Re: FWD: Is multi-tasking dead?

["Donald R. Stovicek" <usadad -at- RAEX -dot- COM>]

Anonymous User wrote:

> Name withheld upon request. Please reply on list.
>
> *************************************************
>
> Question: Is multi-tasking dead?
>
> I work for a large company in a documentation group that uses formatters,
> editors, graphic artists, writers, and recently SMEs who can't do any of
> the above.

Based upon my experience, "multi-tasking" as you describe it is growing by
leaps and bounds. It seems to me that up until about five years ago, publishers
compartmentalized every process from writing, typesetting, illustration,
layout, etc. Today, smaller (less than 50 employees) companies have their tech
writers not only writing, but also layout and illustration. Large publishing
houses seem to be moving in that direction as more and more burden is placed on
the tech writer.

I have seen an ever increasing number of help-wanted ads that are looking for
technical writers with desktop publishing and illustration experience.
Coincidently, I have lately seen quite a few ads for Graphic Artists who must
have some writing and/or editing skills.

It's a mixed bag in my opinion. As a WRITER, I do like the increased control I
have over layout and illustration. Yet, I am NOT trained as a graphic artist or
illustrator, so I believe my end product suffers as a result of adding these
functions into my job description.

From a management perspective, I do NOT believe the current trend is cost
effective. Why have a $50,000/yr technical writer also doing the job of a
$35,000/yr graphic artist, and a $20,000/yr illustrator and keyliner?

IMHO, if I owned my own publishing house, I would want my technical writers
spending as much time on writing as possible. I wouldn't want to pay a $50,000
tech writer to perform the tasks of lesser paid individuals.

--
LOU
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