TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
The origins of task-oriented writing as a preference
Subject:The origins of task-oriented writing as a preference From:Mark Dempsey <mxd2 -at- osi -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L, a list for all technical communication issues" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 28 Jan 2000 08:25:10 -0800
Our management has discovered we need "task-oriented" writing rather
than "reference-oriented" writing in our manuals.
IMHO, the impetus toward task-oriented writing began with popularly
available software (Word, Quicken, etc.), and is focussed on a large
audience of relatively computer-illiterated users. The "For Dummies"
books also address this audience.
Can anyone tell me the origins of this movement toward task-orientation
in writing?
Has anyone had any experience surveying computer-savvy users of more
complicated software (like ours) to see whether they want tasks or
reference information?
--
Regards,
-- mailto:Mark -dot- Dempsey -at- osi -dot- com
--
-- Mark Dempsey
-- Technical Publications
-- Objective Systems Integrators
-- 101 Park Way, Folsom, CA 95630
-- 916.353.2400 x 4777
