Re: Tech Writer as Webmaster

[Shmuel Ben-Artzi <sba -at- NETMEDIA -dot- NET -dot- IL>]

Bev,

You're very much on the right track. The proper description for one who
specifically creates and maintains Web pages (perhaps representing a major
Web site) is a "Web author". In some medium-sized companies which do not
maintain their own Web server, one who coordinates and maintains the work of
several Web authors might be called a Webmaster (though this is technically
a misnomer).

At the very least, the Web author should have a comprehensive knowledge of
HTML (though many work primarily with cut-and-paste methods, using
templates), graphical and typographical considerations as they relate
*specifically* to on-line documents (text, backgrounds, graphics,
multimedia, etc.), the dynamics of on-line page layout and overall Web site
design, the proper use of both internal and external links, and more. It is
important to keep in mind here that the typographical and page layout
considerations for an on-line document are often *very* different than those
for a printed document.

Many Web authors, especially those who use elements like complex forms, Java
applets and other such elements will also learn to write client-side scripts
in Perl, Java Script and other language derivatives. The Web Author who
aspires to be a well-rounded professional will also learn at least the
basics of server-side scripting.

The Webmaster may in fact also be a Web author, and may maintain the pages
created by Web authors. His domain, however, is the Web server. It is not
necessary to detail his functions here, and they may differ considerably
from one site to another. Suffice to say that he must understand everything
necessary for the operation of his company's server, the subsidiary hardware
and the server-side software. He must also have a firm grasp of the internal
client-server relationship and of external communications with other networks.

There is a nautural path of migration from writing printed documentation to
becoming a Web author. The initial training needed is now readily available
both on-line and in classroom settings. But to say that the changeover will
be an *easy* process is a gross misstatement. It literally represents a
major paradigm shift.

Shalom,

Shmuel Ben-Artzi
Data services manager, Ulpan Akiva
Netanya, Israel
sba -at- netmedia -dot- net -dot- il

>I don't think "webmaster" is a term that can be correctly applied to a
>person who writes HTML. (Although a webmaster may also do mark-up.) A
>webmaster, at least as I've been led to believe, is the system
>administrator of a Web server, and does not necessarily have anything to
>do with creating Web pages.

>Bev Parks


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