Re: Spinoff: Using Linux for work? was RE: Why Tech-Writers Should Know About Open Source Technologies

[Sean Wheller <sean -at- inwords -dot- co -dot- za>]

On Thursday 15 September 2005 19:16, Bruce Byfield wrote:
> To translate for those who don't know Linux:

Thanks Bruce for that narration. So, what does this demo imply relating to  
the "Should Know About" in the subject. Well, you need to learn a new lingo, 
new tools and new set of rules.

Open Source Technologies are not developed using the same rules most of our 
employers apply when developing software products. A case close to our hearts 
is documentation. Most Open Source products don't have documentation and when 
they do, don't expect all the answers. You will be lucky if you have some 
reference information written by a developer.

Next step in doc is tutorial. If a software product as tuts then it's almost 
mature. As finally, usage docs. Whoooohooo! if a project has these then it is 
strutting and normally very mature or just plain lucky to have a technical 
writer who started on the project early :-)

Now all this sounds like hell, but strangely enough it is not. It's rather 
stimulating.

Hmm, what else .... ah, yes. Next place after getting your expectations right 
and then a good reading the GNU/GPL is to understand the the horse and 
carriage of open source culture. Now whether you start with the horse or you 
start with the carriage depends on what type of technical writer you are. If 
you are in the marketing side of technology start with understanding
http://www.cluetrain.org
If you are in the technical side of software development start with 
understanding
http://www.opensource.org/

Next step, get involved in a project, feel the ropes.
-- 
Sean Wheller
Technical Author
sean -at- inwords -dot- co -dot- za
084-854-9408
http://www.inwords.co.za
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Registered Linux User #375355
http://wenzani.blogspot.com/

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