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Subject:RE: Respect From:"Eric J. Ray (remote)" <ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 23 Aug 2001 16:33:53 -0600 (MDT)
On Thu, 23 Aug 2001, John Posada wrote:
> > > I cannot agree with this, because it basically says that
> > > documentation and online help doesn't add value. If it
> > > doesn't add value, it is of no value.
> >
> > My point was that the ACT of writing documentation (or whatever)
> > does NOT add value. Yes, I'll stand by your paraphrase:
> > "If it doesn't add value, it is of no value", for appropriate
> > values of "value" ;-)
>
> Eric...gotta disagree with you. Writing much documentation involves
> running the application while they are being developed, doing the
> actions, performing actions that result in an outcome. EVERY DAY, as
> I'm writing about an application, I'm either finding errors or
> processes that don't work well. I convey these situations to product
> development and not always, but many times...more times than not,
> they are addressed. I can honestly say that not all, but many of my
> gigs took my input and made specific changes to the application based
> on what was found during the writing and the subsequent testing of
> the documementation on some unsuspecting novice functioning as a "lab
> rat".
Exactly--and I don't think that we're in disagreement at all.
What you're describing is _exactly_ why the developers put
a sign reading "testing guru" on my door. That said,
I'd say that you're adding value _by_ finding errors and
conveying the issues to development. The acts of getting
involved and driving resolution of issues add value,
and add value that just putting words on paper does not
add. That's what I'm saying. It's a question of semantics,
really.
If you want to call the process you describe the act of
writing, I can go for that. But it's not the typical
narrow definition of _writing_.
>
> Brings me to the subject of respect. I feel that in almost every gig
> I've been at, I've aquired respect although I've never walked in to a
> position where they handed it to me. I get it because I don't seek it
> or care if I get it or not. I'm gonna do my job to my best abilities
> because it is the right thing to do. However, what I DO seems to be
> what generates it.
>
< snip of good stuff >
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