Newsletters 2007

From January 2008, all new newsletter articles are posted on the CyberText Newsletter website.

Issue #25, December 2007 (PDF - 75KB)

Final newsletter in current format
Windows: Capture CMD box text
Windows: Colour code Windows folders
Word 2003: Modify TOC (Table of Contents) styles
Outlook 2003: Three handy tips: Map button to find a contact's address, delay outbound email, double check email addresses before sending
Keyboard shortcuts for hundreds of software applications
Interesting websites: world clock, Google searching, shipping goods from US websites to Australia, YouTube/Flash converters/downloaders, free scientific articles, Word 2007's numbering explained, octothorpes, DOS commands

Issue #24, September 2007 (PDF - 60KB)

Windows: Copying an error message
CyberText Bookstore: A new service. My recommendations for technical writing books and other items
Case Study: Editing the instructions for a quilt kit
Software: Handy applications for a USB device; PhraseExpress
Humour (maybe!): "Lies told to technical writers"
Interesting websites: See how your website displays in Internet Explorer 5 through 7; tools to make long URLs small; different ways to say "no"

Issue #23, June 2007 (PDF - 96KB)

Word: Accented characters; Letterheads
Windows: Finding 'lost' windows
Software: SmartDraw special discount
Fun stuff: Two great recipe websites; 2006 Word of the Year
Interesting websites: The world's biggest 'how-to' online manual; how popular is your website; calculating the real cost of gourmet coffees etc.; test your reaction time; bad labelling; measurement converters.
User experience levels: One person's definitions of Beginner, Novice, and Expert.

Issue #22, March 2007 (PDF - 85KB)

Google tips: Searching strategies, Google Maps available now for Australia, Google search mashup
Word: Random text generator
Fun stuff: Baby boomer list
Interesting websites: Make thousands of face combinations; ask 20 questions; hand out a fake phone number; read the "Change This" manifesto on "You are being lied to"
Software: DoubleKiller - find all those duplicate files on your system
Podcasts: Try the Open Culture directory for filtered podcasts

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Our clients say:

Rhonda is a powerhouse on many levels; technically she is exceptional. The job we asked her to do was not for the faint hearted. ... She has a veteran tech editor’s eye for detail with a talent for spotting trouble (and working out a solution) well before it hits...

You have been an invaluable asset to our team and will be sorely missed. Your instant responses to my endless, and sometimes very random, requests have been priceless to me. You are a walking, talking encyclopedia of technical [writing] information...

You made my dry and boring manuscript sing! I just love it every time you do this and I never get tired of seeing your magic... I can just dump my thoughts and get it polished up by a real professional... It amazes me how you do this in such short time.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your enormous contribution to the production of the [Environmental Management Plans], etc. Your commitment, flexibility, excellent technical skills and cool head are very much appreciated.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with such a true professional. Your attention to detail, ability to jump in and solve numerous challenges and your provision of support at really tough times is exceptional.

A superwoman in the world of communication. Your knowledge and experience extended beyond that of just a technical writer which meant we were able call on your expertise in many areas of our business.

A big thanks for your work - you're a great team member, despite us not being able to see you each day.

Rhonda Bracey was perfect for the last session - her clearly vast experience in reviewing user interfaces combined with her humour and desire for us to know had us ending on a high note. Truck loads of information energetically delivered.

My colleague and I talk about you and Char so much as the gods of Author-it; we refer to your amazing wisdom on the user group every day.

You are indeed a very dynamic speaker, easy to listen to as well as delivering an enjoyable talk.

Wow, I can see why you're the writer and I'm not. I can't believe how fast you were able to turn my words around, how well you edited it to get to the essence of the message, and how you made my clumsy and bloated document into a slick Quick Reference Card.

Your materials on Training 101: Learn how to train are some of the most comprehensive and well organised that I've seen in the past twenty years of my training and education management career.

Rhonda, this is indeed excellent work. Yet another example of the incredibly high standard of work you produce. Well done and thanks.

I'm following your excellent instructions for customising HTML output for Author-it. Thanks to your instructions, I now have a fully operational HTML site, and my boss is very impressed!

I was very pleased with the thoroughness and quality of your editorial feedback. You've really helped to smooth out the multiple origins of the text and tame some of those sentences I just couldn't face again.

The format in which you have set out the pattern is much more readable and easy to follow than the way I have been setting out my instructions. You have done me a HUGE favour... I really appreciate all the work, time and effort you put into reformatting my pattern!

I can thoroughly recommend Rhonda's technical writing skills and services to any future client.

You have an ordered and logical approach to a task, and your feedback is well-researched, relevant, and valuable. Most valuable, I think, is your attention to usability issues. Your working style is friendly, efficient, and thorough, thorough, thorough!

I think you're one of the best in your field. It's been really great working with you.

I've worked with Rhonda for some 5 and a half years, and have always been impressed with her professionalism, work ethic, attention to detail, and her ability to 'get things done' on time and on budget.

I just wanted to let you know that I have been going through the (user) manuals for the latest version and have found them extremely helpful. So manuals do get used! It has really saved me asking 101 questions as I have been able to find the answers through them.

Thanks for a great session on customizing Author-it's HTML output — it was one of the most useful conference sessions I've ever attended.

...it has to be one of the best help files I have worked with. It is clear and concise, the prolific links mean I never have to search. The layout is neat and uncluttered—I am very impressed.

I absolutely love your work! You've done such a sensational job. To be honest, it [the user guide] nearly brought me to tears—that's how happy I was.

I adored your [Training] presentation. It was absolutely fantastic. You provided specific, practical tools and strategies that you've developed, used, and perfected from real life experiences; and the presentation and materials were extremely clear, easy to understand, and organized.

Thank you for your quick turnaround on the Manual and the quick start guide... Your work looks excellent and I am very happy with the outcome.

You certainly have the [editing] job with us for all of our major publications. I didn't know that anyone was as pedantic as me!

Best presentation of the conference. I looked forward to this and I wasn't disappointed — a tsunami of valuable information. Incredibly useful.

Your impact on our professionalism was unmistakable—you helped us move from an idea to a professional outfit. I really appreciate your efforts and the quality of your work. Your talent and discipline assures your success.

Your speed and excellent work standard was greatly appreciated.

Rhonda solved a tricky Word problem for us. She worked quickly, thoroughly investigated and explained all the options and kept us updated throughout the whole process. She's an absolute professional and a delight to work with.

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