Google+ Button Upgrade

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Google Plus +1 button (old)

Farewell quad-color G+ button, we hardly knew you and we may forget about you.

Say goodbye to the quad-color G+ button. We loved you, but Google migrated to the new red +1 button today.

One week ago, the folks at Google Plus announced the change on their Plus One Developers blog. What this means is G+ is moving forward and not looking back. It appears that almost instantly the new +1 button appeared everywhere around the internet–including here.

According to the Google+ Page, there were mixed reaction about the new change, but it appears that the change makes it identifiable when compared to other share buttons that are next to each other.

Share Buttons

New G+ share button alongside Twitter and Facebook

This new change also keeps the logos consistent with the G+ favicon and G+ badges. This update is probably the most likely reason why they chose to change the +1 button. What do you think? Do you like it or dislike it?

Have you noticed the change? Need to freshen up your +1 button and badge collection? G+ has you covered.

 

New Article: Technical Communication Insight from Neil Perlin

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Hi everyone, I want to let you know that the awesome folks over at TechWhirl have graciously published my interview with Neil Perlin from LavaCon 2011.

In this interview, I spoke with Neil who has been in the field of technical communication for more than 33 years. While my intent was to cover content strategy with him, we talked a little bit about why technical communication is fun too! Please stop by TechWhirl and read the latest article: “The More Things Change…Technical Communication Insight from Neil Perlin.”

Author’s note: I use the term “technical communication” everywhere, however the style guide for TechWhirl utilizes “technical communications” instead.

iFixit: how repair manuals should look like

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What can technical communicators learn from iFixit.com? This site offers step-by-step instructions for users to repair their own devices easily and cost-effectively. While iFixit proudly says their website “is the free repair manual that you can edit,” it also is the “hidden” manual that anyone can use and contribute to.

iFixit Guide

iFixit has several thousand guides and user-contributed solutions for a variety of devices, appliances, and vehicles on the website.

I first used iFixit when my MacBook had a hard drive attack in 2010. I was worried how complicated and costly it may be to replace my drive in my beloved Apple laptop. As a college student, the economics are simple: buy a $50 hard drive from NewEgg.com or pay about $150 in repair costs from the Apple store.

If someone has the patience and organization to take apart their devices, this website makes repairs extremely affordable and easy. The benefits may outweigh the risks if users are comfortable with the slight risk of damaging their own property.

iFixit - color-coded-system

This example shows the color-coded system which the dots and circles correspond to the correct screwdriver size.

What can we learn from this website that we, as technical communicators, can apply elsewhere in help documents? iFixit’s manuals are extremely useful because of these simple principles:

  • Step-by-step instructions
  • High quality large photos
  • Consistent directions and warnings

Their manuals are helpful because of the quality of the content available. For example, each step has specific directions, color-coded labels, and sometimes a warning symbol for disassembling devices.

One issue I have with computer manuals is the diagrams and pictures hardly show the positioning of tools or hands to demonstrate how something can be taken apart.  This human and practical element is great to have because users can relate to and follow instructions easily without imagining where hands or tools are placed. It also does not benefit the user to display arrow pointing to where the tool needs to go either. A computer-generated arrow never should replace screwdrivers, spudger tools, or hands. Let me repeat, arrows are great but not the same.

iFixit - hand, spudger, and warning

This example shows simple instructions, a clear picture, and a warning symbol for repairing a MacBook.

The second aspect I truly believe is important is user feedback and contributions. iFixit’s manuals are editable in a wiki so if anyone reads a repair manual and finds an improvement, they can add it to the manual.

In conclusion, we can see how iFixit’s examples can be a model for how we can write online repair and assembly manuals. Their approach is rather innovative and simple and we can learn how to improve our documentation with real-world scenarios and user feedback.

I recommend that you use this site, contribute your technical communication expertise, and buy replacement parts from them. By supporting iFixit.com, not only do you save money, you learn something new and keep fewer devices from becoming trash and causing further environmental issues. For more information, read their mission and manifesto.