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.
Subject:RE: They don't need our stinkin' manuals? From:"Michael West" <mike -dot- west -at- oz -dot- quest -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 29 Dec 2000 15:05:09 +1100
Chantel Brathwaite writes:
> Many dummies books present solid
> technical information in a lively way --
> I just think that if something is
> technically accurate and it is "enjoyable"
> people are more apt to refer to it,
> or to even *gasp* read about features
> they don't have questions about at the
> present moment.
You're quite right to remind us that technical
writing can be lively and fun without any detriment
to its true purpose.
On the other hand, I've seen attempts at humor and
'fun' in user's guides end up in an embarrassing mess,
so in general I'd advise journeymen tech writers to leave
the gags to big-time outfits like the 'Dummies' folks, who
have the formulas and the editorial resources to make that
approach work. Not that I'm advocating a cold and inhuman
way of writing either.
What we have in the 'Dummies' type books, I believe, is
really a new sub-genre of technical writing; a sort of anti-
establishment pose that capitalizes on the fact that many
of the 'authorized' user guides have failed to correctly assess
their audience's needs.
--
Michael West
Melbourne, Australia
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Develop HTML-based Help with Macromedia Dreamweaver! (STC Discount.)
**NEW DATE/LOCATION!** January 16-17, 2001, New York, NY. http://www.weisner.com/training/dreamweaver_help.htm or 800-646-9989.
Sponsored by an
anonymous satisfied subscriber since 1994.
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
