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Subject:Re: A technique to get on development's good side From:John Posada <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Fri, 13 May 2005 06:56:23 -0700 (PDT)
> You know, this list offers so much good advice on how to overcome
> the divide between tech writers and developers. I too have my
> techniques.
> But did you ever ask yourselves why that divide exists in the first
> place? Why do tech writers, of all other people on the team, have
> to overcome this artificial barrier placed in their path?
Because anyone can claim to be a technical writer and most times,
where they think they are getting a technical writer, they are
instead getting someone who claims to be a technical writer because
they've created a User Guide sometime in the past.
If you are a programmer, you can be asked specific technical
questions that demonstate your skill. When you say you know VB.net,
C#, C++, java. etc., you can be quizzed. OTOH, what is there to prove
you can write? Somehow the answer "I know English" doesn't cut it.
THAT'S why I point toward certification. It is a specific series of skills.
John Posada
Senior Technical Writer
?Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone
amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built
the Titanic.? - Dave Barry
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