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.
Some say technical writing is derives from UX. Others say UX derives from technical writing.
Kind of like a family. Everyone belongs but someone is always upset with someone else.
~Craig
-----Original Message-----
From: Janoff, Steven [mailto:Steven -dot- Janoff -at- hologic -dot- com]
Sent: Monday, March 21, 2016 1:58 PM
To: TechWhirl (techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com) <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>; Tony Chung <tonyc -at- tonychung -dot- ca>; Cardimon, Craig <ccardimon -at- M-S-G -dot- com>
Subject: RE: "Surviving the Dying Career of Technical Writing"
Agree with Tony.
Some of the info in the article is good, but the "sky is falling" stuff is over the top.
Their only source of info (at least cited) is an MSDN blog post from 6 years ago.
It's not really journalism. I'm familiar with taking an idea or a single piece of data and making sweeping generalizations.
"Tech Writing is a Dying Field! Get Out Now!"
Meantime, Techwhirl has (I think) a healthy membership still, and many of us are out there in the trenches, working.
Also note that that was posted in a UX blog, and there seems to be some tension between Tech Comm and UX.
There are transitions that are negotiable (e.g., acquiring the skills of an Analyst or, maybe a little tougher, an API writer) and there are transitions that are more along the lines of career change.
Just depends on where you are and what you're up for.
Steve
On Monday, March 21, 2016 6:59 AM, Tony Chung wrote:
When an article starts with a sentence that ends with a ! you know it's got to be true! And it's on the Internet which adds to its veracity sans verification.
âThe profession of technical writing is on the verge of obsolescence!â
As chicken little as it sounds, all the article does is reinforce what we already know: a technical writer without some technical aptitude won't go far; a technical writer without some writing skill won't last long.
The article presents options that would be worthwhile to discuss in the context of expanding one's technical writing career. It didn't need the click baity headline. But, doh! It distracted me long enough to respond.
So I guess it worked. lol.
-Tony
On Monday, 21 March 2016, Cardimon, Craig <ccardimon -at- m-s-g -dot- com> wrote:
Information contained in this e-mail transmission is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, do not read, distribute or reproduce this transmission (including any attachments). If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender by telephone or email reply.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Visit TechWhirl for the latest on content technology, content strategy and content development | http://techwhirl.com
