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.
I just joined this listserv and have been fascinated at the world that's
been revealed to me here. I write policy and procedures for a state social
service agency. Currently, we produce just a hard-copy manual (using Word
6), but will eventually produce an online version. After reading all of the
posts in this newsgroup, I realize two things:
1. I've been living in the dark ages vis a vis manual writing, and
obviously need to get up to speed; and
2. Fascinating though this newsgroup is, it's not quite on point for the
kind of writing I do.
Can anyone direct me to a newsgroup or another resource that will enliven a
bureaucratic policy unit and help us serve our customers (front-line staff)
better? I'm looking for fresh ideas on:
1. Manual layout (currently we use a traditional outline format
[I.,A.,1.a.]
2. How to incorporate graphics into the work
3. Writing styles (e.g., voice)
If there's no such newsgroup for us bureaucratic folk (I've looked high and
low already), I will happily stay here. It's obvious I can learn a lot even
though we don't deal much in appliances or websites.
