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Subject:RE: Information architects? From:"tom -dot- green -at- iwon -dot- com" <tom -dot- green -at- iwon -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Sun, 22 Aug 2004 12:13:54 -0400 (EDT)
I have met some people who were once "Technical Writers" and are now "Information Architects." In one meeting (STC I might add), it was suggested that we be called Information Architects as opposed to Technical Writers. It seems to me that an Information Architect is very different from a Technical Writer. As a example, go to Monster and run a search for "Information Architect". Although some aspects of the job description (which is widely varied) may involve information gathering and logistics (like Tech Writing) I see little relation to Tech Writing. It may well be a job that is beyond the capabilities of a lowly Tech Writer (according to Goeff). If I have to have the abilities you describe Goeff such as, the "ability to combine usability skills and an understanding of cognitive psychology with profound knowledge of access and retrieval
methods," I would first have to understand what that means in plain english. So, since I have to research to understand that a "profound knowledge of access and retrieval methods" means more than just knowing what resources are out there to get the information I need, I may not be a good candidate to be an "Information Architect."
I do not intend to criticize you Goeff, in fact I agree with you. I just don't believe it necessary that the Technical Writer title be changed to Information Architect.
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