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You may recall that last month I surveyed the Technical Writer's List on the
Internet. I asked for each of you to send me a message that
indicated your current computer platform. Several of you requested that I
post the results of this informal survey on the list. Here it is.
There were 120 responses. Two responses did not identify any platform but did
discuss the disadvantages of the Macintosh platform. These responses were
appreciated but had nothing to do with my question. Two other responses
discussed the nature of the question. The question, in their opinion, did not
belong on the list and would not yield any useful information.
The remaining 116 responses required some interpretation on my part. Several
responses indicated that one system was used in the office and another was used
in the home. In this case both platforms were counted.
Others indicated that one platform was used in one office while another
platform was used down the hall. Once again, both were counted. This
interpretation may skew the results a little.
The results are:
} 72 respondents use a Macintosh;
} 79 respondents use an IBM or clone (this includes those working in OS/2,
Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and Windows NT environments);
} 19 respondents use a Unix platform (the author sincerely apologizes for
lumping Unix in with "other"); and
} 1 respondent uses a "work station."
Additional Interesting Information
From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000====
According to respondents, the closer you get to the publishing industry the
more you will require the Macintosh platform. The closer you get to the
engineering types the more you will require a PC.
Unix is often referred to as the superior platform even by those who do not use
it.
Conclusion
From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000====
To work with a variety of clients it would seem logical to invest in a multiple
platform environment.
Thank you for your assistance.
Dr. James Lenze
Lenze -at- ltu -dot- edu
(810) 204-3658
Technical Communication Program
Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI 48075-1058
