Re[2]: ..impersonating a technical writer...

[Harry Hager <hhager -at- dttus -dot- com>]

     Tony Wrote:
     
     >My passion is utilizing data flow diagrams as the basis for 
     organizing highly end-user focused technical communications (including 
     end-user manuals, software requirements specifications, and training 
     materials).  I don't always get to fully employ the power of data flow 
     diagrams on a project.  However, when I able to do such:
     
     * I have an excellent idea of what I am doing. 
     * I know exactly how I am doing it.
     * I have an excellent idea of what the final output will look like. 
     * I have an excellent idea of where I will be when I am finished.<
     
     
     Looks like my earlier statements were too generalized and 
     misunderstood.
     
     I guess my real point is that if a company or an individual is on the 
     leading edge (bleeding edge) of some new technology or new 
     environment, then there is lots of experimenting, lots of trial and 
     error, going on. I might add that if a tech writer or the company is 
     not on the leading edge of some technology or some tool set, the tech 
     writer and the company are falling behind. 
     
     On the other hand, when we are using a certain technology or a certain 
     tool (e.g., Word) for the nth time, then it would be expected that we 
     know exactly what we are doing and how to do it. This situation is not 
     what I was referring to in my earlier rant.
     
     My passion is translating technical computer information to the level 
     required by the target audience. For me, this is a given. I know how 
     to do this. I've been doing it successfully for years. If I didn't 
     know how to do this, how could I be a technical writer? Again, this 
     situation is not what I was referring to in my earlier rant.
     
     Jim Hager
     hhager -at- dttus -dot- com