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.
Why would anyone lurk, and not post messages? For the same reason he or she
joins innumerable STC SIGs--information.
Why would a lurker leave the list? Lack of useful information.
Of the thousands of university students, both undergraduate and graduate, a
large chunk are lurkers, here or on the STC boards. Why don't they
contribute more? For the exact same reason they all fill in "it was flippin'
wonderful" when asked--every semester in every class--to comment on the
class and instructor. Because every good student knows that every good
instructor keeps track of who says what, and those "evaluation comments" can
come back to haunt you.
Does anyone really expect openness and honesty, on this forum, or in a
university evaluation? Nope. What they expect is what they get--carefully
reasoned answers and responses designed not to offend or "negatively impact"
either final grades or career options.
Consider--if I rudely shoot down a poster for something I consider utter
drivel, then find out later that the poster is the hiring manager at the
firm at which I am seeking employment, has my freedom to post my real
opinions benefitted me?
Sure, we lurk. We are trying to learn, because to a great extent, we are the
tech writers of the future. We are the ones with whom you will be competing,
not just for new positions, but for the positions you already hold--and we
are better trained, better educated, and better motivated than many of the
current group of tech writers who seem to have gained employment in (what
used to be)a high-demand employment field.
Remember the Cultural Revolution in China? And the result? Consider lurkers
a compliment to the interesting and illuminating postings on this list. When
we have something to say, we will say it. For now, many of us are simply
learning an extremely interesting field of endeavor. Our personal opinions
and inclinations can wait.
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