Re: Do Technical Writers Deserve their own Offices?

[Beth Agnew <bagnew -at- INSYSTEMS -dot- COM>]

Two more pluses for working in a busy office:

As Wendy Putman noted -- earphones and Pachelbel. Get a good set of
headphones and make sure your office computer has a sound card with audio CD
capability. When you really need to shut out the world, you can play harp
music, naturescapes, or even the Stones to insulate yourself from the
day-to-day noise.

Alexia Prendergast pointed out that being close to the action means that
co-workers sometimes stop by to discuss changes or what's happening on other
teams. Conversation unintentionally overhead from other cubicles can alert
you to trends and changes the developers sometimes "forget" to tell you
about. That doesn't mean you become a professional eavesdropper, but every
good herdbeast knows it's desirable to be aware of one's surroundings.

The one thing I *would* like to have in such an environment, however, that
is sadly lacking, is telephone privacy. It's the pits to be talking to
someone about a project and be barely able to hear the responses because of
the background noise. We have a white noise generator that is supposed to
dampen ambient sound, but over the phone all it does is make you sound like
you're on a windswept cliff.

Beth Agnew
Senior Technical Writer, InSystems Technologies Inc.
65 Allstate Parkway, Suite 100  Tel: (905) 513-1400 ext. 280
Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 9X1        Fax: (905) 513-1419
mailto:bagnew -at- insystems -dot- com    Visit us at: http://www.insystems.com

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http://www.bayside.net/users/cbsites/techwr-l/a.htm#agnewb