Re: You're SUPPOSED to have good communication skills if you're a tech writer

Subject: Re: You're SUPPOSED to have good communication skills if you're a tech writer
From: Jan Henning <henning -at- r-l -dot- de>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 21:00:16 +0200


Most people can write.
Fewer people can explain.
Fewer people still know how to use machine X.

That depends - if machine X is an automobile, more people can use it than can write (in the sense that I'm using the term).

Using machine X is valuable because it produces some economic good. That
good may be contingent in its own right, but for now we can treat using
machine X as the reference point for value.

So, knowing how to use machine X is directly valuable. If I know how to use
it, I can use it and using it is good.

Knowing how to use machine X is valuable:
- if there is a machine X
- if there is somebody who will buy the goods produced

Knowing how to write is valuable:
- if there is something to write about
- if somebody will read it

I fail to see the fundamental difference; in particular I fail to see in which sense knowing how to use machine X can be said to be valuable in its own right as opposed to as a means to an end (your contrast).

Regards
Jan Henning

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RE: You're SUPPOSED to have good communication skills if you're a tech writer: From: Mark Baker

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