TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Yes - technical writing does not involve just one skill. It's not enough (as I'd previously stated) to understand the business/technology but produce poorly written or inaccurate docs. There's a skill set that's needed - communication, organization, the ability to understand subject matter, troubleshooting, ability to write clearly, etc. etc. etc. If this were a recipe we could argue over what's most needed. And we'd probably differ on what we think what makes a good technical writer & what skill is the most important.
My argument would be that it's most important that the info you give users is accurate & what they need. If you can't do that - then there's not a huge value in giving users wonderfully written and well organized docs that contain irrelevant or wrong info.
Chris Borokowski <athloi -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:
Developing docs involves more skills than writing
alone. It's mainly the organization of that data into
a logical presentation, and knowledge and expertise in
techniques of making it easy to find from multiple
approaches.
--- Mary Arrotti wrote:
> I think of my role as more like "This is my area
> of expertise - I can produce the docs more
> effectively than anyone else."
---------------------------------
Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
Now shipping: Help & Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
to 106 languages with Help & Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-