Instructions - whazza problem?

[Richard Dimock <red -at- ELSEGUNDOCA -dot- ATTGIS -dot- COM>]

Susan reminded us that procedures are part of our bread and butter,
and will use the juice opening problem as part of a TW class.

Reminds me of what happened to me, one time, long ago.

(Artfully Senior TW wheezes a bit, settles rocking chair by fire.)

*************************

In 1970 I had just departed engineering with Uncle Sam's flying
service. Times were tough, recession in full swing, there was the
Boeing billboard in Seattle: "Will the last person leaving Seattle
please turn out the lights?" In Minneapolis I wound up interviewing
at Control Data Corp. for a TW job.

The Boss interviewed me, I sang and danced, the interview was
about over when ---

He hauled over the Swingline 99 desk stapler on his desk, gave it
to me along with a tablet.

"Now write me a manual on this stapler!"

So I went to an empty desk and began to write.

I wrote a full operations and maintenance manual on that stapler,
a good 15 pages in pencil (remember them?). I told how to load,
unload, lubricate, staple to walls, even the games to play shooting
staples about. I used the familiar military organization style, at
secretary reading level. The Boss had to pull me off the tablet,
saying "That's probably enough for what I need!"

I got the job. Sealed my fate.

It's been downhill ever since. ;)

***********************

The test shows how well and how quickly the applicant thinks,
organizes, and writes. That is ?? 70% ?? of what you want to know
about a candidate. Far better than looking at portfolio samples.

Susan, you are definitely on the right track with your juice container
exercise.

Dick Dimock             Artfully Senior Tech Writer for glorious

AT&T Global Information Solutions       esconced grandly in sunny

El Segundo, CA          Where the Hughes Aircraft parking lot is
                        better filled this year than last year.
                        The sole grocery store has been absorbed
                        into the Ralph's chain, all employees
                        retained. Archie the barber thinks the
                        change will be for the good, and he's
                        usually right, he says. Nice town to live
                        in, but housing is too expensive for this
                        writer.