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Re: Re: Single Spacing, Double Spacing, and Doing It Ones Own Way
Subject:Re: Re: Single Spacing, Double Spacing, and Doing It Ones Own Way From:Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 12 May 2004 11:47:21 -0700
Quoting kcronin -at- daleen -dot- com:
> I respect you very much, and historically have learned a lot from your
> posts. But I disagree with you at a core level on this issue.
And let me in all sincerity return the compliment.
However (and you just knew there was a "however," right? ;-> ) . . .
My position is that design knowledge is simply something you should have. But,
whether to use one or two spaces after a period shouldn't be something you
agonize over, any more than you should waste more than a second wondering
whether to use "email" or "e-mail." You should simply know what the options
are, and apply what's appropriate.
Also, it occurs to me that the importance of design depends on exactly what you
do for a living. My situation varies, but I often work on the marketing and
business side. Often, too, I do as much design and managing as writing.
Sometimes, my employment doesn't involve writing at all. In this space, design
is undoubtedly a much deeper concern than it is in the pure tech-writing space.
Still, I submit that, even in pure tech-writing, if you can add design
expertise and still make your deadlines, then most clients or employers
appreciate the fact that you are going the extra mile for them. I don't think
that will ever change, no matter how practical and bottom-line the mood
becomes. Design, usability knowledge, programming expertise - anything extra
that you can bring to your work without sacrificing the core - is going to be
valued.
--
Bruce Byfield bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com 604-421.7177
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