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Re: Issues with distribution of technical documents
Subject:Re: Issues with distribution of technical documents From:"Richard G. Combs" <richard -dot- combs -at- voyanttech -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 28 Jun 2001 14:05:19 -0600
Dannette Thompson wrote:
>
> Has anyone considered the possibility that bad documentation can actually
> lead to a profit center? I've heard "rumors" that some companies ask users
> to pay for an agreement that entitles them to unlimited support. The
> agreement becomes a profit center, and really good documentation makes
users
> think twice about buying the agreement. Therefore the company doesn't want
> good docs. Pretty shady, but it is a way for the company to make money.
>
> Anyone else hear of companies practicing this?
Almost ten years ago, I had a client that developed software for telcos. A
couple of months after I began the project, the product manager told me
explicitly that they didn't want the manuals to be too good because training
and support were big profit centers.
I got out as soon as I could and never worked for them again. They
eventually developed a reputation for shoddy software quality as well, and
they no longer exist. ;-)
Richard
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Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Voyant Technologies, Inc.
richard -dot- combs -at- voyanttech -dot- com
303-223-5111
------
rgcombs -at- free-market -dot- net
303-777-0436
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