RE: Bone-headed Question

["Walden Miller" <wmiller -at- vidiom -dot- com>]

"I would prefer something more along the lines of end-user
documentation and training, but I'm okay with software documentation.

 Any thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated. "

David,

Like others that have replied, I am mystified by the end-user vs. software
distinction you make.

Documentation that accompanies a product (or is the product) is end-user
documentation.  The end-user is the variable that defines how different the
docs have to be.  API documentation is an end user doc for the application
developer; installation documentation is an end user doc for the installer;
"how to" instructions are end user docs for the dad building the swing-set,
etc.

I am uncertain of the origin of the term end-user doc, but my faulty memory
puts emphasis on the polishing of documents for delivery and a way of
distinguishing "internal" documents from public documents.  In other word,
marketing speak that became mainstream.  These distinguishing features still
hold true.  End-user docs should be polished (but often aren't) and are
quite different from internal documents (but often aren't).

Regardless of distinctions and quality of documents, you can make a living
off of writing internal docs for software companies, insurance companies,
banks, etc.  You can also make a living writing end-user docs for insurance,
banking, marketing, hardware, etc.

Software is just a large market for hiring writers.

Good luck on your job search,

walden



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Now Shipping -- WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word! Easily create online
Help. And online anything else. Redesigned interface with a new
project-based workflow. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l

Doc-To-Help 2005 now has RoboHelp Converter and HTML Source: Author 
content and configure Help in MS Word or any HTML editor. No 
proprietary editor! *August release. http://www.componentone.com/TECHWRL/DocToHelp2005

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- infoinfocus -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archiver%40techwr-l.com

Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.