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: STC Letter to the Editor From:David Neeley <dbneeley -at- yahoo -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 4 Nov 2002 17:29:24 -0800 (PST)
Okay, Andrew!
Now I know that in your opinion "real writers write."
Got it. In spades, even.
But, pray tell me--are *your* documents (when you
*are* in fact creating *documents* and not spending
your time either working on security matters or
posting voluminously to TECHWR-L)...also professional
in the boring, "non-technical-communicator" things
like design, layout and (Heaven forbid!) typography?
Personally, I believe that the average quality of
writing *everywhere* is pathetic...but I *also*
consider appreciation for and knowledge of
presentation skills such as design, layout, and
typography to be a part of each true professional's
stock in trade.
After all, people are confronted with carefully
designed materials all day--and making technical
documentation *look* appealing is a part of actually
getting it read to begin with!
Likewise, layout should complement the writing and
make it accessible.
Of course, far be it from me to suggest that your
example work product in a "1K text file" was not as
good as you claimed...but the best written
documentation is not worth a d*** if it isn't read by
the poor sod trying to get some work done with the
tool they don't...quite...understand yet.
David
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Y! Web Hosting - Let the expert host your web site http://webhosting.yahoo.com/
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
All-new RoboHelp X3 is now shipping! Get single sourcing, print-quality
documentation, conditional text and much more, in the most monumental
release ever. Save $100! Order online at http://www.ehelp.com/techwr-l
Check out SnagIt - The Screen Capture Standard!
Download a free 30-day trial from http://www.techsmith.com/rdr/txt/twr
Find out what all the other tech writers, including Dan, already know!
---
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.
