Re: DTP and Writing (and related)

Subject: Re: DTP and Writing (and related)
From: Victor Chapel <victor -at- TRCINC -dot- COM>
Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 10:16:19 -0400

Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 08:38:38 +0000
From: Melonie Holliman <mrh -at- ABMDATA -dot- COM>
> I was very bothered after reading Bernie's survey results.
> <snip>
> I have felt a little, well, contempt from some of the
> writers who do not do DTP. This bothers me.

I didn't get that feeling, but then again, I always give
everyone the benefit of the doubt...

> <snip> I would NEVER have been considered for the position
> if I could not wear alot of different hats (which I like
> doing by the way; I get bored easily).

So true. I'm biased by personal experience, of course, but
the best TWs I know can use _every_ tool they need to take a
document from nothing to deliverable. I won't list them out,
but I use about 12 different applications/tools/utilities on
any given project. I bet others use even more.

> If you like writing only, write only. But realize, the more
> skills you have the more marketable you are. Limit yourself
> and you will be limited in your choices.

We wouldn't think of hiring a one-dimensional, or even two-
dimensional writer. If you haven't already proven that you
can and want to learn everything about TW and the subject
of your documents, go find a big company where you can hide
in a rat-maze behind the excuse "I just do the writing."

> I hope this list will continue to address every part of
> our industry (editing, DTP, layout, etc.) though I
> understand writing is the focus and there are other
> lists for focusing on the other areas.

I'd unsubscribe if we were limited to strict writing topics.
That would be like pretending all the other things we need
to know to do our jobs don't exist, and that's just not true.
We need to be able to discuss every topic related to
communicating technical information. I've only been
subscribing for a few weeks, but I already feel like a
more complete and informed tech writer for this experience.
(I have no excuse for not subscribing long ago... 8-)

--
Victor Chapel The Technical Resource Connection Tampa
victorc -at- trcinc -dot- com 1-800-872-2992 http://www.trcinc.com
"I'm Victor, The Cleaner." - La Femme Nikita

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