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.
Harvey,
I am so very ashamed of my post. I skimmed Elna's email and misread it completely. I wish I could take it back somehow. It was ignorant and thoughless and incredibly rude, even if I had interpreted her email correctly.
-----Original Message-----
From: Harvey Birdman [mailto:angryweasel9 -at- hotmail -dot- com]
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2002 9:46 AM
To: Ellen Vanrenen
Subject: RE: Switching careers
Was that post absolutely necessary? What purpose does it serve? Does it
enhance the discussion of tech writing?
I don't know what has transpired privately between you and Elna, if
anything. But I do know Elna has been a contributing member since shortly
after the birth of techwr-l. Her insights on Silicon Valley, contracting,
and running a business have been helpful to more than a few people. And many
members who have been around about as long will miss her.
I appreciate that she has chosen to inform the community that a once strong
business has had to shift away from tech writing. Whether or how that
affects her employees, she has chosen not to share (and that is only her
concern). But this does serve as a bellwether as to what is going on in this
profession. Times are tough all over, but California has taken an extreme
hit. And her message helps to inform many other writers.
As far as I can tell, you have been posting only questions since the fall of
last year. I haven't read any other types of contribution made by you. If
you've been around longer, you should be aware how such unconstructive
comments are viewed. Would you make the same comment in a business meeting?
If you're new to the profession, you'll be as lucky as Elna to have a TW
career spanning 30 years.
Honestly, your message infuriated me yesterday. I chose to wait before
writing, and wait before sending. I wish you no ill. Obviously, I don't know
anything about you other than your posts. I'll leave you with this last
thought, it's been stated many times before on list. You don't know who is
out there. There could be a future employer, and anything negative you say
can work against you.
|
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Your monthly sponsorship message here reaches more than
5000 technical writers, providing 2,500,000+ monthly impressions.
Contact Eric (ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com) for details and availability.
Check out RoboDemo for tutorials! It makes creating full-motion software
demonstrations and other onscreen support materials easy and intuitive.
Need RoboHelp? Save $100 on RoboHelp Office in May with our mail-in rebate.
Go to http://www.ehelp.com/techwr-l
---
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.
