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> IMO, let the writing and deconvolution skills step
> forward and the tools skills fall where they may.
I will certainly agree that experience and skill with a particular tool is
not as important as the ability to write, understand complex subject matter,
or gather information.
However, I do not agree with the notion of "tools skills" as an
afterthought. This may have just been a choice of words, but if "tools
skills" means the ability to quickly and comprehensively learn to use
particular tools at a high level of expertise, it most certainly should NOT
be left to fall where it may.
While skill with a _particular_ tool is not terribly important (though that
obviously will not always be the case), the facts are that in most
situations technical writers _will_ use some tool(s) to produce
documentation of whatever form. Thus, the ability to pick up and learn new
tools quickly - and then to be able to use them at a high level of expertise
- is very, very important.
If a writer does not have this ability, much time will be lost wrestling
with a tool, writers will tell clients that things that _CAN_ be done can't
be done (because the writer doesn't understand the tool), and inevitibly
mistakes will happen when high-pressure sitautions arise (for example, a
last-minute change to a complex online help system.)
Don't get me wrong, I do believe that the ability to write, research, and
understand the subject matter are most important, but the ability to
understand and utilize tools - in general - is also extremely important.
Can a writer get by without this ability? Yes, but all other things being
equal, a writer WITH this ability will be far more useful. IMHO, of course.
:)
-Chris Grant
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