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: Tech Comm Survey From:HBacheler -at- aol -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Wed, 13 Oct 2004 11:33:14 EDT
In a message dated 10/12/2004 4:16:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
tlittle08 -at- hotmail -dot- com writes:
1. How long have you been a technical communicator?
In one way or another, approximately 20+ years. If you include time as
computer systems programmer analyst, responsible for user docs, training, etc,
about 35 years (since 1970).
2. Have you noticed changes in software programs that you use? Explain
Briefly.
Originally used cards (80-colum) in the code that I wrote. Also IBM
Selectric.
Used CPT word processor, NCR Line editor. UNIX nroff/troff, etc. In the PC
arena started with MS Word 2.x and WordPerfect 2.X (1985/1986). Have been
using MS Word since. US Government preferred standard. (Up to MS Word 2000), Use
Visio and PowerPoint for diagramming now. In the 80's used EasyFlow.
You can see the changes
3. Have you noticed a change in salary? Explain briefly.
Salary for tech writers have risen steadily in the areas where I have worked.
Started out on the low-end, and recently was offered $40.oo hour because of
varied experience.
4. Do the tasks that you complete now vary from what you did when you began
working in this field? Explain briefly.
Absolutely. In the beginning tech writers were limited in the areas that
they could contribute. Now tech writers are included in major efforts of
documentation.
5. How many times have you changed jobs or relocated?
I have had many 'jobs' that lasted from 1 month, to several years. I have
been a 'Systems Analyst/Techwriter as W-2 with bennies, W-2 without bennies, and
1099 contractor since 1985. Jobs, about 20 or so, with out relocation
(Washington, DC area)
ROBOHELP X5: Featuring Word 2003 support, Content Management, Multi-Author
support, PDF and XML support and much more!
TRY IT TODAY at http://www.macromedia.com/go/techwrl
WEBWORKS FINALDRAFT: New! Document review system for Word and FrameMaker
authors. Automatic browser-based drafts with unlimited reviewers. Full
online discussions -- no Web server needed! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
