RE: Re: It doesn't look good for Tina the Tech Writer ... OK, this makes for a good segue

Subject: RE: Re: It doesn't look good for Tina the Tech Writer ... OK, this makes for a good segue
From: Ron Hearn <rhearn -at- central1 -dot- com>
To: techwr-l <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2016 16:52:13 +0000


Further to yesterday's discussion on Scot's attitudes toward women, there is this from his blog last week:

http://blog.dilbert.com/post/151737656851/the-era-of-women



-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+rhearn=cucbc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+rhearn=cucbc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Keith Hood
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2016 1:56 PM
To: vincentpr -at- trfnova -dot- com
Cc: techwr-l <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Re: It doesn't look good for Tina the Tech Writer ... OK, this makes for a good segue

I agree that a good tech writer is just as valuable to the company as an engineer. But my experience has proven to me beyond any possible doubt that the overwhelming majority of managers who make the retention decisions do not agree.

Another certification in a field which is not valued by the people who make the retention decisions is not going to help. That's kind of like having a dozen layers of frosting on a Brussels sprout cake. It's not going to win the baking competition.

What needs to happen is for someone to finally come up with a way to PROVE that the tech writer's work adds value to the product. There has to be some way to express it in numbers and show that the work really does bump up the bottom line on the quarterly report. Until that happens, certifications may be useful in grading applicants for hiring decisions, but they will be meaningless to retention.

On Mon, Oct 17, 2016 at 3:10 PM, Vincent <vincentpr -at- trfnova -dot- com> wrote:

> Friends,
> When the first rush of replies on this flowed in, I got angrier and
> angrier as I quickly parsed. Angry at y'all that is (no disrespect
> intended here) for missing the critical issue against your current
> chosen profession. I wanted to write then but I too, as Kathleen
> understands, must choose my fires to quench. At the moment, I have a
> little time.
> Being too long involved in IT, I have chuckled at select Dilberts now
> and again when people have point them out, but I have never been an
> avid fan. That, and Mr. Adams' gender imbalance :) notwithstanding,
> the real insult within the Dilbert installment under discussion is that
> the TW character is being presented as less valuable than an inherent
> engineer asset. Nothing could be more untruthful or a better example
> of program management misperception.
> Yes, of course certain senior engineers -- and even engineers with
> seniority -- are essential and invaluable to an R&D team, and deserve
> to recognized as such. However, generally speaking, good engineers are
> readily available and replaceable, but a good technical writer is not.
> The experienced and capable technical writer, while he or she suffers
> being regarded as a peer -- and mistakenly by Mr. Adams less -- is
> actually senior in contribution to most engineers. Without the
> documentation process, application worklfow errors, system design
> errors, database architecture endless loops, and coding foopahs of
> every rushed and improperly tested kind would make it passed the
> staging cycle. Without proper documentation there is lessened
> accountability to management. The technical writer is above an
> engineer. Engineers who don't take a TW's request for a meeting
> seriously probably shouldn't be trusted to do their own work
> excellently and should be let go.
> Having spent some time working inside federal agencies, it always
> bothered me how silly it is for the way PMP certification is esteemed
> (again, no disrespect intended, but experience trumps the PMP
> certificate 100% of the time). I have long had a dream that technical
> writers need their own certification, such CPTW (Certified Professional
> Technical Writer), likened to CPCM, CFCM, and to have that credential
> promoted and recognized properly. And while I have spawned many ideas
> on how to chase that dream, I am only now getting to semi-retirement
> hours so that perhaps I can.
> Thoughts? Reactions? Anyone want to work on/pursue establishment of
> CPTW with me?
> Vincent
> www.linkedin.com/in/vincentpasqualeruvolo
>
>
> On 10/17/16, Kathleen MacDowell<kathleen -dot- eamd -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
>
> It's been interesting to see everyone's interpretations, which are
> sometimes much deeper than my own.
> I haven't seen Dilbert for many years, but I've always viewed him
> similar
> to a Tom and Jerry (or any other) cartoon.
> He managed to convey my feelings about some of the idiocies we
> encounter at
> work; ah yes, restraining the fist of death.
> Sad to say, some people have real grudges that are expressed in the
> real
> world. And truly, as hard some of the work/life realities are to bear
> sometimes, we have a lot more pressing things to deal with right now.
> Most of us are subject to some kind of inequalities, some of us more
> than
> others. It would be wonderful if it could be reduced...
> Kathleen
> On Mon, Oct 17, 2016 at 12:46 PM, kafkascampi
> <[1]kafkascampi -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> > Not to be a buzzkill (which means I am totally about to be a
> > buzzkill), Scott Adams has some controversial views about women in
> the
> > workplace. This is one of the reasons I choose not to support him.
> >
> > Read more here:
> > [2]http://comicsalliance.com/scott-adam-sexist-mens-rights/
> >
> > Chris
> >
> > On Mon, Oct 17, 2016 at 8:51 AM, Tony Chung <[3]tonyc -at- tonychung -dot- ca>
> wrote:
> > > False alarm. A week later Tina agrees to be pointy head's "work
> wife"
> > > [4]http://dilbert.com/strip/2016-10-14
> > >
> > > -Tony (also in Vancouver)
> > >
> > > On Thursday, 6 October 2016, Ron Hearn <[5]rhearn -at- central1 -dot- com>
> wrote:
> > >
> > >> Looks like Tina is getting the axe in today's Dilbert:
> > >> [6]http://dilbert.com/strip/2016-10-06
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Ron Hearn
> > >> Documentation Specialist
> > >>
> > >> Central 1 Credit Union
> > >> 1441 Creekside Drive
> > >> Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
> > >> V6J 4S7
> > >>
> > >> [7]rhearn -at- central1 -dot- com
> <javascript:;><[8]mailto:rhearn -at- central1 -dot- com
> > >> <javascript:;>>
> > >> Tel: 604.730.6391
> > >> Fax: 604.730-7792
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> > > Visit TechWhirl for the latest on content technology, content
> strategy
> > and content development | [9]http://techwhirl.com
> > >
> > > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> > >
> > > You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as kafkascampi -at- gmail -dot- com -dot-
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> > > [10]techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > >
> > >
> > > Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
> > > [11]http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/ for more
> resources
> > and info.
> > >
> > > Looking for articles on Technical Communications? Head over to our
> > online magazine at [12]http://techwhirl.com
> > >
> > > Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions? Search our
> public
> > email archives @ [13]http://techwr-l.com/archives
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> > Visit TechWhirl for the latest on content technology, content
> strategy and
> > content development | [14]http://techwhirl.com
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> > You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as kathleen -dot- eamd -at- gmail -dot- com -dot-
> >
> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> > [15]techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> >
> >
> > Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
> > [16]http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/ for more
> resources and
> > info.
> >
> > Looking for articles on Technical Communications? Head over to our
> online
> > magazine at [17]http://techwhirl.com
> >
> > Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions? Search our
> public
> > email archives @ [18]http://techwr-l.com/archives
> >
> --
> Kathleen MacDowell
> [19]kathleen -dot- eamd -at- gmail -dot- com
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> Visit TechWhirl for the latest on content technology, content strategy
> and content development | [20]http://techwhirl.com
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as vincentpr -at- trfnova -dot- com -dot-
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> [21]techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
> [22]http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/ for more
> resources and info.
> Looking for articles on Technical Communications? Head over to our
> online magazine at [23]http://techwhirl.com
> Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions? Search our public
> email archives @ [24]http://techwr-l.com/archives
>
> References
>
> 1. mailto:kafkascampi -at- gmail -dot- com
> 2. http://comicsalliance.com/scott-adam-sexist-mens-rights/
> 3. mailto:tonyc -at- tonychung -dot- ca
> 4. http://dilbert.com/strip/2016-10-14
> 5. mailto:rhearn -at- central1 -dot- com
> 6. http://dilbert.com/strip/2016-10-06
> 7. mailto:rhearn -at- central1 -dot- com
> 8. mailto:rhearn -at- central1 -dot- com
> 9. http://techwhirl.com/
> 10. mailto:techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> 11. http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/
> 12. http://techwhirl.com/
> 13. http://techwr-l.com/archives
> 14. http://techwhirl.com/
> 15. mailto:techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> 16. http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/
> 17. http://techwhirl.com/
> 18. http://techwr-l.com/archives
> 19. mailto:kathleen -dot- eamd -at- gmail -dot- com
> 20. http://techwhirl.com/
> 21. mailto:techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> 22. http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/
> 23. http://techwhirl.com/
> 24. http://techwr-l.com/archives
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> Visit TechWhirl for the latest on content technology, content strategy
> and content development | http://techwhirl.com
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as bus -dot- write -at- gmail -dot- com -dot-
>
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
>
> Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
> http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/ for more resources
> and info.
>
> Looking for articles on Technical Communications? Head over to our
> online magazine at http://techwhirl.com
>
> Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions? Search our
> public email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Visit TechWhirl for the latest on content technology, content strategy and content development | http://techwhirl.com

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

You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as RHearn -at- cucbc -dot- com -dot-

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com


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

Looking for articles on Technical Communications? Head over to our online magazine at http://techwhirl.com

Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions? Search our public email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
This email and any attachments are strictly confidential, may be privileged, and are intended only for the use of the person(s) named above. Any other person is strictly prohibited from disclosing, distributing, copying or using it. If you are not the intended recipient (or are not receiving this communication on behalf of the intended recipient), please notify the sender immediately by return email or telephone call, and securely destroy this communication. Thank you.

Please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" or "Unsubscribe All" in the subject line to unsubscribe from this mailing list or from all commercial electronic messages from Central 1.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Visit TechWhirl for the latest on content technology, content strategy and content development | http://techwhirl.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-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com


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

Looking for articles on Technical Communications? Head over to our online magazine at http://techwhirl.com

Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions? Search our public email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives


Follow-Ups:

References:
Re: Re: It doesn't look good for Tina the Tech Writer ... OK, this makes for a good segue: From: Vincent
Re: Re: It doesn't look good for Tina the Tech Writer ... OK, this makes for a good segue: From: Keith Hood

Previous by Author: RE: It doesn't look good for Tina the Tech Writer
Next by Author: Favorite online user guide / help docs
Previous by Thread: Re: Re: It doesn't look good for Tina the Tech Writer ... OK, this makes for a good segue
Next by Thread: Re: Re: It doesn't look good for Tina the Tech Writer ... OK, this makes for a good segue


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads