RE: Technical Writer tests (again)

Subject: RE: Technical Writer tests (again)
From: "Dori Green" <dgreen -at- associatedbrands -dot- com>
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 11:49:16 -0400

Pro TechWriter wrote:

Yes, there are at least seven errors on the explanation page! CHA-CHING!

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I don't know about anybody else, but I have never yet found a template that hasn't required major rework to meet my notoriously high standards. I wouldn't use something like this without big tweaks, and the errors might have been added intentionally to embarrass people who try to use it without paying. I'm looking at it as a starting point to weed out the applicants who want a sit-down cubicle job but are as functionally illiterate as the "normal" curve of employees. For this specific purpose, it might be well worth $30.

I've had to put mucho time into reworking entire "boilerplate" manual templates but they were still useful. Notable examples have been guaranteed-compliant ISO quality manuals and OSHA safety booklets (13 pp) and safety program manuals (173 pp). To be honest, I might have done faster and better work writing straight from the ISO standard (which itself can function as a template for the quality manual and is designed to work that way). The template was written in Europe but it came with a nice Access document control database template for $400. Fields were named in Dutch but my high school German usually got me through. Training as an ISO internal auditor has made me into my own SME, which also helped. But it was a useful start and worth what we paid.

I would still be splashing around in OSHA's 600-page requirements document if it wasn't for the $99 template.

This was a great reminder that templates are starting points. Thanks!

Dori Green
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