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.
I'm currently mostly documenting consumer hardware, with occasional bits of
software. But I'm hoping that a course like this could help me even if I
carry on mostly doing hardware stuff. I think it could be useful to have a
better grasp of web technologies and to have enough programming knowledge to
write or adapt simple scripts. I know I could learn those things on my own,
but doing formal study does provide a useful framework and a nice bit of
paper at the end.
This course looks quite good: http://www.lcuck.ac.uk/view.asp?task=viewprogramme&level=3&prog_id=571*
*However, I'm not impressed by the admissions department at that college. I
asked for general information about three courses, and was told that they
couldn't give me any more information until I sent photos and certified
qualifications through the mail, and completed the full online application
form (which doesn't work properly and which requires me to choose just one
course).*
*Does anyone know of any other affordable general computing qualifications
offered as distance learning courses?*
*
Joe
On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 7:17 AM, Janet Swisher <jmswisher -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> Hi Joe,
>
> Assuming you're documenting software, it's not going to hurt, and it's
> likely to help. I'm not familiar with certifications in the UK, but I
> believe that having a Java certification got me one job, and probably helped
> on another.
>
> I suggest starting with a basic course, and then deciding whether to pursue
> advanced study, and in what, based on either your interests or your
> opportunities. No point going in depth on networking if your next job is in
> databases, or vice versa.
>
> Good luck.
>
> I'm comfortable with a range of software tools, including Framemaker in
>> structured mode. But I don't have any real knowledge of programming or
>> databases, and not much of an idea about networking either. I think it
>> would
>> give prospective employers a bit more confidence in my abilities if I had
>> some kind of computer science qualification. They might feel reassured
>> that
>> I could talk the same kind of language as developers/engineers, and that I
>> could easily grasp the concepts I'd have to document.
>>
>> The kind of thing I'm thinking of is a part-time course at around
>> first-year
>> university level; one I could do via distance study while continuing to
>> work. One such course in the UK is the BTEC Higher National Certificate in
>> Computer Science. What do people think about this? Would a computer
>> science
>> qualification help me in future? And if so, would a fairly basic one be
>> enough?
>>
>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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-
