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: Techwriting in "real life" From:"Christian, Cathy" <Cathy -dot- Christian -at- PSS -dot- BOEING -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 28 Apr 1999 08:57:49 -0700
> A couple of years ago I bought a wood stove made by a local high-end manufacturer, and the instructions that came with it were absolutely terrible - user and installer instructions were mixed together, type so small it was barely legible, and other sundry problems. I wrote a letter to the manufacturer and told them how and why the bad documentation reflected upon the company. Never occured to me to offer my services. I just wanted to let the manufacturer know how bad the instructions made them look. But they called me, and I ended up redoing the instructions and making them user-friendly and all the other things we tech writers do. I have no doubt that many manufacturing (and other) companies still need to be educated on the fact that their documentation can be reflective on their products.
Cathy Christian
Technical Writer
425-237-6205 6C-FC
Seattle, WA mailto:cathy -dot- christian -at- boeing -dot- com
You don't need to fear the darkness; all you do is light a candle.
