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Elna Tymes said,
"Minor correction - <snip> Technical writing was a recognized profession,
too,
but it was mostly hardware and military. By the late 60's, howevever,
there were plenty of software tech writers around, and by the early 70's
those who didn't know how to write about software were finding tech
writing gigs few and far between. Osborne Publishing Co. was one of the
first to publish software titles, and among its first software books was
an under-the-hood analysis of CP/M."
Major correction <hehe>
Perhaps fair mention should also be made to the true "pioneers" of the
modern technical writing profession. These individuals are those who wrote
for Ford Motor Company, General Motors, et al. I've had the honor of
sharing some conversations with a few of these trailblazers. Only now can I
say that the "elitist" attitude expressed by some on this list (mostly
computer weenies) brings a hearty laugh from many of us who know the meaning
of flexibility, ingenuity and the smell of another person's moccasins.