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Subject:Re: Certification: Ernest and Scribbler From:Wade Courtney <wade -dot- courtney -at- gmail -dot- com> To:Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com> Date:Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:11:57 -0700
Well, so far whether or not I am a good technical writer has been the
subjective opinion of someone else. As with many other certifications, just
because a person has one, doesn't mean they are any good. There are a number
of doctors, lawyers, mechanics, and various other careers that have
certifications, yet there are many of those same people who I wouldn't let
touch me or my car.
We could do what law enforcement does. Along with the skills part of being a
tech writer (writing, tool knowledge, English knowledge) maybe we should
include a psychological evaluation in front of a panel of experts to
determine if we have the personality to be tech writers.
;)
On Sun, Jul 18, 2010 at 8:51 PM, Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>wrote:
> > Second I don't believe that there is an empirically objective way to
> > measure someone's effectiveness as a technical writer.
>
> As someone with management experience, I disagree.
>
> I've been holding my tongue in this thread (aside from my initial
> question of which writer was the bozo)...
>
> I think it's too early to critique what they are doing, as they have
> quite a long way to go. I think Steve's post was more to get
> assistance with just one small aspect, and as he indicated, a more
> entertaining part, likely to be used in some kind of explanation or
> marketing (I'm guessing).
>
> I'll be tracking progress on STC's certification program, as it's of
> interest to me. I'm not a supporter or a detractor of certification,
> but I'm certainly curious.
>
> --
> Bill Swallow
>
> Twitter: @techcommdood
> Blog: http://techcommdood.com
> LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/techcommdood
>
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