Re: Status of the Technical Writer

[Chris Borokowski <athloi -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

I'm glad they're doing this. It's overdue. Here's my
proposed definition:

27-nnnn Technical Communicators
Develop and design instructional and informational
tools needed to assure safe, easy, proper and complete
use of technical goods and services. Over the life of
a product, utilize knowledge of user needs to shape
design toward usability and communicability. Combine
multimedia knowledge and strong communication skills
with technical expertise to educate across the entire
spectrum of users' abilities, technical experience,
and visual and auditory capabilities.

--- John Garison <john -at- garisons -dot- com> wrote:

> The STC has a new initiative to update the
> "official" definition of what 
> a technical writer is and does.
> 
> The current definition the U. S. Government, Bureau
> of Labor Statistics 
> (BLS), uses for a technical writer is:
> 
> 27-3042 Technical Writers
> Write technical materials, such as equipment
> manuals, appendices, or
> operating and maintenance instructions. May assist
> in layout work.
> 
> 
> The proposed new definition is:
> 
> 27-1028 Technical Communicators
> Develop and design instructional and informational
> tools needed to
> assure safe, easy, proper and complete use of
> technical goods and
> services. Combine multi-media knowledge and strong
> communication skills
> with technical expertise to educate across the
> entire spectrum of users'
> abilities, technical experience, and visual and
> auditory capabilities.
> 
> 
> If they are basing their rates and work statements
> on the current 
> definition, I can understand why they may not pay so
> much. If it gets 
> changed, we might see an upswing in rates and
> responsibilities that's 
> more in line with current practice. The definition
> in force no has not 
> been changed in about 30 years.


User Interface design blog
http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/
Code::Design::UI::Consulting
http://www.dionysius.com/


      ____________________________________________________________________________________
Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center.
http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/ 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

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

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


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

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