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.
"Conflict with work" = "There isn't enough value to convince my employer
to give me the time away from the office." If an employee could argue
cogently that going to the meetings will result in significantly
improved tech docs, I doubt many employers would object.
"Commute time to get to meeting from work or from meeting to home" =
"There isn't enough value to warrant the commute from my home." In other
words, the cost is greater than the value. I bet the same people would
have little or no problem with the commute time to a free dinner in a
fine restaurant and Broadway show once a month.
"Cannot get a mass transit connection" = "There isn't enough value to
make the trouble of getting there worth while." I bet the same people
would be able to find a way to get into the city for a free dinner in a
fine restaurant and Broadway show once a month.
"Takes away from family time" = "Because this is of little or no
professional benefit, it will in no way enable me to compensate my
family for the time it will take away from them."
"Subject doesn't interest me" = stet.
Regarding the financial side of things, it's arguable that people never
say "money" because they never think, "this is too expensive." Instead,
they think, "Hmmm, do I really want to spend $25 on an STC dinner? Maybe
I'll go to a movie with my spouse instead or take my kids for ice
cream."
Leonard C. Porrello
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
om] On Behalf Of John Posada
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 7:25 AM
To: Rick Stone
Cc: techwr-l List
Subject: Re: STC is broken?
As President of the NY Metro chapter, I have conversations with my
members
on why some don't come to meetings. None have ever said it is too
expensive.
Reasons are:
Conflict with work
Commute time to get to meeting from work or frolm meeting to home
Cannot get a mass transit connection (we cover NY and northern NJ...one
you
drive and one you mass-transit)
Takes away frrom family time
Subject doesn't interest me (however, on these, I'll eventualy get them
to a
meeting)
Price is never a reason.
On 4/29/08, Rick Stone <rstone75 -at- kc -dot- rr -dot- com> wrote:
>
> Hi all
>
> I'm not an STC member. Just watching the thread from the sidelines.
>
> This thread reminds me a bit of the humorous E-Mail that circulates
from
> time to time. The one where a man and woman are driving together to
> dinner. And the man becomes quiet as he glances at the mileage and
notes
> that an oil change is needed, causing a long and argumentative
> conversation to ensue entirely in his mind. The woman interprets his
> quietness as having some horribly bad deeper meaning and assuming the
> worst about the relationship.
>
> Perhaps the lower attendance at meetings is simply another indicator
of
> the shape of our economy? Given the prices of fuel these years, maybe
it
> simply boils down to it becoming a choice of staying home to conserve
> resources.
>
--
John Posada
Senior Technical Writer
NYMetro STC President
- Said the Zen master to the hot dog vendor "Make me one with
everything."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats
or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
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
Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- soleratec -dot- com -dot-
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-
