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It appears to me that you're looking for a course, not a newsgroup or
mailing list. I think that you'll find a few good ideas from this list
now and then, but it's not a "how-to" list. You'll also find
recommendations for some good books, articles, web sites, etc. that DO
answer some of your questions. You might also find a few
thought-provoking discussions on WHY we do things the way we do...and
why and when it might be time to change the things we do.
You'll also have to don your hip boots to wade through a lot of muck,
but it's worth it in the long run. Some of our folks are a little too
quick with the Reply button, others are just plain mean-spirited. The
vast majority are, however, the kindest, most helpful folks you'll ever
run across. They write everything from policies and procedures to
software manuals to online help, and they include recruiters and web
designers and bosses and "newbies" --- and you know what? I learn from
all of them.
Jane
Jane Bergen, Technical Writer,
AnswerSoft, Inc. Richardson, TX
(972) 997-8355
janeb -at- answersoft -dot- com
On Monday, February 23, 1998 7:02 PM, pmariad [SMTP:pmariad -at- SPRYNET -dot- COM]
wrote:
> 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.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Pmariad
