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.
Re: Programming Tools -- How Prevalent Are They? (#907647)
Subject:Re: Programming Tools -- How Prevalent Are They? (#907647) From:"Colleen Dancer (02) 333-1862" <DANCER -dot- COLLEEN -at- A2 -dot- ABC -dot- NET -dot- AU> Date:Mon, 3 Jun 1996 10:43:24 +1000
Enough of the"lets bash Computer Science/Engineers". I did a Computer
Science degree and guess what I'm proud of it. I'm proud of the fact that
I can cut code although I usually choose not to. In fact my com sci
training improves my ability to do the job. It was great for teaching me
to think in a structured way. It means I speak programmerese and the
programmers know I know what I'm talking about. This also has the
advantage that they can't tell me something can't be done when I know it
can <grin>.
Because of my com sci background I can program complex macros in Word
which make my life much easier. I can use the applications the
programmers use to make minor changes myself. (Eg alignment, microhelp)
Writing is a small part of my job, the majority is task and audience
analysis, planning, design, testing etc. Many of these tasks a com sci
degree can help not hinder. I believe it is shortsighted to assume that
a computer science student or an engineer are inappropriate tech whirlers
especially when the boundaries are blurring and we are expected to use
more and more technical tools. What distinguishes a good techwhirler is
their focus - can they switch on a user focus? THere is no degree that
automatically mean someone will have the right focus and aptitude.
<off soapbox>
Colleen Dancer
dancer -dot- colleen -at- a2 -dot- abc -dot- net -dot- au
The opinions expressed are mine and mine alone
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Post Message: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Get Commands: LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU with "help" in body.
Unsubscribe: LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU with "signoff TECHWR-L"
Listowner: ejray -at- ionet -dot- net
