Greetings from a Newb...

Subject: Greetings from a Newb...
From: b_c_bolin -at- yahoo -dot- com
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 17:16:02 -0700


I am looking at moving from my current position as network admin to
technical writer, I'm sure you get stuff like this all the time but I
could really use some suggestions. I have been an admin for several years,
documented several network and software projects (mostly in Acrobat and
Word, a little photoshop to enhance diagrams), and most of my writing has
been pretty well received. I've also done some freelance work revising
help desk manuals for a larger company, so I don't want anyone to think
I'm a network closet case who thinks I have mad skillz with Word 97, I am
very serious about making this my full time profession and doing it
correctly. I'm still enjoying the tech work, but want to flex at least a
little creative juice and tech writing does it for me. Unfortunately my
employer continues to reduce our staff and my time for writing is almost
zero now and in the near future.


I have read a number of articles, including the substantial material here
at techwr-l and feel I am capable and ready to start working in this
direction. My short term plan is to collect my best work and do some
volunteer work with a local group to build a decent portfolio and then
start shopping it local contract agencies looking to get on a team or
small project. What I don't know about that part of it is what's expected
on a couple fronts that impact income? Who provides software? Do I need a
laptop or will a workstation be provided (this is a biggy, I am in the
market to replace one of my PCs at home, I don't need a laptop but if it
would help in this area I will get one instead of a desktop)? I've had
basic exposure to almost the entire Adobe line, RoboHelp, etc... but I
wouldn't call myself highly skilled in anything but Word and Acrobat, do I
even bother to mention the other stuff? I manage Wintel boxes, but prefer
to work on a Mac, do i state a preference or just be glad to get work,
even though I am clearly more productive on a Mac? What kind of terms and
conditions are standard for this sort of thing? What type of contract
agency should I approach, I know one type of contract agency does not fit
every job? The market I'm in is pretty bad for tech jobs (northeast Ohio),
so I don't expect to do this full time, but plan to work on getting out of
here this year. Some of this may seem silly, but the first time I
contracted in I.T. the deal I got was pretty poor since I didn't know what
was available and I was just thrilled to be working in the field at all.
Thanks in advance for any input.

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