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.
Mary Arrotti <mary_arrotti -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote on 10/12/2007 11:29:15 AM:
> I'd recommend learning about Help development (including terms) &
> *then* researching a tool. The resources you mention are all good -
> but it's unrealistic to expect a Help tool review (or reviewer) to
> also provide you with a primer on Help.
I just ask...don't know or expect there's one out there...the tech writer
webworld is quite scattered, I've found.
> As a technical writer & help developer - it's good & important to
> develop skills in research and to be able to figure out where/whom
> to go to for the info you need.
Sounds great...for someone w/ a lot of time. I have to get the manual up
and running w/i a few months time, and have the software in place to do it
along the way. I have the writing/organizing/editing expertise, just not
the tech tool knowledge in this particular area.
What I'm doing by asking for help *is* research. A journalism principle:
Go directly to the source. It's my best stab to jumpstart the process by
finding experts, leveraging their knowledge with my growing experience,
and just get going...like a "train with square wheels," (from "Rudolph..."
animated film)--yes for now...but it's progress.
If I want to keep this (temp) job and not lose it to an outsourced expert,
this is what I have to do...for now. I don't mind learning a lot.
And by the way, as I wrote another t-whirler,perhaps 60-80% of all the
terms on hat-matrix.com I would need to see "in action" to really
understand...I can figure out some by context...partly from having spent
4-5 days learning trial HATS, tutorials...
More to the point: Do you know any more good resources, lists, sites?
(Quick look-up places)
Tim
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-
