TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:project ideas From:Miki Magyar <MDM0857 -at- MCDATA -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 1 Feb 1999 12:56:38 -0700
Stacy, you might try picking a shareware program that does something niffy and write an online help for it. There are plenty of excellent programs that are somewhat lacking in the help department, and who knows, the software author might appreciate your efforts too. Ask first, of course. You might start with the ASP (Association of Shareware Professionals): http://www.asp-shareware.org/
Denise Fritch's suggestion is also excellent. I'm all in favor of school projects that serve double duty.
Be sure to save the pieces! Keep copies of the working drafts, storyboards, and anything else that shows the process, not just the end product. Before and after examples are really great stuff for your portfolio.
