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RE: Stereotypes (WAS: what to look for in a Tech Editor)

Subject: RE: Stereotypes (WAS: what to look for in a Tech Editor)
From: Valerie Priester <hammerl -at- buffalo -dot- edu>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 08 May 2003 14:22:50 -0400



--On Thursday, May 08, 2003 10:24 AM -0700 "Mike O." <obie1121 -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:

A brief story: I recently finished some heavy technical docs which I
accomplished solely by reading thousands of lines of code, documenting
data structures and business rules. Then I moved on to documenting
internals of the enterprise servers by reading their config files and
vendor docs. So I felt my tech credentials were pretty solid.

Then there was a reorg and there is new management at multiple levels.
When I introduced myself as a tech writer, I got one of those looks.
And on the new org chart, I am listed as the 'Project Librarian' which
made my day. I am still trying to get my hair into a bun, but it's not
working. At the development meetings, now I can crack them up just by
saying "Sssshhhhh!"

You have a problem being mistaken for someone with an advanced degree who has a knowledge of everything from MARC records and OCLC to computer networking, hardware and software installs, information architecture, and end-user documentation? Wow. I know what you're trying to say, that you've done all these really techie-techie projects and you felt it was a big put-down, but I think your vision of librarians went out with the horse and buggy. To be honest, having earned my Master of Library Science in 1999 I'm a little put off by your assessment. My job as a technical writer requires fewer qualifications than if I were to accept a job as a librarian. Talk about stereotypes.


Valerie Priester
hammerl -at- buffalo -dot- edu

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References:
RE: Stereotypes (WAS: what to look for in a Tech Editor): From: Mike O.

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