TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Lifespan of Technical Writing From:Robert Plamondon <robert -at- PLAMONDON -dot- COM> Date:Sat, 22 Mar 1997 18:39:31 PST
Unless something's horribly wrong, much of your original manual will
survive years of product updates.
To see how far this can go, read Benjamin Spock's INFANT AND CHILD CARE
(or whatever its name is -- I don't have it in my office). In spite
of allegedly having been carefully edited, it's full of anachronisms
from at least forty years ago. For example, he mentions using
steam vaporizers for children with colds, and suggests that you
buy a model that holds at least a quart, and to be careful with glass
models. Only a quart? Glass reservoirs? I've never seen such things.
He also mentions glass baby bottles as something not to buy. While
you can get pre-mixed formula in 4-oz. glass bottles (if you look
hard enough), I'll bet you can't find traditional 10-oz. glass baby
bottles anywhere but in an antique shop.
The rule I was taught is, simply: "Technical writing lasts forever."
-- Robert
--
Robert Plamondon, High-Tech Technical Writing, Inc.
36475 Norton Creek Road * Blodgett * Oregon * 97326
robert -at- plamondon -dot- com * (541) 453-5841 * Fax: (541) 453-4139 http://www.pioneer.net/~robertp
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
