Re: Compare and Contrast Doc Group Performance -- What's a

["heidi arnold" <heidi -dot- w -dot- arnold -at- gmail -dot- com>]

Al,
" Personally, I don't give a rip about how many contests my docs win as
long
as the end user says they really helped them."

Michael,
I feel the same, especially since writing is so subjective. As long as
it delivers the message, adds value, and the customer is happy then I'm
good.

hi,

This is a kind of deep formulation of the difference between the quality of
a document and its relevance.  a document need not be relevant to any use as
long as the quality is high, quality is a subjective concept but relevance
is pragmatic, and so an entirely separate matter, a document often is not
for ´'use´' of any kind, but to give quality to the planet.  to hell with
the contests, as if 'winning' something changed the content of a document,
which is kind of nuts.  a thing once spoken, spoken, done with, over.  good
enough for me.  i have condensed about pages of theory here and it depends
on the question of the document in question and the context and being more
awake than right now but anyway.

i hope this makes sense.

best,

heidi


On 3/11/08, Ronquillo, Michael <mronquillo -at- equitrac -dot- com> wrote:
>
> Al wrote:
>
> " Personally, I don't give a rip about how many contests my docs win as
> long
> as the end user says they really helped them."
>
> I feel the same, especially since writing is so subjective. As long as
> it delivers the message, adds value, and the customer is happy then I'm
> good.
>
> Michael Ronquillo
> Technical Writer - Equitrac
> 1-800-472-9532 x2334
> mronquillo -at- equitrac -dot- com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+mronquillo=equitrac -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+mronquillo=equitrac -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
> Behalf Of Al Geist
> Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 11:16 AM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: RE: Compare and Contrast Doc Group Performance -- What's a
>
> I agree with Chris. Awards are nice, but they really don't have anything
> to
> do with accuracy or value to the customer. It's not the fault of the
> competitions; it's the nature of them. They cannot measure a document's
> value to the customer. However, if someone is willing to slap a dollar
> or
> two (or ten) on the table to buy your book, then it does have value. In
> reality, few tech manuals are sold over the counter, but the analogy
> holds
> true in that their cost is built into to the invoice.
>
> Personally, I don't give a rip about how many contests my docs win as
> long
> as the end user says they really helped them.
>
> Al Geist
> Technical Writing, Help, Web Design, Video, Photography
> Office/Msg: 802-872-9091
> Cell: 802-578-3964
> Website: www.geistassociates.com
> See Also:
> Fine Art Photography
> Website: www.geistimages.com
>
> "...I walked to work, quit my job, and kept walking. Better to be a
> pilgrim
> without a destination, I figured, than to cross the wrong threshold each
> day." (Anon.)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+al -dot- geist=geistassociates -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+al -dot- geist=geistassociates -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> ] On
> Behalf Of Chris Borokowski
> Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 8:41 AM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: Compare and Contrast Doc Group Performance -- What's a
>
> That your documentation is so good people would buy it as a book if it
> were not available from the manufacturer/publisher.
>
> > "What's the measure of a world-class Tech Pubs department?"
>
>
> http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/
> technical writing | consulting | development
>
>
>
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-- 
www.heidiarnold.org
www.vesperwilderness.blogspot.com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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

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