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.
So what makes more sense for a successful online publication? Educate the
readers so that they will prefer quality writing or write for the reader
that wants approachable documentation, even if it does have writing errors?
Personally, I have read articles with errors from writers with poor writing
skills that were still good articles because of the content. Sometimes the
content is a personal account or an opinion, so educated writing is not
necessary. I learned how to make repairs on my truck by reading different
how-to articles from people online that lacked excellent writing skill. I
would never say that those articles were not excellent because they were
very accurate. I learned exactly how long different repairs would take,
what steps were involved, and what problems I would encounter. A lack of
writing skill on the part of the author was not relevant to the quality of
the article, or at least to its value to me.
Lauren
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+lauren=writeco -dot- net -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lauren=writeco -dot- net -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> ] On Behalf Of Gene Kim-Eng
> Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 1:22 PM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: Death knell for quality content?
>
> I think it more likely that the site's average reader simply
> lacks the ability to recognize the writing errors.
>
> Gene Kim-Eng
>
>
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-