Re: DEBATE: Word-processing or DTP

["SEIGLER, Sherri" <sseigler -at- SHL -dot- COM>]

I like to write, edit, and use graphics.  I don't have much imagination
so I am a little
weak in the graphics department, but when I put something in there that
looks good,
I am one proud technical communicator.  My current company has been
extremely
pleased (so they say) with the outcome of my efforts. I don't want to
ever be labeled
"just a writer".

Sherri Seigler
MCI Systemhouse

>-----Original Message-----
>From:  House, Barry [SMTP:BHouse -at- LRS -dot- COM]
>Sent:  Wednesday, July 22, 1998 1:14 PM
>To:    TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
>Subject:       Re: DEBATE:  Word-processing or DTP
>
>On Wednesday, July 22, 1998 12:37 PM, Bernie McCann
>[SMTP:BernieMc -at- AOL -dot- COM] wrote:
>>
>> Personaly, and generally speaking, I prefer writers to do what they
>ought to
>> do best - write.  Their tool for this should be a word-processor.
>Upon
>> completion of that task, it should be finished by a really competent
>computer
>> operator using a dtp application (someone who would have no problem
>with the
>> difficult questions seen on this newsgroup .... and someone who,
>probably,
>> doesn't even read this).
>
>Yeah, and when you do only what you do best, you often get labeled "JUST
>a writer." After all, everyone learned to write back in grade
>school--the rest of the world learned other skills while we slogged
>along doing nothing else.
>
>I've earned my living as a writer for nearly 20 years now, and even from
>the beginning, when I was a reporter for a small newspaper, I also shot
>photos and did page layout work. I handled basic page design in my first
>couple of tech writing jobs, and during my years in marketing and
>corporate communication, I was in on design, management, and
>distribution planning--not to mention the strategic planning involved in
>'shaping' the message to be communicated.
>
>Now that I'm back in a tech writing role, my employer is looking to me
>for ideas on format, organization, media (we may distribute on CD real
>soon), and, yes, the actual writing.
>
>What I've learned through all of this is, some companies may be willing
>to hire a writer, but they will be happy to hire and pay someone (and
>pay them well sometimes) to help them communicate effectively. I was
>once asked to use MultiMate to write and lay out a manual; the company
>eventually bought Ventura Publisher for me to learn. My current employer
>is looking to switch from Word to FrameMaker. If we do, I'll learn that
>software--and I will be more valuable as a writer/communicator for my
>employer and for ME!
>
>Never been just a writer and I don't plan to start now.
>
>Barry House
>
>
>