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Subject:Re: Thoughts on respect From:"Michael West" <mbwest -at- bigpond -dot- net -dot- au> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 24 Aug 2001 21:36:40 +1000
Andrew Plato wrote:
> 2. Focus on the core. Most companies don't care about fonts, documentation
> processes, information mapping, or STC conferences. They want good,
> meaningful content. Everything else is secondary and unimportant.
I personally have found this not to be true. Just goes to show that
you need to consider a variety of points of view.
With 20+ years in technical writing, I have found the following to be true:
1. Companies don't care about 'fonts' perhaps, but they do
want their publications to look appealing and professional,
and they may rely on you to know how to achieve that look.
In some cases, looks will take priority over content. You need
to learn how to balance conflicting priorities. At a minimum,
you will need to understand the basics of graphic design,
typography, and preparing materials for publication.
2. Documentation processes will often be a major issue. It
depends on the organization. I'd suggest that the more successful
the company, the more attention is paid to process. The days of
the cowboy are numbered.
3. Information mapping and other structured writing methodologies
are useful tools.
4. STC conferences can be beneficial.
5. People who claim to know what "most" companies "care about"
are talking through their hats.
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A landmark hotel, one of America's most beautiful cities, and
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IPCC 01, Oct. 24-27 in Santa Fe. http://ieeepcs.org/2001/
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