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.
From:Mitch Berg <mberg -at- IS -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 26 Mar 1997 16:22:54 -0600
Steven Warren echoed some of my own observations about this mailing list:
> Question:
>
> I am under the assumption that this is a list for technical writers to
> learn through their peers. I have been reading and participating
> occasionally for several months. Every time I try to be helpful or say
> something, other people on the list say oooh! here is a opportunity to
slam
> someone. Who cares that there in my profession or that they are trying to
> learn, or that they might not be as experienced as I am. I'll slam them
> anyway.
>
> Why?
* Like any place in life, there are insecure people who need to
validate themselves by invalidating others.
* This being an e-mail list, it is anonymous. There are fewer
inhibitions to acting aggressively or in a manner that, in
face-to-face communication, would be considered
unacceptable.
It's not a palatable combination.
> I feel this is the reason many people are afraid to give there comments.
> Are there any other people who feel the same way I do. Just curious?
This is true of ANY mailing list. Don't be afraid - there truly IS no
stupid question. For every bitter, small-minded dim bulb that trashes you,
there must be at least a few who respond helpfully - right?
That being said - I'm on a number of mailing lists. Some are vocational
(Techwr-l, UTEST, etc) and others are not. I find that, while I always get
useful answers on this list, the level of conversation descends very
quickly to fairly venal bickering - especially by the standards of
"professional" listservs. On the positive side, it means there is a lot of
interest in the list. On the negative side, it IS intimidating, and it
lowers the signal/noise ratio.
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
