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Tester wanted (for a semester-long project)
https://archive.holyworlds.org/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=8965		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  kingjon [ September 3rd, 2014, 10:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Tester wanted (for a semester-long project)
I'm taking a Technical Writing class this semester that requires me to write just one, but quite lengthy, technical document on a subject of my choice. And for this paper I'm supposed to have at least one specific person in mind as my target audience, whom I will (if I remember the syllabus and discussion properly) have to ask to evaluate (test) what I produce.

My strongest idea was "Typesetting and E-Publishing a Poetry Collection with LaTeX," which would cover producing a PDF (suitable for printing at home or sending to something like CreateSpace) and EPUB and Kindle format ebooks. But I didn't have any specific "target user" lined up yet, and when I asked for volunteers over in the Poetry Craft room, there weren't any takers by the time I had to submit my proposal. So now I'm looking for a "target user"/"tester" for a slightly different project: "Typesetting and E-Publishing Fiction with LaTeX."

When complete, these instructions will allow a somewhat-technically-inclined writer (if you can make text in a Holy Worlds post italic without highlighting it and clicking the button every time, you qualify) to turn a work of fiction into professional-looking print(able) and e-book formats, without having to fight Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, or another "word processor."

Would an HolyWorlder like to volunteer to work with me as I produce this project over the course of this semester? You'd need to answer questions to help me tailor the document specifically to you, and then read, test, and give feedback on the document as I develop it.

(After a question in the previous thread, I should also specify that you'll need to have access to a computer on which you can install software.)
Author:  Faith_Blum [ September 5th, 2014, 6:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tester wanted (for a semester-long project)
Do you have any rough estimates as to how long it will take over the course of the semester?
Author:  kingjon [ September 10th, 2014, 12:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tester wanted (for a semester-long project)
(I'm sorry for the late reply; I was affected by a city-wide Internet outage from Friday until Monday evening)

Good question, but one I can't give anything like a firm answer to---it's a "fifteen week project," and the time requirement for me is probably on the order of a thousand hours, but I don't have a good sense of the other side of it.

However, after consulting my professor (who told me basically what I should have known already from reading the syllabus), I can say that a "target user" will be chiefly needed at four stages:
  • in the "audience analysis" stage, this week and next, for answering questions (essentially a survey)
  • Before my "alpha" deadline, near the end of October; I shouldn't demand that my user(s) read more than a representative section (~5 pages?) at that stage, I think.
  • Before my "beta" deadline, in mid-November. This is when I'll probably want my user(s) to read and try out, as appropriate, the whole thing.
  • And before my final deadlines (the project is due the beginning of December, but a possibly-updated version is to be included in a "portfolio" due a week later ...), if I make any significant changes after the "beta."

Does that help?
Author:  Faith_Blum [ September 10th, 2014, 5:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tester wanted (for a semester-long project)
(Not a problem. That is completely understandable.)

That does help. I would be willing to try it out.
Author:  kingjon [ September 13th, 2014, 1:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tester wanted (for a semester-long project)
Miss Elizabeth wrote:
That does help. I would be willing to try it out.

Thank you! I'll send you (would a PM here be best?) the "user analysis" survey I'm developing early next week.
Author:  Faith_Blum [ September 13th, 2014, 4:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tester wanted (for a semester-long project)
You're welcome!

Is it a link or a document? If it is a document, you may have to do email as I don't think attachments work right now.
Author:  kingjon [ September 13th, 2014, 6:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tester wanted (for a semester-long project)
It'll either be a link to a Google Form or a list of questions to quote and reply to.
Author:  Faith_Blum [ September 13th, 2014, 6:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tester wanted (for a semester-long project)
Okay, that will work then. :) Thanks!
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