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> I think what you've done in taking the Certification
> discussion off-list is a
> wonderful idea. I also don't see anything wrong with keeping
> the discussion civil by
> whatever standards you wish to define and keeping the
> membership restricted to those
> whose participation will hold the promise of being most useful.
I wasn't invited, therefore any certifications created are invalid. My opinion is just as important as anyone else's.
> To those people who think any of John's comments (or mine
> now) were directed at
> them; well, if the shoe fits, wear it. There are a fair
> number of polite, thoughtful
> people on this list, and there are a fair number of jerks on
> it, too.
None of my shoes fit just right. Technical Writers are like onions, we have layers.
I can be nice and thoughtful and I can be the biggest JERK in the world. Just ask my kids.
> For myself, I will look forward to seeing if the ad hoc
> committee to examine
> certification makes any recommendations and what they are.
> Please be sure you signal
> that you have something in a way that is unambiguous;
> otherwise I'll likely delete
> it unread. And, no, I'm not interested in participating in
> that list. I doubt I have
> much to offer.
Anything ad hoc can't be good, its generally disorganized lacks fairness. Those people who create the certification will most likely make sure that it matches their skill set so they are the first ones out of the gate.
Certification of an art form (writing) is next to impossible, there are too many techniques to narrow it down to one mutually exclusive set of criteria.
i.e.
how many steps to include in a procedure
which style guide to use
blah blah blah.
Not to mention that it would take years to come up with acceptable certification criteria, and there is no reputable agency to administer the certification. To my its just another stupid hoop I have to jump through to prove myself.
Are we to take typing tests next?
Thanks for letting me voice my opinion.
Warmest Regards,
-----------------------------------
C. Wade Courtney
Sr. Technical Writer
Elance, Inc.
direct 408.524.7537
cell 510.828.2564
fax 408.524.4814
email wcourtney -at- elance -dot- com
YM wcourtne
www.elance.com
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