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I'm not sure if you can get around it without spending at least a little -
but others might disagree. You don't have to spend a lot though. One way
could be to go open source to get the basics down, then to look at the 30
day trials to see what is different - or to try to get older versions or
"cut down" version of the software if you can. So, for example, maybe you
want to learn Creative Suite - but you don't have the money for it. You
could pick up Photoshop Elements which is a lot cheaper, learn that, then
try to get your hands on the documentation for Photoshop CS 5.5 to see what
is different, then the actual tool itself. - Even if you have it for a
short time, you should be able to build on your skills.
Another way to get exposure to technology when your company can't (or
won't) pay, is to look into meetups or user groups - or check out online
seminars or webinars. I don't usually go to ones by tech writing groups
although they can be very good. But a developer meetup - especially the
ones that introduce new technologies - can be quite helpful. Not as good
as getting your hands on the technology, but it could at least keep you
abreast of the ideas presented. Plus, in those groups, often there are
people there who know how to get copies of software or other technologies
for cheap (maybe even free beta copies of a forthcoming release ...). It
is a great way to get ahead of the curve. Plenty of companies also have
free webinars online. Check out podcasts too. That's how I started to
learn about HTML5.
If your company has money, but doesn't want to spend it on documentation,
sometimes it helps to show them a sample of what the documentation could be
like. Sometimes they'll bite if they see that it will help them. But even
if not, the other good part of it is that you get a chance to use the tools
yourself. You might need to do it using your own time, but it is a good
way to keep current AND if your company is ok with it and there are no
"non-disclosure" issues - it can be a good piece for your portfolio and
might result in more cutting edge jobs.
You can take classes on your own online or at a local college. The nice
thing about school is that sometimes you can get the student rate for
software depending on how many classes you take. You can basically get the
class for free for the amount that you are saving on some pieces of
software. Think non-traditional also - like the Poynter Institute for
social media classes (it is for journalists). The public library in
my area teaches graphic design, video and so forth. And the classes are
dirt cheap. Also try stuff yourself. Want to adapt documentation for
learn online help? Try downloading and working with Oracle Help for Java
or winhelp. Get something you already have and try converting it. Really,
what you want are the underlying principles. Use the newer technologies for
your own development space. For example, years ago, I wanted to learn
HTML. So, I and another writer built a web page and used it to manage our
documentation projects. It was free and a great learning project. Or, do
something with a personal aspiration. Many tech writers want to write
books. Well, try to write a short story and publish it as a Kindle single
for example. Kindles are pretty cheap and the software is free. Plus, you
could sell it in their store if you agree with their terms. These are just
examples to show you that plenty of opportunities for exploration exist!
I've also learned tons from watching youtube and following along. Some
very reputable colleges also have channels on youtube and other places
too. Most of what I've seen has been more liberal arts and science type
courses, but there might be technical stuff out there too.
If you want to keep abreast of technological changes, you can definitely do
it without spending a bundle. Hope some of these ideas are helpful!
Oh, and on the scale of 1 - 10, I would say that I'm a 6, but that is
because I just finished a grad school program where I got lots of exposure
to different tools and technological concepts. I've also started to
upgrade my own personal technology tools as well and that has helped
tremendously.
Chantel
On Mon, Jan 16, 2012 at 9:57 AM, Nancy Allison <maker -at- verizon -dot- net> wrote:
> I'm getting concerned about my out-of-touchness with tools and
> technologies.
>
> When I was freelancing, for a while I tried to land contracts with
> startups because I figured they were likely to be the most open-minded
> places, with no prior expectations as to what user documentation should be
> like.
>
> I was totally wrong! Every startup I worked at wanted to use the cheapest
> possible tools, which meant MS Office because everybody had it, and the
> simplest possible output: PDF and online help spun out from the .doc files
> with no alteration.
>
> I've also mostly worked in small places without opportunity for
> collaboration; I don't travel and don't need mobile apps . . . in many
> ways, technologically I'm on the cutting edge of 1995. This has become
> especially clear as I've learnd how other people are using OneNote abnd
> EverNote. They casually toss in remarks about tools and hardware I've never
> seen much less used. (Android? That's a phone, right? Or is it software
> that runs on various phones? I've never needed to find out . . . )
>
> On a scale of 1 to 10, Total Techno-Fuddyduddy to Totally Techno-Advanced,
> where you would place yourself ?
>
> I'd put myself somewhere around a 3 or 4. Since my job doesn't require me
> to use a lot of the newer technologies, how the heck do I get exposure to
> them without spending a bundle of my own money? (Fancy phone, android or
> otherwise, is out because I am a skinflint, unless someone can convince me
> that it is absolutely crucial ...)
>
>
> Fuddyduddily yours,
>
> Nancy
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> Create and publish documentation through multiple channels with
> Doc-To-Help.
> Choose your authoring formats and get any output you may need. Try
> Doc-To-Help, now with MS SharePoint integration, free for 30-days.
>http://www.doctohelp.com
>
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Create and publish documentation through multiple channels with Doc-To-Help.
Choose your authoring formats and get any output you may need. Try
Doc-To-Help, now with MS SharePoint integration, free for 30-days. http://www.doctohelp.com
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