TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: "Space, the final frontier" From:Kat Nagel/MasterWork <katnagel -at- EZNET -dot- NET> Date:Tue, 11 Feb 1997 14:28:41 -0500
>This is a query about work environments, just because I'm interested in
>learning under what physical (environmental) conditions other tech writers
>(or communicators, if you will) find themselves employed. We've moved
>recently, and now work in 8 x 8 foot modular cubes, what we refer to as
>"pods," and we now call ourselves "pod people."
Ack! Ptui!
>
>If you have time, please describe your work area, including: home office or
>on-site,
Home office, most of the time. Occasionally have to suffer on site, if
client absotively posilutely insists.
>square feet,
12 ft x 14 ft
<sound of rusty gears grinding>
Uh---guess that's---um---140+28=168 sq. ft.
>natural light or lack thereof,
Corner room.
Windows on the east. Windows on the south.
Bright natural light from 9AM-4PM in fall/winter/spring. Aimable ceiling
lights, plus wall fixture and movable task lighting for summer, when the
oak and maple trees bush out.
>cubes/pods v. open
>spaces v. enclosed offices,
One big open room---big enough for a huge L-shaped desk, lateral files with
space on top for piles, bookcases, fax machine, 2 extra chairs, and a bunch
of plants. BUT, I have a door I can close when there is something else
going on in the house.
>quiet v. the din of phones ringing and people
>talking.
Veryvery quiet most of the time.
Home phone does NOT ring in office.
Usually, the only noises are the ones I -choose- at any given time
(radio, CDs, cats).
>If you have a "real office" (one with floor to ceiling walls and
>maybe even a door), does everyone in the company/office/unit have one, or
>are you special (because of seniority, supervision responsibilities,
>whatever)?
One person operation, here. Oh, my husband has his own study where he
prepares lesson plans, corrects paper, and tapes educational TV stuff for
his classes
>
>Do you find that your work space affects your output or morale?
YES!
>Or are you
>the kind who could do creative work in a busy railroad station, fumes and
>all, and not be negatively affected?
Hate distractions. Have trouble concentrating in an enclosed space with
other people's noise, even small body movements. Get stressed out when I
have to listen to large ventilation systems, elevator dings, doors
opening/closing, phones, conversations, file drawers sliding, footsteps,
etc.
OTOH, if I'm really fascinated with something, or totally involved in
problem-solving, I can submerse myself in my work under -any- conditions.
I've worked with my laptop computer in doctor's offices, airports, loading
docks, and crowded busses. Unfortunately I am easily bored, and can't
count on maintaining a consistant enough fascination level with most
projects. So---I control the environment instead.
>If you work from home, was the
>working environment part of your decision to contract? to telecommute?
Yes.
>
>Add any other work-environment info you'd like to share. Respond to me
>directly if you will, and if there's interest, I'll summarize to the list.
>
>Thanks for your time.
>
>Virginia Link
>Linkvi -at- mail -dot- state -dot- wi -dot- us
>
> TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
>to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
> to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
> Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
>browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
@Kat _________________________________________ katnagel -at- eznet -dot- net
Kat Nagel MasterWork Consulting Services, Rochester, NY
Technical writing/Document & website design/Publications planning
"I be thinkin that Ebonics be stupid."/Spike Lee
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
