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Re: Microsoft wants journalists, not tech writers?
Subject:Re: Microsoft wants journalists, not tech writers? From:Goober Writer <gooberwriter -at- yahoo -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 29 Oct 2003 14:13:36 -0800 (PST)
> It sounds to me like Microsoft wants its online help
> to be as interesting as magazine articles. I presume
> this means that their future writers will not use
> the
> type of prose found in standard technical
> documentation. Maybe there will even be some humor.
Well, Microsoft knows its audience. They know that for
every technically savvy user, there are about 100
boneheads readily armed with footpedals and
cupholders.
Look at the UI design and administrative tool changes
in XP Pro. It's all dumbed down. Heck, "Shut Down" was
reworded to "Turn Off".
The "journalists" that wrote the how-to articles are
still technically savvy, but have proven that they can
write for a more general audience. To me, the decision
to snag these types of writers for their online docs
(help) content development was a no-brainer.
Microsoft's business model is simple: "You pay us, we
provide stuff. You pay us more, we give you more
stuff." Their product documentation follows this
perfectly. Buy the product, maybe get a 70 page
startup guide, and get online help. Want more info?
See Microsoft Press or other 3rd party doc providers.
And then there's the hefty for-fee technical support.
=====
Goober Writer
(because life is too short to be inept)
"As soon as you hear the phrase "studies show",
immediately put a hand on your wallet and cover your groin."
-- Geoff Hart
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