Re: Recommended apps to learn as a new tech writer...

[Lisa Wright <lisawright -at- mail -dot- utexas -dot- edu>]

Andy,
I think a few people have touched on this, but I think it's worth 
emphasizing. More important than learning a given tool is to learn how 
tools in that space are put together, which makes your skills infinitely 
transferable. Also, if you learn them in the context of doing something 
related to tech writing, it will be even more valuable. Learn the tool, 
but that's just a starting point.

For example, if you take a computer-based class in document design that 
uses a recent version of QuarkXPress as a tool, then you will be miles 
ahead. You will understand the basics of a lot of different 
elements--page layout, fonts, graphics. You will also understand how to 
maximize the tool to be efficient--the use of styles, master pages, etc. 
 You will not be an expert but you will know that such concepts exist 
and when you see them in other contexts, they will make sense. You will 
also be able to apply the software skills to InDesign. (For those who 
are going to say that page layout is not terribly relevant in today's 
online world, think of an equivalent that works. This just happens to be 
the path I took and it served me well and still does today.)

With that said, I'd learn the following tools/technologies:

* Dreamweaver/web publishing. Learn HTML and other web technologies.
* MS Word/Office. It's ubiquitous.
* RoboHelp or another online help tool. Very important: understand how 
online information is organized and why. Understand all the 
pieces--navigation, glossary links (see thread this week?), etc. The MS 
help toolkit (can't remember the name) and basic JavaHelp toolkit from 
Sun are stripped down and can really help you understand the basics.
* Adobe Acrobat and how you get docs into PDF format. This isn't nearly 
as complicated as it used to be, but not that many people who want them 
know how to do it.
* XML-based document production, not sure what tools that means. Maybe 
combine this with the web publishing above. XML is tricky, because it is 
abstract. I have yet to go to an "XML for Technical Writers" workshop 
that was useful. Understanding the difference between semantic and 
formatting markup is helpful. I learned more about XML working on an 
XML-based legal matters system than I ever have in tech writing.

FWIW, we are implementing a content management system that is not XML 
based. I wish it were because there are some collaborative editing tools 
that I would love to have, and I'd be able to combine content differently.

HTH,
Lisa

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