Re: What is the tool of choice?

[Jonathan Leer <jleer -at- MV -dot- MV -dot- COM>]

Thanks for your thoughts on which tool to use.

Yes, it seems that we writers end up having to use what the client has.
I have been writing for 18 years with 9 of those years as a consultant.
And I reluctantly use what the client has.  Although I believe this is wrong.

I would prefer to write everything in my tool of choice.  Or, at least write
all drafts in my tool and convert it into the client's domain at production
time.  However, this does  not happen often without major pains.

Unfortunately I believe that writers in general have a difficult time selling
their expertise... and the client tends to believe that the desktop publishing
resources at the company have to be used.  In my experience, most companies
publishing resources were poorly acquired without any short and long-term
planning.  So, as the consultant, I am stuck.  "If you want the job, you have
to write with this tool and use this platform."

I believe that desktop publishing has certainly given the power of the press
to the public but it has also reduced the concept of a technical writer as
being an expert and professional.  Certainly I am appalled that recruiters
present a project to a senior writing consultant who has extensive experience
in the product technical area as well as years of experience with various
writing and illustration tools and says that the client won't use anyone
who does not have recent experience using nroff/troff or AMIPro.  As if
a 3 month training course in Pagemaker will change anybody into a proficient
technical writer.

So, to sum it up, the more we sell the concept of hire the "writer" rather
than hire the tool user, the better our lot as technical writers will become.

Thanks,

jon Leer