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I wouldn't question a customers preferences, but I do wonder if anyone
knows what value is derived from such a list. BTW, this isn't a
rhetorical question.
Leonard
-----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 Melissa Nelson
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:06 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Tracking Documentation History
I do document history two ways. For internal documents I do a separate
revision history that anyone in the company may access as needed.
However, our major customer, who is military, requires a revision note
for EVERY revision done to a document. Even if I change three or four
words or reformat something, it had better be placed in the revision
chart at the beginning of the document. I also need to give the document
a new version number for every revision.
Melissa
> Subject: RE: Tracking Documentation History> Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008
13:02:07 -0400> From: DHemstreet -at- kaydon -dot- com> To:
mronquillo -at- equitrac -dot- com; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> > Hi Ron,> > SHORT
ANSWER:> > Does it need to be part of the document? NO> Do you need it?
YES> Does it have value to the customer? Not usually.> > **Long form
thoughts to help clarify the issue**> > The document history is usually
a critical part of your company's> compliance with different standards.
> > At issue is WHERE this information is stored. It does not need to
be> kept as a physical part of the document, but it should not be
removed> without coordinating such changes with your Quality Dept.> > I
worked at one company where we handled the doc history as follows:> 1.
For internal documents, an opening page with sign-off table> and doc
history table. Users usually just skipped the first page and> went to
the body of the document.> 2. For external documents, the same opening
page was maintained> sep
arate from, but associated with, the document.> Example: Doc
#SPI-45-01-000 and #SPI-40-01-000_op, etc.> > Another option is to make
this doc approval/history the LAST page of> your internal documents
(much more convenient for your readers).> > Finally, I have seen and
used manuals that had the document history> inside. I thought it was a
total waste of space, and have a feeling this> was done by someone
misunderstanding the relevant standards for their> device.> > Hope this
is helpful> > Deborah> > > > > > -----Original Message-----> From:
techwr-l-bounces+dhemstreet=kaydon -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+dhemstreet=kaydon -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On>
Behalf Of Ronquillo, Michael> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 12:25 PM>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Subject: Tracking Documentation
History> > Hey all,> > > > > > What are your thoughts on tracking the
documentation history in the> documentation?> > > > For example, you
would have a date and software release
and have bullets> saying exactly what has been changed/updated. Is
this good practice or> does it air out "dirty laundry". Does this have
any value to the> customer?> > > > I am considering dropping it because
it's getting ridiculously long.> Also, it shows our company's mistakes.
The only value it has is for our> support team so they know what's
updated when answering queries from> customers. Is there a better method
for tracking changes internally?> > > > I'd love to hear what you guys
do.> > > > Thanks,> > Mike> > > >
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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
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