Re: Tasks versus Job Descriptions

[Bill Swallow <swallow -at- USERTECH -dot- COM>]

Let's have a go at this.

In my opinion, a writer is useless unless s/he knows the tools of the trade.  Otherwise we'd probably have a situation where writers would hand in a notepad/typed copy of their work, that passed on to an editor, then that to a layout specialist, then that to a designer for review, then that back to an editor for round 2 edits, then back to the writer, who then sends their hand-written/typed edits back to the layout tech, and so on.

There are certain tools a writer must learn; these are based on what they are writing for.  If the writer is writing for online Help, then that writer should know the tools inside and out to get the job done.  If the writer is writing for printed manuals/brochures, then that writer should know FrameMaker/PageMaker/Word/Quark (take your pick(s)) inside and out.

Most of us write in an environment where quality and timeliness go hand-in-hand.  Writers should make it their business to see that their work be delivered properly and created right the first time.  Knowing the tools and writing INTO the final format only makes sense.

Myself?...  I'm a technical writer by education, Help author by trade.  What does this mean for me?  Well, unfortunately I don't develop the content, but it goes through me to get online.  I edit, re-write, chunk, revise, author, code, create graphics, compile, test, and yes, advise and train others in doing the same thing.  My job description?  Author Help.

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Bill Swallow - Team Leader 
Usertech - Norwalk CT
phone: 203.851.4328                  
fax: 203.866.4685
mailto:swallow -at- usertech -dot- com    
http://www.usertech.com
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 From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000