From: at674@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Pete Nofel)
Subject: Re: Desktop Publishing/Tech Pubs
Reply-To: at674@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Pete Nofel)
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 92 23:53:19 GMT


In a previous article, lorelle@zelda.SanDiego.NCR.COM (Lorelle Mennel) says:

[deletions]

>I'd really be interested in hearing how other tech writing
>groups handle producing the camera-ready copy . . .

[deletions]

>I think the extra skill is added value. Many tech writing
>jobs that are advertised ask for desktop publishing experience.
>Seems like a writer who can do desktop publishing would be more
>marketable . . .

[deletions]

>The Third Quarter issue of STC's "technical communication"
>magazine contains an interesting article titled: "Winning
>Respect Throughout the Organization." This article got me
>thinking about how tech writing groups are regarded in the
>organization. Are tech writers considered part of development?
>Are the writing groups in a support position? Comments encouraged!

In a field as diverse as technical writing, it's hard to make
generalities. Tech writing covers everything from writing computer
docs for users to abstracting JAMA articles.

I started off seven years ago writing user docs and the work's
evolved into PR and screenwriting for industrial videos.

In general, documentation is the last consideration of programmers.
Technical writers are called in at the end of the project and are
told they have two weeks and $10 to write the documentation. They
want a thoroughly documented system with complete user help and
tutorials that will fit on a 3 x 5 card. That's why there is
such excremental documentation out there.

We went into DTP for our own protection. We used to hand-off Word-
Perfect files to production who would then go on their merry way.
At least with PageMaker we can format our copy so it is readable.
We produce the design and copy and production now handles the
reproduction and distribution.

If you want to work as a tech writer, then DTP skills are now
as necessary as being able to type with all 10 fingers.

Outside of computer documentation, writers are MUCH higher up
the food chain -- someplace equal to brine shrimp.

I've been writing a series of brochures about NASA wind tunnels
for both potential users and also for the general public. It is
much better to drive a project than be driven by it, but when
my copy goes back to the engineers for technical review it always
gets put on the bottom the the stack.

As for the STC and their publication, the only one of my group
that belonged to the organization and read the magazine was an
ivory-tower purist with a Ph.D. who did not sully his hands
actually putting words on paper. He was too busy pontificating.
When I asked him how to write system documentation, he would
huff and puff and make me feel like a dolt and then send me
on my way no wiser than when I'd walked in. He now arranges
conferences for our client.

Despite all of the above diatribe, I still like tech writing.
It's just when someone asks me what I do for a living I tell
them I play piano in a whorehouse -- I lie because I want
*some* respect for what I do.

-- 
"It's money, and adventure, and fame. It's the thrill of a
lifetime.  And a long sea voyage that starts at six o'clock
come morning."
     -- Carl Denham, "King Kong"
Newsgroups: misc.writing