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.
Re[2]: Liberal Arts Grads Can't "Grasp?" Give me a f&*#ing b
Subject:Re[2]: Liberal Arts Grads Can't "Grasp?" Give me a f&*#ing b From:Scott Miller <scott_miller -at- CCMAIL -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 10 Sep 1997 10:45:53 -0800
>>
Didn't we just have a huge flame war about this recently? Within the
last coupla months? Please, please don't start down this road again!!
>>
My liberal arts background has trained me to see things microcosmically, so I'm
able to see that a discussion of techy writer versus non-techy writer is
differant from a discussion of degreed writer versus non-degreed writer, which
is what the previous incredibly long thread was about. On the other hand, my
liberal arts background has also trained me to see things macrocosmically, so
when someone says I can't be a technical writer, I don't give a hoot and just
laugh all the way to the bank. Also, I agree with what's-his-name. The verbose
one. Chris Schweda. Right. Well put, Chris.
- Scott_Miller -at- ccmail -dot- com
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>A person whose training is geared too much toward liberal arts or a
>technical field is not going to be a great technical writer.
>
>Pure techies tend to downplay the softer side of technical writing
>(user-friendly wording, attractive layout, etc.) which are required in
>good documentation, while pure liberal arts folks tend not to fully
>grasp
>what they are talking about. That's not intended as an insult...it just
>reflects a lack of training in a certain area. Many, many writers
>without
>much technical training often "just don't get" what they're writing
>about, and it takes a techie to catch such errors.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>
>
>Best laugh I've had all morning. Unfortunately, not only is this
>patently false, but it's also a mode of thinking that's dangerously
>prevalent among many a high-tech companies (or companies who fancy
>themselves as "cutting edge."). For these reasons, I respond.
>
><snip>
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
