Re: New TECHWR-L Poll Question

["Eric Ray \(Web\)" <ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com>]

> Lurker writer wrote:
> > 
> > I had to answer "other/none of the above" and judging by the high
> percentage
> > of responses in this category, I think the question shows a bias
> toward
> > software products. It appears that a significant percentage of
> respondents
> > don't work in areas where being a product user is required...
> > 

Quoting Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com>:
> Admittedly, in some cases, having a tech-writer actually use the
> product isn't practical (believe me, you wouldn't want me trying 
> to fly a plane!). 
> 
> However, is there any case in which a tech-writer doesn't need at
> least theoretical knowledge of how to use the product?

I was wondering that too. I mean, it's been 9 years since I
did hardware docs--heavy machinery, FWIW--but I sure put in my
time on the factory floor in assembling and disassembling
the machinery. (I was uninvited by management, but welcome by the
line workers.) I also went out on the proving ground and 
_used_ the stuff. As a product user, I was far more prepared to
develop useful docs.

Eric

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