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I think this depends on whether you are creating user documentation or
systems/technical documentation. Each require an understanding of the way
the software works, but to different degrees. I do both, but the majority
of my effort is on user documentation (which you call documenting the GUI).
Katherin King wrote:
> For those of you who document software applications, how much of what
> you do is documenting the GUI and how much of it is documenting the
> underlying structure, the means by which the GUI is implemented? In
> other words, how important is it, do you think, for tech writers to
> understand the inner workings of the software?
>
> Kathy Stanzler
> Technical Writer
> Brooktrout Technology Inc.
> Southborough, MA
> (508) 786-9182
> kking -at- brooktrout -dot- com
>