RE: Status of the Technical Writer

[Yves JEAUROND <jingting -at- rogers -dot- com>]

If you look for books about technical writing before the 1950s, 
  technical writing is mostly secretarial: neat typing, mailings,
how to grease a typewriter. and so on. Akin to a scientist/technician pairing.
  The scientist used a chalkboard, a tape recorder and scribbled notes;
  his secretary, and the printer got the pubs going.
   
  Have things changed that much? Sure, the means have gotten
  sophisticated--neat HTML, mail merge, how to install SW and
  printer cartridges... But it's still an engineer/TW pairing. 
Or boss (bank, military, production facility) and a writer to do
 the bidding; all from badly formatted docs, emails and voice mails. :-)
   
   
  Regards, 
   
  YJ

"Cardimon, Craig" <ccardimon -at- M-S-G -dot- com> a écrit :
  That's why I'm thinking perhaps we should study up on the science of
writing, the science of communication, as well as on science in general,
and take a gentle step sideways into science writing.

A science writer writes about science. That can be cool. Think Carl
Sagan. I've heard science writers on the radio. A technical writer
writes about technical. No, that can't be right. A technical writer
writes about technical things. But to most people, technical equals
boring. Let the technical stuff wait. As long as possible. To the last
minute. Hey, wait a minute! See the problem?

Try this the next time you're at a party. Tell someone you are a science
writer instead of a technical writer. Use a little spin. I became a
computer science writer. I did that in an elevator in Las Vegas. The
results were stunning. I got wows instead of nods. Just try it. Your
mileage may vary.

Craig

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as jingting -at- rogers -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/jingting%40rogers.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.