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.
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That's one of the many reasons I love the book AND its title. Of course I'm not an idiot, but sometimes, yes, I do feel like one. Reading Krista Van Laan's book and keeping it handy helps me feel slightly less idiotic.
Craig
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Tim J. Slager
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 11:09 AM
To: McLauchlan, Kevin; Krista Van Laan; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Question about "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Technical Writing"
I think "complete" modifies Guide. That's what makes it clever. I rather like the title. Something Socratic there, reminding us of our ignorance.
tims
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+tslager=isdcorporation -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+tslager=isdcorporation -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of McLauchlan, Kevin
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 10:56 AM
To: Krista Van Laan; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Question about "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Technical Writing"
I think there MIGHT be one or two "For Dummies" books around the house, and those were bought grudgingly.
But there's never been a "Complete Idiot's..." book of any sort, and never will. I do see why people are put off.
The "For Dummies" thing was amusing and relatively gentle, on the order of "nerds" and I guess "geeks", but the series title for "Complete Idiots" seemed both NOT endearing and ... well... a little grasping and desperate.
People can go along with a congenially ribbing "dummy"
moniker, but when it comes to calling themselves a "complete idiot" about something, that's where the line is drawn. They can call themselves that, but they won't stand for other people calling them that.
With that said, I wouldn't "review" or rate a book or any other product without reading it.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Krista Van Laan
>
> I don't keep up with TECHWR-L so much anymore, so I was surprised and
> pleased to see my name. (Thanks, Craig!) We're actually working on an
> update for this book which I hope to have out early in 2012. The
> easily offended will be happy to learn that the book will have a new
> title without the word "Idiot" in it, since the rights reverted to the
> authors. That was so depressing on amazon.com to see people giving it
> zero stars when they admitted they hadn't read it, just because they
> didn't like the title for the series.
>
> Krista Van Laan
>
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