Additions to Technical Communication Skills

[John Hedtke]

I once got a resume for someone who, prior to 
becoming a writer, had been an interrogator for 
the NSA for a number of years.  (His resume 
didn't actually >say< NSA, but if you're used to 
it for other reasons, you can spot the three 
letters instantly <G>.)  I was really tempted to 
hire him because I was working in an arena where 
digging information out was a real problem and 
having someone adept at spotting lies and 
pursiflage was very appealing, but I just didn't 
think I could trust him well enough to want him 
on the team.  I figured he'd be able to lie to me 
better than anyone I'd ever met, and it's a poor 
knife that can't cut both ways.  So I, somewhat regretfully, gave him a miss.

But it's a really good skill set to have on hand.

Additionally, the ability to infer behavior types quickly is paramount, IMO.

Yours truly,

John Hedtke
Author/Consultant/Contract Writer
www.hedtke.com <-- website
541-685-5000 (office landline)
541-554-2189 (cell)
john at hedtke.com (primary email)
johnhedtke at aol.com (secondary email)



At 10:06 AM 10/29/2007, Chris Borokowski wrote:
>This is a promising thread.
>
>Do we add researching, investigative and forensics skills?
>
>What about user interaction, intergface design?
>
>Bill collector dodging and tall tale telling?
>
>
>--- Tim Mantyla <TimMantyla at nustep.com> wrote:
>
> > Technical Communication Skills
> > >From
> >
>http://www.techwr-l.com/articles/employment/technicalcommunicationskills
> > I was looking for this re: the person wondering about job
> > requirements for
> > beginning tech writers...
> >
> > I've added to these, feel free to keep adding & fine tuning.
> >
> > Skill areas: Computer, Technical, Organization/Planning and
> > Communication
> > General
> > ·       Graphics software packages
> > ·       Word processing software
> > ·       Online authoring software
> > Help authoring tools (HATs)
> > ·       Online editors
> > ·       Desktop publishing
> > ·       Project planning software
> > Specific Applications
> > ·       PC and Macintosh
> > ·       Configuring Windows 95, 2000, NT, XP, Vista
> > ·       Microsoft Word
> > ·       Help Workshop
> > ·       Adobe Acrobat
> > ·       Adobe FrameMaker
> > ·       Adobe PageMaker
> > ·       Adobe RoboHelp
> > ·       Doc-To-Help
> > ·       Help & Manual
> > ·       Madcap Flare
> > ·       Ventura
> > ·       UNIX
> > ·       Linux
> > ·       HTML, XHTML, SGML, XML and DITA
> > Content Management Systems (CMS)
> > ·       C++ code
> > ·       COBOL code
> > ·       Java
> > ·       Visual Basic
> > ·       16-bit and 32-bit online help systems
> >
> >
> > Hard Skills
> > ·       Concise, audience-appropriate writing
> > ·       Minimalist writing
> > ·       Production, copy, and substantive editing
> > Proofreading & page markup
> > ·       Web page development
> > ·       Online help development
> > Soft Skills
> > ·       Creativity,  imagination, visualization
> > Research
> > Listening
> > ·       Analyzing audiences
> > ·       Writing from point of view of user/reader
> > ·       Interviewing people (SMEs and others)
> > ·       Facilitating meetings
> > ·       Analyzing & managing a project/multiple projects
> > ·       Working productively as part of a team
> > ·       Working without direct supervision
> > ·       Meeting deadlines
> > ·       Understanding the product
> > ·       Analyzing, planning, prioritizing and organizing skills
> > ·       Familiarity with mediums such as user manuals, marketing
> > literature, technical illustrations, documentation, etc.
> >
> >
> > Tim Mantyla
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> > Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file
> > formats or
> > printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista &
> > 2007
> > Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
> > http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
> >
> > True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> > Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
> > documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
> >
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>
>
>http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/
>technical writing | consulting | development
>
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>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
>Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
>printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
>Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
>http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
>
>True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
>Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
>documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
>
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