Re: Purpose Driven Technical Writing

Subject: Re: Purpose Driven Technical Writing
From: Al Geist <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 07:14:29 -0700


Okay...pet peeve time. According to Theodore A. Cheney in "Getting the Words Right,"

"Utilize is not an elegant variation of the word use; it has its own distinct meaning. When you utilize something, you make do with something not normally used for that purpose, e.g., you 'utilize' a dime when a bloody screwdriver is nowhere to be found. If the screwdriver where there, you'd 'use' it, not utilize the stupid dime for the purpose. The computer went off-line, so tehy utilized Mr. Wangs abacus, the one he liked to use. Despite the temporary breakdown, the computer's use-rate was up (not its utilization rate)."

So, you would have "extensive experience using rigorous end-user task analysis techniques...."

This is not to say that I agree with any of Tony's DFD arguments. I agree with Oja that they appear to be nothing more than a new name for a flow chart, something that has been used since code was printed on Hollerith cards.

sburnf -at- au1 -dot- ibm -dot- com wrote:

"Stuart, I have extensive expertise utilizing rigorous end-user task analysis techniques - Data Flow Diagrams - to design end-user friendly documentation."


--

Al Geist, Geist Associates
From Concept to Completion
Technical Writing, Online Help Applications, Marketing Collateral, Web Design, Award Winning Video, Professional Photography
Office: 505-294-8855

Cell: 505-400-4128
E-mail: al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com <mailto:al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>
URL: www.geistassociates.com

"When the situation is absolutely hopeless, you have nothing to worry about."
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