Professionalism and pay (was RE: 'Know thy audience')?

[Ned Bedinger]

I saw an STC initiative (last year, IIRC) trying to define tech writing 
as an ISO standard or something. It was so deplorably misguided! It was 
panned by everyone who commented on it. I hope they keep the hell out 
the way, based on that performance.

STC was big with tech writers in the years when business worked to 
classify us as non-professional. That would have been a good time for 
STC to represent our interests. But most often, they worked like they 
were in bed with employers, not tech writers. They behave like skwishy 
feel-good ambassadors to business, working to ensure that we're always 
remembered. As if manuals and documents would disappear without that 
ineffectual effort.

So sorry, I know a lot of techwhirlers aspire to STC prominance, but 
Bah! Get a life!!

--Ned

Geoff Hart wrote:
> If I got the attribution right, 'twas Ned Bedinger who wrote: <<If  
> the STC has one goal, it should be to increase the perception of tech  
> writers as professionals. (Employers don't want this. Professionals  
> get paid more.)>>
>
> In fact, STC is working hard to do just this. As a good first step,  
> the current exec (Susan Burton) has submitted a revised U.S. standard  
>