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Finding the right technical writer - a URL trivialized by the insecure.
Subject:Finding the right technical writer - a URL trivialized by the insecure. From:David Cutten <David_Cutten -at- CPR -dot- CA> Date:Tue, 16 Mar 1999 07:51:58 -0700
Just floating in from the sidelines to defend an honest effort.
I too have issue with Mark Magennis' criticism of the brochure that describes
what to look for when hiring a technical writer. It was a good post that
potential employers can be pointed to. All too often, you see a newspaper add
that reads "Must be proficient with Word", or "Communications degree required."
I think that Lois Patterson was able to see the value in a general list of
skills. To read anything more than that is silly. More paranoid rantings from
someone that is afraid the mysticism might be removed from their career.
We are communicators. We simplify complicated processes and place structured
information at our audience's fingertips.
Sella Rush made some very good points about the brochure yesterday that I am not
going to restate. As for the break down, I don't think you would be hiring a
technical writer that couldn't write. It is a guideline to prevent people from
focusing in the wrong areas.
Someone comfortable in their profession would have realized this, rather than
quoting irrelevant books or pointing out tips on developing lists.
