Re: Can I Have Your Opinions (Long text)

[Margaret Penman <Margaret -dot- Penman -at- ITS -dot- CSIRO -dot- AU>]

> ...........As Tech Writers, we
> play a role in communicating the customer's needs back into the organization.
>  We have valuable customer knowledge, we must use it to the fullest.

(The following verbiage probably won't interest people unless they are
writing computer manuals or are part of the IT industry.)

Yes John,  I agree... Writers can provide a user's perspective to the
software developers which could help to improve the usability of the
package. I think we all carry the banner for our poor users at one time
or another.

However, our analysis/suggestions might not be welcomed or accepted, or might
come at a stage when it's too late to make any meaningful changes anyway.

But on the bright side, it seems that some (if not all) software
developers are now recognising the fact that the USER INTERFACE can make or
break the commercial success of a package. It can also have a dramatic effect
on the hidden costs of user support. Rumour has it that writers might/will
become more involved with the design of the user interface.  Well that's
certainly using "our valuable customer knowledge...to the fullest".

Or is there more?

I've also heard talk that with better interfaces, better systems and more
proficient users, the need for hardcopy or even online documentation/help
will be dramatically reduced.  In the future, we will all be designing
user interfaces, multi-media or using our writing talents in other fields.
(Is this like the paperless office theory?)

And what happens to our "primary role" then?  Is it being diminished or
expanded?  (I saw your other message John but not the original text you
replied to.)  Do we see ourselves as "writers" or "communicators"?  Isn't
writing just a tool we use to help users understand and use their systems
better?

And if we wish to remain part of the IT industry will we have to become a
hybrid, perhaps a writer/trainer/multi-media/graphic-artist/systems-analyst?
Sounds like a great job to me!  Perhaps I need to take a few courses? Humm....

(Not intended to start a war, just some healthy discussion.)

Margaret Penman (from Oz)
(Well... John did ask for opinions.)
Margaret -dot- Penman -at- its -dot- csiro -dot- au