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The ability to read code and document APIs (RESTful, etc.) is currently in
vogue; I've had to pass a couple of those opportunities due to lack of
hands-on experience (although I'm certain I could quickly learn). Speaking
of adaptability, there are some useful tutorials on YouTube, but one has to
vet them carefully.
There is still a call for Framemaker skills; I used Classroom In a Book to
get myself up-to-speed on one project.
I've also had to recently pass on a gig that involved DITAâagain because of
lack of any actual experience (being an autodidact doesn't count).
Content reusability/repurposing is a big deal today; tools like MadCap
Flare and Atlassian Confluence seem to rule here. I don't know about
Atlassian, but MadCap has a lot of free Flare video tutorials and such on
their site.
Chris Morton
On Mon, Jan 4, 2016 at 11:42 AM, Lonie McMichael <loniemc -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> Hello, Folks:
>
> I searched the archives and have not found any recent conversations on this
> topic. If it has already been discussed, I would appreciate being pointed
> towards the thread.
>
> I am teaching Tools for Technical Writers this semester. My students will
> be writing reports on leading and bleeding edge technologies technical
> writers used to CREATE publications and documentation. Unfortunately, I
> only have the old standards (Adobe, Microsoft, etc.) to use in class.
> However, I can make them aware of what they might be facing when they leave
> school. Also, I do teach them what I call "technological adaptability": how
> to learn new technologies and software packages quickly.
>
> Since this list is the best place I know for such information, right now --
> Jan 2016, in your company and your area, what software are you using to
> create your documentation? Are you exploring any new publication software
> or technologies? Do you see some significant changes coming in the
> relatively near future?
>
> Thanks for any input!
>
> --Lonie McMichael
> Senior Instructor
> UCCS
>
>
>
>
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