Category Archives: Andrea’s blogs

GE, NCR Lead “Reshoring” Trend

August 8, 2011Andrea's blogs, Tech Industry NewsArchstone Consulting, CP Lab Safety, Dezan Shira, Diagnostic Devices, Farouk Systems, General Electric, inshoring, NCR, offshoring, reshoring, Sleek Audio, technical writingPTPAndreaW

GeoSpring3 — GE GeoSpring™ Hybrid Heater

Faced with rising costs, General Electric moved production of a new energy-efficient hotwater heater halfway around the world – to Kentucky. CP Lab Safety moved manufacturing from China to California to cut costs. Tesla moved final assembly of its battery packs to California to minimize delivery delays to customers.

In a recent blog, I discussed some of the drawbacks of offshoring manufacturing jobs (“Boeing 787 Illustrates The Dangers of Offshoring,”). Today I am writing about a growing trend in manufacturing: “reshoring” jobs back to the United States. Continue reading GE, NCR Lead “Reshoring” Trend →

How to Write Using Plain Language (Not!)

May 31, 2011Andrea's blogs, Technical Writing Humortechnical writing, technical writing humorPTPAndreaW

Here is a bit of tech-writing humor, courtesy of PlainLanguage.gov (http://www.plainlanguage.gov/examples/humor/technologywriters.cfm). This helpful website gives tips for writing clear, readable documents. It also reminds us with humor what NOT TO DO when developing technical documents. Continue reading How to Write Using Plain Language (Not!) →

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Illustrates the Dangers of Offshoring

March 3, 2011Andrea's blogs, Tech Industry NewsBoeing, Dreamliner, offshoring, outsourcing, Paul Krugman, San Francisco Bay AreaPTPAndreaW

Outsourcing to offshore vendors appears very attractive as a cost saving measure. However, there are inherent dangers that a company must address before committing to an offshore business model, or possibly face costly consequences later. Continue reading Boeing 787 Dreamliner Illustrates the Dangers of Offshoring →

Why You Can’t Rely on Spell Check!

January 27, 2011Andrea's blogs, Technical Writing HumorSan Francisco Bay Area, technical writingPTPAndreaW

I halve a spelling checker;
It came with my pea sea.
It plainly marks four my revue
Mistakes I dew not sea.
I’ve sent this message threw it,
And I’m shore pleased to no
It’s letter perfect in its weigh;
My checker tolled me sew.

Continue reading →

Labyrinths, March 2010

January 10, 2011Andrea's blogs, PTP Outdoor AdventuresBerkeley, hike, hiking, San Francisco Bay Area, Sibley Park, technical writingPTPAndreaW

Medieval labyrinth: Though the way is long and unclear, stay on the path and you will find the center.
Silicon Valley labyrinth: Yeah, whatever, just get to the point.

(Taken at Sibley Park in Berkeley)

When Andrea is not hiking, she is a Senior Technical Writer at Phoenix Technical Publications. Phoenix Tech Pubs has provided complete technical writing and documentation services in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 25 years.

Mission Peak, December 2010

January 6, 2011Andrea's blogs, PTP Outdoor AdventuresEd Levin Park, Fremont, Lake Del Valle, Mission Peak, Ohlone Park, San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose, Sunol Wilderness, technical writing, Willow GlenPTPAndreaW

Living in the South Bay, I have heard many people talk about “doing” Mission Peak. When I heard one conversation talking about PR’s to the top, I knew I had to take the challenge. Continue reading Mission Peak, December 2010 →

Hiking in a Post-Industrial Wilderness, October 2009

January 6, 2011Andrea's blogs, PTP Outdoor AdventuresAlmaden Quicksilver, Boy Scout Troop 466, San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose, technical writingPTPAndreaW

I hiked the historic Quicksilver Trail in Almaden Quicksilver Park in San Jose in October 2009 . Boy Scout Troop 466 compiled the historical information about this hike as an Eagle project. The trail takes you past the ruins of the first economic boom of San Jose – the New Almaden Quicksilver Mine. Continue reading Hiking in a Post-Industrial Wilderness, October 2009 →

40 Tips for Proper English

January 6, 2011Andrea's blogs, Technical Writing HumorEnglish language, humor, San Francisco Bay Area, tech writing, technical writingPTPAndreaW

40 Tips for Proper English

1. Avoid alliteration. Always.
2. Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
4. Employ the vernacular.
5. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
6. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary. Continue reading 40 Tips for Proper English →