Category Archives: Skill Level

Moodle

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Moodle is an integrated system to create personalised learning environments for educators and learners.

How it is useful to technical communicators:

Moodle is more closely related to instructional design. It is used for blended learning, distance education, flipped classroom and other e-learning projects in schools, universities, workplaces and other sectors. Moodle offers a wide range of features that can be used for e-learning like:

  • Integrating videos
  • Linking google docs
  • Building quizzes
  • Calendar
  • Gradebook

Where you can learn more about it:

Moodle

Other software like it:

DigitalChalk
Efront

PureText

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PureText is a program which removes formatting from webpages and other documents to paste as plain text without going through Notepad.  This program does not install and is easily started from whereever the user has placed the file by double-clicking on the icon.

How it is useful to technical communicators:

Many a times we need to copy content and paste it to our workspace. In order to remove formatting we need to copy and paste it first to a notepad and then to our workspace. PureText saves this time. Instead of copying it on to another editor we can simply use a different key press combination to paste text which is cleared for formatting.

For applications like Microsoft Word an Adobe Framemaker, where formatting takes a little more time, PureText comes handy as it pastes content with the formatting style which exists on the line that it is pasted to.

Where you can learn more about it:

PureText

Other software like it:

Ditto
CopyQ

oTranscribe

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oTranscribe helps users transcribe audio recordings into text by combining an audio player and word processor onto a single webpage.

How it is useful to technical communicators:

Transcribing audio files can be a time-consuming process, but oTranscribe makes it easier by enabling users to listen to audio files and type at the same time. Users no longer have to juggle multiple windows to switch from listening to word processing.

Where you can learn more about it:

oTranscribe website

Other software like it:

Alternatives to oTranscribe involve the simultaneous use of a word processing program like Microsoft Word and an audio player program such as Audacity or iTunes.

Pinterest

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Pinterest is a virtual bulletin board on which users can collect, organize, and store images that link to online content.

How it is useful to technical communicators:

Pinterest is often associated with recipes, craft ideas, and hobbies, but it can also be useful for organizing online material for classes and internships. Pinterest boards can help visual learners more easily keep track of online resources because images are paired with the content.

Where you can learn more about it:

Pinterest

Pinterest Help Center

Other software like it:

Pinterest is similar to a web browser’s “Bookmarks” folder, but it is organized visually.

Pocket allows users to store internet content to access later. It has a visual interface similar to Pinterest’s.

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/