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.
Except I don't write books about computers. Never have. Have done some
software documentation (for applications that support the product I write
about), but most of my work has been documenting hardware.
When asked, I usually explain that I write instructional and reference
material for <insert product> and then go on to describe the product. You
could just as easily point to consumer product manuals. Yes, I know that a
lot of those aren't very good, but at least it gives people an idea of
what you do. I wrote manuals for Automatic Call Distributors (a couple of
jobs ago). Imagine most people's horror when I described what an ACD was
("y'know that automated voice that asks you to press 1 to get your
checking account, press 2 to get your savings account, etc...?") EVERYONE
seems to hate ACDs (I personally like getting basic info that way, but
what do I know?)
> Yep, we're an obscure bunch of folks. Someone else
> offered the best response I've heard yet when asked
> what it is we do: "I write books about computers."
> That's worked well for me.
Nora
--
Nora
nora -at- helloworld -dot- sh
and the rescue Shelties U-ACH Cary, CGC, OA, OAJ, EAC-V, EJC-V, OGC-V,
RV-N, PDII (retired)
U-ACH Secondhand Charlie, CGC, MX, MXJ, EAC, EJC, OGC, RS-N, MAD, RM, JM,
R1MCL, ONYX
and non-rescue Remy, a.k.a. Boldligo Palisades Night Watch, FM, OA, OAJ
SEE THE ALL NEW ROBOHELP X5 IN ACTION: RoboHelp X5 is a giant leap forward
in Help authoring technology, featuring Word 2003 support, Content
Management, Multi-Author support, PDF and XML support and much more! http://www.macromedia.com/go/techwrldemo
>From a single set of Word documents, create online Help and printed
documentation with ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 7 Professional, a new yearly
subscription service offering free updates and upgrades, support, and more. http://www.doctohelp.com
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -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.
