Frequently Asked Questions

1. For the online communication competition and for online entries in the technical art competition, what equipment and software will the judges use?
   Entries will be judged with at least a 600-MHz Pentium processor running Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0, or Windows 2000 with an 800 x 600 color monitor and any required software supplied with the entry.
   At least one machine in each platform will have a CD-ROM drive, sound card, and speakers. For Web entries, current versions of standard browser software will be used for judging.

2. On the entry form, should I list my company's name or the name of the individuals who worked on the project? If I list individuals, how many of the people who contributed to the project can I include?
   The goal of STC's competitions is to give credit and recognition to individuals rather than departments or organizations; hence, STC prefers that individuals be named as contributors. However, because collaborative teams often produce works of technical communication, it is acceptable to cite a department or organization as a contributor.
   No more than three contributors can be listed for an entry.
   
   
3. How can I participate in case of a joint production - if part of the work is done in India and the other part is done abroad?
   Joint production entries are not a problem as long as the entry is sent to only one chapter competition. So before sending an entry, confirm with your counterparts in other locations that they are not sending the same entry to another chapter competition.
   

4. Can I send documents in the PDF format for the Technical Publications competition?
   No, you cannot. The Technical Publications competition requires entries to be submitted in the printed format.
   

5. In case of confidential documents, can I send an adapted, toned-down version of the document?
   STC requires that the competition entries be suitable for public display. Entries must be submitted in the same form as they were used. Entries should not be modified or adapted for the competitions.
   

6. Does a document designed for in-house use qualify as published if it is officially released within the organisation as a soft copy with a version number? If the soft copy is approved for future hard-copy release within the organisation, can it qualify as published?
   In the first case, the document would obviously qualify as published. In the second case, it wouldn't because it is approved for publication, but is not published yet.
   

7. How will entries be judged?
   A panel of judges selects winners in the competition categories. The judges have the right to re-categorize entries or to reject an entry and refund the entry fee.
   Technical publications are rated on four factors: writing, graphics, copyediting, and overall integration. All factors are judged in the context of the purpose, content, and organization of the document.
   
   Technical art is judged on how well it visually communicates a technical message. Judges evaluate the visual appeal, technical execution, and presentation of each entry to determine awards based on the entry's strengths and weaknesses.
   Online communication is judged in the context of the entry's stated purpose. Judges evaluate the content, structure, and design of each entry, and make an award determination based on the individual entry's strengths and weaknesses and how well it fulfilled its purpose.
   
   
8. How will I be notified?
   All entries are acknowledged. Whether you win an award or not, you will receive the local judges' evaluations of your entry.
   Winners in the international competitions will be notified before the STC annual conference, which takes place each May. At the conference, all winning entries will be displayed, the Best of Show awards will be presented, and all winners will be honored.
   
   

9. What happens to my entry after the competition?
   Your entry will not be returned unless you make special arrangements with the competition manager and provide adequate and prepaid packaging. If your entry wins a DTC award, it will not be returned unless you notify the local or regional competition manager that you do not want your entry to compete in the international competition.
   No entries are returned from the international competition.

   For further quetions, contact Samir Gaonkar.