Category Archives: Pricey

Easel.ly

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Easel.ly is a simple web tool for creating and sharing infographics, posters, and other visuals with no design experience needed. They provide the canvas, you provide the creativity.

How it is useful to technical communicators:

While perhaps not ideal for high-end designs, Easel.ly is an excellent tool for quickly creating vibrant, punchy infographics that convey information through organized visual templates. Use Easel.ly for presentations, as visual aids accompanying other information, or for general diagramming and flowcharts.

Learn more:

You can access Easel.ly on any web browser http://www.easel.ly/. Both free and pro ($3/month) account options are available.

Other software like it:

Infogr.am, Visual.ly

GoTo Meeting

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GoTo Meeting allows video conferencing, screen sharing, and recording of virtual meetings.

How it is useful to technical communicators:

Technical communicators might use GoTo Meeting to communicate with team members and clients, especially if they are not located in the same area.

Learn more:

GoTo Meeting is available on web browsers or mobile devices via an app. For a fee, users can subscribe to a plan that best fits their needs.

Other software like it:

Google Hangout, Skype, WebEx

Camtasia

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Camtasia provides screen recording and video editing tools to create professional videos. You can record movements on the screen, or import existing video files to edit.

How it is useful to technical communicators:

Camtasia can be used for creating instructional videos.

Where you can learn more about it:

You can learn more about Camtasia and purchase the software through the TechSmith website.

Other software like it:

Jing, SnagIt

Snagit

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Snagit is a screen capture and screen recording software.

How it is useful to technical communicators:

Snagit allows technical communicators to develop graphic content.  Snagit uses a scope view when taking a screen shot to help ensure the user has the exact image desired.

Users can also edit the image (crop, resize, dpi, etc.) within the application once the image is captured.

Where you can learn more about it: 

Snagit

Other software like it:

Gimp

MS Paint

Paint.net

Snipping Tool

Jing

Confluence

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Confluence is a software that is used for group collaboration.  It helps groups working on common tasks reach their mutual goals.  Users have the ability to create, discuss, organize, and centralize their projects all on one common and easy to access platform.  Confluence is a paid software, although users have the option to try a free trial version.

How it is useful:

In the field of technical communication, there are many instances in which the technical communicator must work in a group or collaborate on a project.  Technical communicators may also have the opportunity to manage or lead projects.  During these occasions, having resources to collectively use as a group to store and edit content is essential.  A technical communicator is expected to know how to use a number of collaboration-oriented software, so having an understanding of Confluence will benefit the technical communicator.

Where to learn more about it:

To learn more about Confluence, visit the website at the following link:
https://www.atlassian.com/software/confluence
Try out a free trial in order to get hands-on experience with the software before buying it. To try out a free trial version, visit the following link:
https://www.atlassian.com/software/confluence/try

Similar Software:

Bitrix24 is similar in function to Confluence.  This is a more affordable software.  Users can download a free version, although it does not include all Bitrix24 features, or pay monthly in order to obtain the full version of this program.

Bitrix24 allows users to communicate and collaborate all in one location.  To access this software, visit the following website address:
https://www.bitrix24.com/