Re[2]: Examination for Japanese ...

[Vince Putman <PUTMV -at- MAIL -dot- SYNTRON -dot- COM>]

     One answer to a sad problem.  In reply to a direct email reply, I emailed
     Ron <RSMH -at- aol -dot- com>:

     >>>>>
     Ron,

     Thanks for taking the bait.  Please post your comments to the list.  Omit
     my name if you want, but your opinion is well thought.  However, it still
     does not change the fact that we have a very bad reputation as a group.
     Ask around.  Add your $0.02 on what you find.
     <<<<<

     My previous post on the subject of "Examination for Japanese" is repeated
     below:

     >>>>>
     No, Noriko, it makes no sense at all!  Considering the talents required to
     write original copy about technical subjects, (if you do), TechWriters
     should be considered equal to engineers, or above.  And be paid more!

     However, in the real world, all TC's, TW's, and whatever else we are
     called, are "regarded as second-class citizens by engineers" everywhere.
     We are first -- only on the layoff list.  Some may think they are well
     respected in their companies, but they are really just tolerated by the
     engineering staff.  Some have other unrelated talents and attributes which
     help them gain respect, but the respect obtained this way can not be made
     public.  Face it, we are what you will become - Underpaid Wantabees or
     HasBeens.

     You are joining the ranks of those who wish they had pursued a real
     engineering degree.  These feelings occur after years of fighting off the
     reputation of non-technical writers who say they can do the job, and always
     fail.  Help us all by taking at least, a minor in a technical field or as
     many technical subjects as you can!  We need a better rap. . .
     <<<<<

     And Ron again replied:

     >>>>>
     Thanks for the response, Vince. You can forward my note to the list if you
     like.
     <<<<<


     Here is the best reply I have seen . . .


     >>>>>
     Subject: Re: Examination for Japanese ... Author:  RSMH -at- aol -dot- com at
     INTERNET_MAIL Date:    3/8/95 10:56 AM


     Sorry Vince, but I don't agree at all. When I began in this business 7
     years ago, I had no technical background at all. Through my years of
     experience, I have developed a greater level of technical proficiency, but
     I am not a software engineer, and I have no idea what makes the program I
     am documenting do what it does, and frankly I don't care. It has nothing to
     do with my ability to describe to an audience what it is doing. In fact, I
     believe--and I think this has been discussed here before--a certain level
     of naivete puts you closer to the actual user. You may recall in the years
     prior to technical communication professionals how terrible manuals were.
     This is because they were written by engineers who assumed the audience had
     the same level of technical expertise as they did.

     I don't agree with your all-encompassing cynical view of engineers either.
     In many situations I have been involved in, the development team has a
     great deal of respect for a person who can produce a coherent manual from a
     non-working demo and some technical specs. They also recognize that a
     quality manual makes them look more professional because it adds a level of
     professionalism to the overall product.

     There are of course those who think of documenation as an afterthought, but
     having a little technical expertise as provided by a minor in a technical
     field isn't going to buy you any more respect from jerks like that.

     Ron
     <<<<<<