Below is a list of frequently asked questions about me:

• Do you work on site?

  Depending on the type of project, I can work on site for any length of time. I can permanently/semi-permanently relocate to your area if provided relocation assistance. On-site product visitation and SME interviews are always preferred. Please contact me for further information.

• What do your services cost?

  Services can be billed either time-and-materials or fixed bid, depending on the services requested. All services are billed at extremely competitive rates, as defined by the Society for Technical Communication (STC). If you already have technical communication or information design services staffed in-house, I can work within your typical pay rates. Please contact me for specific details or quotes. All fees are in US dollars. Initial deposits and milestone payments are specific to each project.

• When are you available?

  I’m available anytime, including weekends. I’ve been known to pull all-nighters as frequently as needed. Have a last-minute, urgent project? No problem!

• Does TechnicalScribe have multiple employees?

  TechnicalScribe is Amanda Platter; however, for complex services, like translation or localization, I have partners I work with. Much like a product development company might have partner manufacturers, I have partners in various industries. This ensures quality results. Whether I’m working with my chosen partners or yours, I ensure seamless integration of all services. All partners follow the same agreements, including non-disclosure, and are available to sign any additional contracts or agreements you desire.

• What is information design?

  According to the IIID (International Institute for Information Design), information design is the "defining, planning, and shaping of the contents of a message and the environments it is presented in with the intention of achieving particular objectives in relation to the needs of user" (26 May 2004, IIID Definitions). Essentially, information design is the process of making information more usable and understandable through intelligent design. "It may encompass the information aspects of industrial design (labels, knobs, and the physical interface), information content design, page design, Web site design, illustration design, typography decisions, and so forth. Information design can be applied to a single work, such as a city map, or to a corporation’s entire set of customer information. The output may be part of an information plan, a separate information design document, or simply the designed object or set of objects." (26 May 2004, searchCRM.com Definitions, Information Design).

• What is technical communication?

  Technical communication, sometimes referred to as simply "technical writing" (although there is much more involved than merely writing), is the process of communicating information to a very specific audience. The goal is to communicate accurate ideas or instructions in a manner that eliminates all ambiguity. Communication typically involves both textual and visual mediums, but may include other channels for communication. Examples would be a set of instructions for assembling a machine, a description of scientific phenomena, and a step-by-step video showing mitotic division.

• What type of standards do you use?

  I can write/edit/draw to meet the following standards:

  • Style Guides:

    Associated Press, Chicago Manual of Style, Microsoft^® Manual of Style for Technical Publications, MLA, others

  • International and Federal Regulations:

    ANSI, FDA, EMC, EN, FTC, IEC, IEEE, ISO, MIL, UL, others (I’m especially familiar with regulations for electronic medical devices)

• Where are you located?

  I am currently located in Kansas City, MO; however, I can permanently or semi-permanently relocate to your area if provided relocation assistance. I can also work from home, with limited on-site visits. Please contact me for further information.