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Subject:Re: Layout duties From:HBacheler -at- aol -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Wed, 29 Dec 2004 08:06:18 EST
In two previous contract situations, I worked closely with the 'typesetter'.
In one case I was using a CPT word processor, and sending 'text' to the
typesetter.
I would (include 'notes') in the body of the document. Then would work with
the typesetter to set up the stuff.
In the second case, I was using a NCR Century COBOL line editor, sending to
the typesetter (again, including 'notes'), assisting in the layout, taking
the 'stats, doing the bluelines, 'doing the cut and paste, and reviewing with
the technical staff. (800 number support, field service, quality control, SW
developers), and finally taking to the printer.
In my experience, the 'typesettter' has gone the way of the Wang, CPT, and
IBM selectric.
IMHO, the use of 'page layout' tools, sometimes hinders the entire process
when there are 'many' iterations of the original techwriter written material.
This opinion is base on over 20 years in working with the Government, and
government contractors, where "every reviewer" is a editor/rewriter.
I once had a document where a reviewer did a 'search and replace' on every
(should, shall, will, and can) that was in the document and returned it.
Three other 'editors' did the similar 'corrections' to the same document.
Therefore I wound up with 5 'master documents' that I had to 'compare' before I
could work a new 'technical writer master'.
When I did the full job from end-to-end it turned out right. I have had
many others tell me that when they did the same thing (end-to-end) time and
money were saved.
Sincerely,
Harry M Bacheler
Documentation Specialist
(writer, editor, copywriter, proofreader, QA, QC, librarian, etc)
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