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.
Subject:RE: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken From:"Cardimon, Craig" <ccardimon -at- M-S-G -dot- com> To:"voxwoman" <voxwoman -at- gmail -dot- com> Date:Mon, 12 May 2008 08:47:44 -0400
I rather like it myself.
"I am...The Documentarian."
________________________________
From: voxwoman [mailto:voxwoman -at- gmail -dot- com]
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 8:43 AM
To: Cardimon, Craig
Cc: Suzette Leeming; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken
I tried to get "Documentarian" used for our writing group a few years
ago. I especially liked the cult-sounding overtones of "The
Documentarians." I couldn't get buy in from anyone else, though.
-Wendy
On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 8:39 AM, Cardimon, Craig <ccardimon -at- m-s-g -dot- com>
wrote:
Come on out of the closet. The water's fine. I think.
The title of Documentalist is a mouthful, not to mention a handful. If I
had to go the "docu" route, I would rather be a Documentarian. As in a
Technical Documentarian.
Yeah, the whole "mental" thing would get me, too.
"No, I am not mental."
"Yes I am."
"No I'm not."
Picture Robin Williams doing that in a stage routine, rapidly swiveling
his head from side to side and we'd be laughing.
I'm a writer and proud of it. I use my writing to communicate. I write
using words and pictures. But that's what I do. I write.
Craig Cardimon
Technical Writer
ccardimon -at- m-s-g -dot- com
267-558-3155
________________________________
From: Suzette Leeming [mailto:suzette -dot- leeming -at- gmail -dot- com]
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 8:25 AM
To: Cardimon, Craig
Cc: fritillary -at- gmail -dot- com; Gene Kim-Eng; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken
I now feel comfortable coming out of the closet and admitting that I
too, prefer to be called "Technical Writer". It's unpretentious and to
the point.
When I started my current job, the position was called "Documentalist",
but I objected to having any title with the word "mental" in it (just
kidding, I really just hated the sound of it), so they asked me what
title I wanted. I didn't even blink before I said Technical Writer.
Although Information Developer and Technical Communicator were
possibilities, I did not think they accurately reflected what I did.
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who prefers this title.
Suzette Leeming
Stouffville, Ontario
On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 8:17 AM, Cardimon, Craig <ccardimon -at- m-s-g -dot- com>
wrote:
Me, too. I am much better with words than I am with numbers. Look at my
checkbook. Sheepish grin.
"Technical Communicator" sounds stuffy and pretentious to me. "Technical
Writer" sounds, well, right on the money to me.
I have always been told that sounding stuffy was the kiss of death. I
like being identified as a Technical Writer and identifying myself as a
Technical Writer. I enjoy it and I'm good at it.
Craig Cardimon
Technical Writer
Marketing Systems Group
ccardimon -at- m-s-g -dot- com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: fritillary -at- gmail -dot- com [mailto:fritillary -at- gmail -dot- com]
> Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 6:10 PM
> To: Cardimon, Craig; Gene Kim-Eng
> Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: RE: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken
>
> I don't find anything wrong with "Technical Writer" either - in fact I
> think it has a nice "ring" to it. I'm proud when I reply to people
who
> ask me what I do for a living. It usually sparks some questions and
> conversation along the lines of "what do you write about?" which
"breaks
> the ice" if I'm talking to someone I don't know well.
>
> That being said "Information Developer" sounded cool when I first read
it,
> but upon reflection, it sounds contrived.
>
************************************************************************
*****************************************************************
Information contained in this e-mail transmission is privileged and
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email,
do not read, distribute or reproduce this transmission (including any
attachments). If you have received this e-mail in error, please
immediately notify the sender by telephone or email reply.
************************************************************************
*****************************************************************
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 suzette -dot- leeming -at- gmail -dot- com -dot-
To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG.
Version: 8.0.100 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1428 - Release Date:
5/12/2008 7:44 AM
************************************************************************
*****************************************************************
Information contained in this e-mail transmission is privileged and
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email,
do not read, distribute or reproduce this transmission (including any
attachments). If you have received this e-mail in error, please
immediately notify the sender by telephone or email reply.
************************************************************************
*****************************************************************
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 voxwoman -at- gmail -dot- com -dot-
To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG.
Version: 8.0.100 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1428 - Release Date:
5/12/2008 7:44 AM
*****************************************************************************************************************************************
Information contained in this e-mail transmission is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email,
do not read, distribute or reproduce this transmission (including any attachments). If you have received this e-mail in error, please
immediately notify the sender by telephone or email reply.
*****************************************************************************************************************************************
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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-
