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.
Subject:Re: Usability Testing From:MAGGIE SECARA <SECARAM -at- MAINSAVER -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 21 May 1999 11:37:42 -0700
I think not evereyone is reading the question as it was written. It wasn't
about whether we should test the product against the doc, but whether
testing _without writing at all_ was part of our job. The mind-numbing part
was repetetive testing, not using the software while writing about it.
If you were hired to write, it's not unreasonable to expect to write
something. Just pressing the Ribbit button over and over to see if it
crashes isn't what I signed up for..
Maggie
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sonja Waller (SWUS) [SMTP:Sonja -dot- Waller -at- SMALLWORLD-US -dot- COM]
> Sent: Friday, May 21, 1999 11:34 AM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Re: Usability Testing
>
> I agree with Leona. I always test my documentation with the application.
> In
> fact, when I worked at my previous job, the system tester always used my
> documentation when they tested the application.
>
> Sonja Waller
> Sr. Technical Writer
> Smallworld Systems, Inc.
> Communications Business Unit
>
> TEL: 303.268-6163
> FAX: 303.779-9945
>
> Email:
> sonja -dot- waller -at- smallworld-us -dot- com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Leona Dupree [mailto:llmdupree -at- YAHOO -dot- COM]
> Sent: Friday, May 21, 1999 12:31 PM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Usability Testing
>
>
> I never hand over my documentation without testing it against the
> product. I don't mind testing what I have written because I want to
> make sure it works according to what the software does. Why would any
> Technical Writer have a problem with this being a part of the writing
> process, if there are no QA personnel on board?
> ===
> Sincerely,
> Leona L. Magee-Dupree
>
>