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Subject:Re: Re: Technical Writer Questions From:eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 17 Dec 2001 10:49:22 -0500
<<You really should look into some science, math, and technology oriented
classes. This will help you much more in the long haul. I would recommend
learning Windows 2000, Linux, systems networking, programming (C is a good
starter), and relational databases. These are "core" technologies used in
many different industries.>>
I agree solidly with Andrew on the fact that learning some technologies would be
the best thing. But to say that the technologies he chose are "core" to many
industries is a little over the top. They are core to many SOFTWARE technical
writing jobs.
Take all advice from the list and your classes with a grain of salt. Much of the
advice will be geared solely towards software documentation. There's a whole lot
more to the world than writing for software and looking at the performance of
the software industry over the last few months, it may be that the other choices
might be more stable. Even with the glut of unemployed software industry
writer's I don't think it has become any easier to find someone to produce
equipment manuals (In our case maintenance and operations manuals for passenger
trains).
Other technologies include automotive, consumer electronics, heavy equipment use
and maintenance, aircraft use/maintenance, industrial processes and process
machinery, chemistry, biology, any science and technology sector where products
are being developed for end users or processes have to be described. Also
remember that 'End User' doesn't necessarily equate to Joe Public. It equates to
all levels of users and expertise.
You should have an understanding of some technology and have the passion to want
to learn more about it and to pass that knowledge on to others. With that, you
should be able to pick up any tool required by the particular job.
Eric L. Dunn
eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com
PS: For those that might care, my email address has been changed. Only got
reminded myself because this post initially bounced.
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