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.
Re: Help me keep track of the time I spend writing, with meetings, and with Graphics.
Subject:Re: Help me keep track of the time I spend writing, with meetings, and with Graphics. From:SB <sylvia -dot- braunstein -at- gmail -dot- com> To:"Combs, Richard" <richard -dot- combs -at- polycom -dot- com> Date:Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:13:21 +0200
OK but this would be true for an in-house too.
On 1/29/08, Combs, Richard <richard -dot- combs -at- polycom -dot- com> wrote:
>
> SB wrote:
>
> <snip> He takes about 5 to 10 times longer than I
> > have in the past to update a same document. So, how can I
> > figure out what is wrong there and fix it if I know exactly
> > the changes that are involved. </snip>
>
> You have the before and after versions of the document, right? So, is he
> updating 5 to 10 times as much content? And if so, are the changes
> necessary and appropriate? If not, have you told him his work is
> unacceptable and made both your expectations and the consequences of
> failing to meet them clear?
>
> <snip> I just feel that I am giving him the
> > easy part and taking on all the load and he can't even meet
> > the deadlines for the easy part. </snip>
>
> If you've set deadlines that you're confident are reasonable, and he
> failed to meet them, then why are you still paying him? If he's making
> your job harder, not easier, he needs to be replaced.
>
> <snip> Note that he is very
> > experienced and I do personally like him, I just get very
> > frustrated that it does not matter how small the project, if
> > he is given a life time, this is how much it will take him </snip>
>
> There are contractors and consultants who put far more effort into
> getting the contract and being likeable than into the actual work they
> do. Some manage to make a career out of this, preying on the many people
> like you who are easily taken advantage of. If they're "given a life
> time," of course that's how long it will take! They're paid by the hour!
>
>
> There's no software that will help you, SB. If your description of the
> situation is accurate, then no offense, but you need to grow a spine.
>
> Richard
>
>
> ------
> Richard G. Combs
> Senior Technical Writer
> Polycom, Inc.
> richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
> 303-223-5111
> ------
> rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
> 303-777-0436
> ------
>
>
>
>
>
>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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-