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.
Subject:RE: Creating a Master Doc in Word From:eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 30 Jul 2003 17:36:21 -0400
Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com> wrote on 07/30/2003 04:57:18 PM:
> If this was just my reaction, then people would be justified in trotting
out
> the old cliche about a good worker not blaming his tools. However, when
the
> overwhelming majority of users have the same problems, then I feel
perfectly
> justified in concluding that the problem is the tool. Loyalty may be an
> admirable trait, but when it's misplaced, then it becomes highly
questionable.
I think a very important part to the old cliche is often omitted and
forgotten. It should probably be: "It's a poor workman that blames the
tools, when in the hands of another they produce masterpieces." After all,
it would be perfectly acceptable for a carpenter to blame their tools for
the lousy job they did pounding in all the nails if the only tool they
were provided with was a screwdriver.
The cliche is particularly tired because it doesn't address why the
workman is attempting to blame the tools. Is it the time it takes, the
quality of the work, or being able to progress at all that is lacking?
There's also the small issue of when the cliche came about and in what
field. It originates in a time when a professional would probably make
their own tools or at least have a large hand in their upkeep and
maintenance. Only Microsoft has a hand in improving/maintaining Word.
Bringing out the cliche is resorting to blind faith in the tool and the
capability of being able to do anything at all with it. It's as pathetic
and blind as disparaging a tool you're not familiar with.
ROBOHELP X4 - THE INDUSTRY STANDARD IN HELP AUTHORING
Buy RoboHelp by July 31st and receive a $100 mail-in rebate!
Find out more about RoboHelp X4: http://www.ehelp.com/techwr-l
Mercer University's online MS Program in Technical Communication Management:
Preparing leaders of tomorrow's technical communication organizations today.
See www.mercer.edu/mstco or write George Hayhoe at hayhoe_g -at- mercer -dot- edu -dot-
---
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.
