Re: Certification

[Tracy Boyington <trlyboyi -at- GENESIS -dot- ODVTE -dot- STATE -dot- OK -dot- US>]

Rick Lippincott wrote:
> There is another huge problem that
> we've overlooked: hardware vs. software. The expertise required for one type
 of
>  tech communication is far different from the knowledge required for the
 other.
> A hardware tech writer might need to know things such as tensile strengths,
> metallurgy, non-destructive inspection, high-voltage or high-temperature
> effects, corrosion control, torque values.... whew, the list goes on and on.
> It's quite likely that the hardware tech writer does -not- need any
 programming
>  skills, nor the slightest clue how to read code.

And what about those of us who write about neither hardware nor
software? Or am I the only one? If we *do* get into certification,
which I'm still not convinced is a great idea, it would have to be
certification of basic communication skills, not whether you can read
code or perform non-destructive inspection. Unless you wanted to get
into specialty areas, I suppose.

Tracy


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Tracy Boyington
Technical Communication Specialist
Oklahoma Department of Vocational & Technical Education
Stillwater, Oklahoma

I never express opinions, but if one slips out, it belongs
to me and not ODVTE.

"I think I did pretty well, considering I started out
with nothing but a bunch of blank paper."
-- Steve Martin
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