Quality Technical Editing

If you are developing a book on a technical subject, DCI is a resource you can depend on for timely and quality technical editing. You see, we've been in the business long enough to understand how your publishing schedule fits together. From the conception of the book to its delivery in the bookstores (and beyond), we're familiar with it all.

We Can Help

Our knowledge and experience make us the perfect choice in your search for a reliable technical editor. Count on us for the speedy service that is so essential in the computer book publishing industry. Expect us to return to you a professionally edited manuscript as expeditiously as it arrived. Experience how we help to improve the technical accuracy of a book.

We Know the Guidelines

For nearly two decades, we've been involved in almost every facet of computer book publishing. We know the pressures you face and the demands placed on you.

In addition, we understand the real reason for a technical editor in the book development process. A tech editor's role is to ensure that a manuscript is accurate, complete, and clear in its presentation of a subject. We have developed specific guidelines (which some publishers have adopted in their editing process) to aid in the book's cohesiveness, particularly in how information is conveyed to the reader. In many respects, a technical editor serves as a "beta tester" for your book-it is much better to let us catch technical errors in your manuscript before the book is published and seen by the reader. Our guidelines separate the editing process into two phases: technical edit and technical review.

The Technical Edit Phase

First, we perform a technical edit. This includes checking accuracy, completeness, and clarity of the manuscript in relation to the subject matter being covered.

  • We use only the most recent version of the software or language.
  • We read carefully through all text to ensure it describes the subject matter completely, accurately, and clearly.
  • We test the manuscript, keystroke-by-keystroke, to verify technical accuracy. We follow the text exactly without assuming anything on the part of the reader.
  • When appropriate, we suggest alternate methods and often provide a re-written example to clarify our findings.
  • We make legible changes in red ink (if working on hard copy) or with revision marks turned on (if working on-line) so you can easily understand our remarks.

The Technical Review Phase

Next, we perform a technical review. This allows us to review the manuscript for its conceptual merit and value of content. This is often a step which is neglected by others.

  • We make sure the book illuminates the reader.
  • We check for thorough coverage of the topic and internal consistency.
  • We make sure the examples and figures are suitable and that there are sufficient numbers of them.
  • If there is anything that could make the manuscript more valuable to the user, we make the appropriate suggestions.

As you can see, these guidelines allow us to perform the very best technical edits for your books and provide a distinct value that you can only get from us. Of course, your guidelines will supersede our own and we will follow them as you instruct. To date, we have provided our services for numerous publishers, including Que, Howard W. Sams, Osborne/McGraw-Hill, Prentice-Hall, and IDG Books Worldwide.

Why is DCI the Best Choice?

There are definite advantages to using our technical editing services when compared with other individuals or companies. You may ask yourself, "Why would I choose DCI instead of another editor?" The answer is simple-you get the best technical editing in the business.

The reasons we are able to make this claim is because DCI:

  • Provides a complete, detailed report of our review of each chapter of the manuscript
  • Applies the combined editing skills of three or more technical editors and cross-edits manuscripts, as required
  • Provides the fastest possible turnaround time for edits

For example, when we perform a tech edit, it is often reviewed by each of our staff members before it is returned to you. This certainly provides more thorough editing and speeds the tech edit process, which results in faster editing turnaround time for you. As you can see, our combined editing skills virtually guarantee technically correct edits. In essence, you get the skill and perspective of many tech editors for the price of one!

What Topics Do We Cover?

At DCI, we are proficient in a great variety of technical areas in virtually all categories. We take pride in our ability to stay abreast of the latest technologies to provide the best tech edit for you:

  • Hardware (IBM compatible and Macintosh)
  • Software (Commercial, Operating System, Games, Multimedia, Emerging Topics)
  • Networking and communications

If you would like a complete list of our areas of expertise, click here.

What Else Can DCI Do For You?

Discovery Computing Inc. (DCI) is a multi-faceted company providing a host of services to many different companies and individuals. Still, we are able to provide you with the one-on-one attention you deserve and expect.

Here are some of the services we have provided and currently provide for many companies:

  • Technical Editing
  • Copy Editing
  • Proofreading
  • Indexing
  • Product Acquisition
  • Project Management
  • Page Layout & Design
  • Typesetting
 
PO Box 2145 Mesa, AZ 85214 ph: 800.628.8280
Copyright © 2008 Discovery Computing Inc. All rights reserved