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Re: Do techies really know what other techies need?
Subject:Re: Do techies really know what other techies need? From:Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- AXIONET -dot- COM> Date:Sat, 22 Mar 1997 12:51:23 -0500
Rush <> writes:
|> I have this problem...
|>
|> My problem is that the programmer I work most closely with despises
all
|> my tries at making text more accessible.
|>
|> So, does anyone have any clever techniques for dealing with this
|> argument? BTW--he really does *not* appreciate discussions about
good
|> writing technique.
One of my first teachers (hi, Wendy!) came up with a line I've borrowed
in similar situations.
Whenever other arguments fail, shake your head and say, "Well, if that's
the image you want to project." Say it in a tone that implies that
they're making a BIG mistake, but don't say anything more. Let the
implication sink in.
I've yet to find anyone, techie or not, who is so self-confident that
this trick doesn't undermine their convictions enough that they listen
to you.
--
Bruce Byfield (bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com)
Technical Writer
IBM WAVE Group
Burnaby, BC, Canada
(604) 421-7189
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