TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
> I think that we're getting away from the main issue here. If
> others have
> experience with or anecdotes specifically relating to
> explaining computers
> or technology to seniors, I would like to hear them.
>
Okay, I'll bite.
My grandfather will be 79 this year. He doesn't use a computer much, so he
could use a hand getting onto the Web. This is all well and good, but I
were to try to help him by using anything less than the appropriate
technical terms, I think he'd tell me to either stop talking down to him or
shut the hell up. Make no mistake, he's excellent with analogies, but he
doesn't need them in this venue. He could probably provide a few good ones.
He might not know much as about the Web, but he knows far more about
computer components than I do. He's also a better touch typist. Heck, he
probably writes better than I do. He speaks five languages fluently, too.
I'm leaving this job to my grandmother. Not that long ago, her computer
setup was better than mine.
Bottom line: While the generalizations in this thread are probably mostly
valid, you *will* find folks that don't fit the mould. These folks might
have physical limitations within the scope discussed, but they don't require
the same leaps of logic. How do you keep their interest? Trust me, you
*don't* want my grandfather to get bored, and neither does your local public
utilities commission.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Free copy of ARTS PDF Tools when you register for the PDF
Conference by April 30. Leading-Edge Practices for Enterprise
& Government, June 3-5, Bethesda,MD. www.PDFConference.com
Are you using Doc-to-Help or ForeHelp? Switch to RoboHelp for Word for $249
or to RoboHelp Office for only $499. Get the PC Magazine five-star rated
Help authoring tool for less! Go to http://www.ehelp.com/techwr
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
