The web is mostly words. Technical editing may involve working with brilliant researchers and scientists , who may be world-class experts in fluid dynamics or swine reproduction, but who may not know a paragraph from a participle. Some of these will be eternally grateful for your help, and may resent your interference . Good technical writers are also good teachers . They excel at explaining difficult concepts for readers who will have no time to read twice.
Technical writers have an excellent eye for detail .
They know punctuation, syntax, and style , and they can explain these rules to authors who need to know why their drafts need to be changed. A sampling of technical writers describe their jobs. Home page for the technical writing mailing list.