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: An Engineer has infected my young mind! From:"Ed Hanson" <edhanson -at- uswest -dot- net> To:"Sierra Godfrey" <kittenbreath -at- hotbot -dot- com>, "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 18 May 2000 15:07:32 -0600
Sierra,
I think you explained your dilemma rather well. Stand up for yourself.
Engineers don't know how to write. They know how to design widgets.
Tech Writers know how to present information in a useful way.
Listen to what he has to say, tell him "thank you very much",
and go write the manual the way it should be written:
In a structured, easily followed, well layed out format.
Check out Information Mapping, you may find it useful.
Good luck.
Ed Hanson
Technical Communicator
-----Original Message-----
From: Sierra Godfrey <kittenbreath -at- hotbot -dot- com>
To: TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Thursday, May 18, 2000 1:33 PM
Subject: An Engineer has infected my young mind!
>I am a young, relatively inexperienced technical writer. Nevertheless, I
have a permanent job where I am the only tech writer in the company. My boss
and his boss, the president of the company, have both let me know they are
pleased with my work.
>
>But because I'm the only one here, and don't have much experience, I
sometimes really question what I'm doing.
>
>After a talk today with the software engineer who's product I'm writing a
large manual for, I became confused. I'm hoping you Listers can help me sort
things out.
>
>The engineer insists the manual should be presented as a reference manual,
with all the information there, and very little tutorial-style steps. I
disagree--the product is complex and difficult to understand.
>I feel the only way a customer will be able to wade through it is to know
the necessary actions that must be performed to get it working and maitain
it, and follow short steps to achieve them.
>
>The engineer feels manuals should be read two to three times over, because
the information is densse, and include all points. I disagree. There are
different types of readers, to be sure, but my readers will not know
anything about this product and will need a lifeboat--user-friendly, short
steps. Not all the information at once, which they won't know what to do
with.
>
>I'm not sure I'm explaining myself well. The engineer has crazy ideas about
documentation, and indeed will not let me have on my own, but first presents
me with his version of the manual.
>
>How do you all deal with what engineers want and what you know should be
the correct way to present the info? How do you incorporate what the
engineer, who knows the most about the product, is trying to say, while
everyone else knows it's hard stuff to learn? Should I rephrase my question?
>
>Thankyou.
>Sierra
>
