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> I find your stance equally disturbing and humorous. You seem to think there
> is only one kind of technical and one kind of ignorance. Knowledge is not a
> boolean. Given how much time I have for education, I'd rather spend it on
> subjects that benefit my users than subjects that make you happy.
As a ***TECHNICAL*** communicator, ignoring the technical details makes a
writer less capable. It diminishes a writer's capability to effectively
communicate with an audience.
In my opinion there are three aspects to a decent writer (in order of
importance):
1) Command of the subject matter.
2) Command of the reader's needs.
3) Command of language.
If a writer is missing any of these parts, he/she is lacking and not capable of
communicating effectively.
Basically, Michael, your assertion is that #1 isn't important. You can slip by
with #2 and #3.
Yes. You can. Many tech writers have merely a command of language and a weak
command of the reader's needs. However, I assert that these are less qualified
writers that those that can handle all three.
There is no excuse for ignorance.
I also assert that the preponderance of these types of writers are why so many
engineers roll their eyes and sigh when they have to work with a technical
writer. They are sick and tired of people who defend their ignorance as if it
were a recognized skill.
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