And now . . .

[Saul Carliner <CUISACX -at- GSUVM1 -dot- BITNET>]

 Thanks to all of you who contributed to the top ten list.  Here's a compiled
 list.  Special thanks to Len, whose suggestions form the core.

 Top Ten Reasons Why Organizations Value Technical Communicators

 10      We cheerfully accept all hardware and software discarded by
         other departments in the company.

 9.      The writing department always has best cartoons posted on
         their bulletin board.

 8.      Somebody to blame for sales slump.

 7.      Know all of the exceptions to the "i before e except after
         c" rule.

 6.      Know all the insider tricks for the word processing and graphics
         packages in case a developer needs to write a memo or create
         overheads  for a talk.

 5.      Can explain manuals for external products to developers and
         engineers.  ( Someone has to translate computer programmer-eze!)

 4.      In a pinch, can decipher the handwriting of anyone else in
         the company.

 3.      Fun to make them panic by introducing new features after the
         latest manual has already been sent to the printer.

 2.      Manuals they write make good doorstops.

  ... and the number one reason organizations value their technical
      communicators ...

 1.      Always politely say "thank you" after being insulted.

 "
 Saul Carliner, Ph.D Student            CUISACX -at- GSUVM1 -dot- GSU -dot- EDU
 Instructional Technology               404/892-3945 (w&h)
 Georgia State University