FAQ answers

How long has KnowSys Inc. existed?

KnowSys Inc. has been open since February, 1995.
More and more people want to know more about who we are and what we do. 

Since word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to advertise KnowSys Inc., tell your friends.
Encourage them to visit this Web site.

Back to top

Just what is structured documentation?

KnowSys Inc. applies the concepts and guidelines of presenting information in simple, easy-to-read displays on paper or electronic media. Structured documentation is a system of nested modules that make for cost-effective editing, storing, and reusing any portion of the documents.

KnowSys Inc. relies on best practices researched from pivotal works by Edward R. Tufte (The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, Graphics Press, 1997, ISBN 0-961-3921-2-6), William Horton, and Bob Horn (Visual Language: Global Communication for the 21st Century Bainbridge Island, WA: MacroVU, Inc., 1998, 98110 ISBN 0-892637-09-X. Box 366, 321 High School Rd. NE, Bainbridge Island, WA).

KnowSys Inc. adds value to these pioneer works by defining and applying the critical thinking skills necessary to display and tag eight basic types/fields of information: e.g., situational and procedural action, concept, metaconcept, principle, structure, process, and fact.

Back to top

What does a structured document look like?

KnowSys Inc. has applied the concepts and principles of structured documentation within the pages of this Web site. Here are links to printed documents in Adobe Acrobat (*.pdf display):

• (04 pp) KnowSys seminar Display practice With comments about structured features
• (07 pp) KnowSys template for MSWord Time-saver for creating document system
• (32 pp) Where do we start? Problem-solving, decision-making, and situation analysis
• (09 pp) ProPower seminar excerpt With comments about structured features
• (44 pp) ProPower seminar worksheets Print-format version of ProPower ToolBook

Back to top

Who uses KnowSys?

KnowSys Inc. helps technical writers, knowledge managers, and instructional system designers to create, develop, and store reusable information modules. Results: valid and reliable documentation and knowledge-management systems.

Back to top

Why name the site Knowbiz, not KnowSys?

KnowSys Inc. is a corporate entity in the State of Washington. When the webmaster registered the domain name, KnowSys was not available. Knowbiz--like showbiz--was an easily recalled alternative.

Back to top

What does "metacognition mean?

Metacognition means "thinking about thinking," just as "metaconcept" means a concept about a concept.

Please examine these references for further information:

• Metacognition - Overview by Jennifer A. Livingston
• Metacognition - Article from North Central Educational Research Laboratory
• Metacognition - Psychology Degree Online--Gain insight for your psychology career
• Metacognition - Study Guides and Strategies: Learning to learn
• Metacognition - Wikipedia article
• Metacognition - EduTech Wiki article

Back to top