Technical Communcation: the Good, the Bad, and the Really Bad http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/ An Extra Credit Project for 3562: Technical and Professional Writing en Copyright 2008 Wed, 14 May 2008 18:53:46 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.33.uthink http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Land Ho! cruiseships.jpg

From http://www.istad.org/graphics/cruiseships.jpg

Let's just hope that no cruise ships will actually be needing to use the airport exit.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/land_ho.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/land_ho.html Wed, 14 May 2008 18:53:46 -0600 Good luck! signgoodluck.jpg

From: http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh/images/03/signgoodluck.htm

If the sign wishes you good luck, clearly you are going to need some.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/good_luck.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/good_luck.html Wed, 14 May 2008 15:05:52 -0600 Oops! funny_sign_03.jpg

There might need to be some repainting...

http://www.consultpivotal.com/funny_sign_03.jpg

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/oops.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/oops.html Wed, 14 May 2008 14:34:20 -0600 Just for One Day? 2180720362_2d5815613e.jpg

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/just_for_one_day.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/just_for_one_day.html Wed, 14 May 2008 14:26:51 -0600 NOBODY MOVE. Cul_de_sac.jpg
from www1.yatahonga.com

A "DEAD END" sign might just do the trick.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/nobody_move.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/nobody_move.html Wed, 14 May 2008 08:36:48 -0600 Bad advertising IGA-sign-posting-Idaho-pot.jpg

An example of why it can be important to spell out the complete word! I'm thinking this just might be illegal...

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/bad_advertising.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/bad_advertising.html Tue, 13 May 2008 20:51:31 -0600 Poor Hierarchy of Importance sharpedges.jpg

If the text about the bridge was larger, then people would not have to come anywhere near this sharp and dangerous sign.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/poor_hierarchy_of_importance.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/poor_hierarchy_of_importance.html Mon, 12 May 2008 20:28:19 -0600 Local Examples I really wanted to find some local examples.

Mn the sunshine state.jpg

I thought Florida was the sunshine state.

taxidermy.jpg

Of all the Taxidermy/Cheese shops...this is clearly the finest. This may not be the best example because it is very straightforward, but it is one of my favorite signs. It was in River Falls, WI until a few years ago.

snellman mn Jim Frazier Flickr.jpg

I wonder if they do take out orders?
Snellman,MN

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/local_examples.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/local_examples.html Mon, 12 May 2008 20:01:58 -0600 Poorly worded roadside sign 2419588779_94ce065f86.jpg

Obviously the sign is saying you can eat and fill your car up with gas. I doubt the diner would intentionally tell potential customers that their food would give them gas.

I found the picture at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcorduroy/2419588779/in/pool-monthlyhunt

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/poorly_worded_roadside_sign.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/poorly_worded_roadside_sign.html Mon, 12 May 2008 19:48:43 -0600 Bad Instructions


Like a few other classmates, I too am a huge fan of Jay Leno's "Headlines" because they are real examples of bad communication, unlike Conan O'Brien's fake ones. ;)

This particular "headline" reminded me of our instruction assignment, where clarity was crucial. This is a great example of the an instructional manual that WAS NOT proofread. ;)

-Alison Sigafoos

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/bad_instructions.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/bad_instructions.html Mon, 12 May 2008 19:06:33 -0600 WRONG WAY!! trainwreck.bmp
(picture from http://www1.yatahonga.com/)

A case of poor communication?

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/wrong_way.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/wrong_way.html Mon, 12 May 2008 13:59:34 -0600 The Evolution of Long Distance Communication: From your colleague Jamie:

622991241_5453f05d30_o.gif


]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/the_evolution_of_long_distance.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/the_evolution_of_long_distance.html Fri, 09 May 2008 14:13:59 -0600 I love Diesel Fried Chicken!! DieselChic.jpg

(http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/pictures/picture_road_signs.htm#1)_Diesel_Fried_Chicken_)


I think this sign is just really humorous but could easily be confusing to someone who is not similar with truck stops. What if someone actually thinks they cook the chicken with diesel? I also noticed how cheap gas and diesel are in this picture close to $1.00

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/i_love_diesel_fried_chicken.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/i_love_diesel_fried_chicken.html Fri, 09 May 2008 10:41:02 -0600 Road Surprises? road_surprises.jpg

(http://www.guy-sports.com/fun_pictures/road_surprises.jpg)

What does road surprises mean? If I saw this sign I would not want to continue driving on that road!

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/road_surprises.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/road_surprises.html Fri, 09 May 2008 10:37:02 -0600 What A Deal At Walmart!! WM1.jpg

Picture found at: (http://www.dis-equilibrium.com/2007/09/wal-marts-low-prices-were-yesterday.html)

I used this picture of a Walmart sign because I see this all the time in the stores. I wonder who puts these signs up and do they not realize what they are doing? I think when I see things like this that they are really funny, but unprofessional.

~Lydia

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/what_a_deal_at_walmart.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/hende246/3562spring2008/2008/05/what_a_deal_at_walmart.html Fri, 09 May 2008 10:15:52 -0600