Monthly Meeting
The Berkeley chapter meets the second Wednesday of the month.As a reminder, since March 2001, our meeting location is the Silver Dragon Chinese restaurant, which is in downtown Oakland on Webster near 8th.
As a result of our change of venue, our dinner pricing structure has increased by $3. STC members now pay $20, nonmembers pay $23, and students pay $17. The meeting-only prices remain the same: $12 for STC members or nonmembers and $10 for students.
There are two ways to RSVP:
-
RSVP using our
online storefront.
Use your MasterCard, AMEX, or Visa card to pay for your reservation. Please enjoy our new online payment feature. -
RSVP by regular mail.
Please send your payment by check (payable to Berkeley STC) to:
Ruth Wright
586 Vernon Street
Oakland, CA 94610
In either case, reservations for dinner must be received by noon on the Tuesday prior to the meeting.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 11, 2001
Let's Get Technical--Documenting APIs
with Jim Bisso
Have you ever had to document an application program interface or API? Does the idea make you shudder? Fear not--help is at hand. Jim Bisso, president of Bitzone, LLC in Richmond, California will help make it all okay with his presentation at the April STC meeting, When I Grow Up I Want To Document APIs.
For any of you new to the subject, an API is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. A good API allows programmers to write applications that will be consistent with the operating environment. They guarantee that all programs using a common API will have a similar user interface, making it easier for users to learn new programs.
Mr. Bisso's talk will examine how to approach the task of documenting APIs. You'll learn who your audience is, how to write API documentation, how to interview your information source and other tips. He'll share online and print resources for writing API documentation.
Mr. Bisso has an extensive background in teaching, both through Bitzone's training programs and at the university level at Golden Gate University, San Jose State Extension, UC Berkeley Extension, and Mills College. A member of Berkeley STC, he gave a well-received talk on this subject to the East Bay chapter and on Java to Silicon Valley.
Please join us on Wednesday, April 11th, to learn more about this vital area of the technical writing trade.
Reservations must be received by the morning of the Tuesday prior to the meeting.
Program Ideas?
If you have a suggestion for a meeting topic you'd like to hear more about or if you'd like to be a presenter, send an email to Ruth Wright, VP of Programs.
Fees
For the meeting and dinner:
- Members: $20
- Non-members: $23
- Student members: $17
To attend the program only:
- Members and non-members: $12
- Students: $10
Please remember that if you wish to come to the dinner, your reservation must be received by the Monday prior to the meeting. You can reserve your spot by paying online or by mailing a check to Ruth Wright, 586 Vernon, Oakland, CA 94610. If you wish to attend the program only, you can pay at the door.
For information on how to become a member, click here.
Agenda
- 6:00 -- Networking, conversation, no-host bar
- 6:30 -- Buffet served
- 7:15 -- Chapter business, announcements, jobs available*
- 7:30 -- Formal program
- 8:30 -- Conversation, off-line questions for the speakers, follow-up on job announcements
- 9:30 -- Clear the room, move conversations to the sidewalk
*Attendees are encouraged to announce open positions. Please bring job listings for distribution. Recruiters may introduce themselves, but may not describe open positions in detail. Save that for one-on-one after the program.
Location
Silver Dragon Restaurant835 Webster, Oakland, CA
510-893-3748
(downtown Oakland near 8th St., walking distance from the Oakland City Center/12th St. BART station)