Re: This too is technical communication

[Ned Bedinger <doc -at- edwordsmith -dot- com>]

Beth Agnew wrote:
> I've always had a very broad and generous view of what can be technical
> communication. Taking my cue from the venerable Geoff Hart, I venture to say
> that writing for government, in all its guises, is also best done by
> technical communicators. 
>   

I think you're exploring the divide where communications skills flow off 
into many differently-specialized areas of endeavor.

> Any time you have to provide information that helps a user answer a
> question, solve a problem, or perform a task, I think that it technical
> communication.
>   

This definition of _technical_ probably works as a gesture in the 
direction of topics in technical communications. But I wouldn't want it 
applied to Technical Writing, any more than I would want Technical 
Writing run together with work focused on science journalism or cookbooks.

> Wouldn't life be better if those putting out such information actually used
> technical communicators to produce it? 
>   

For simplicity's sake, let's call Technical Communications a subset of 
career paths requiring writing skills. Now, are you further 
distinguishing Technical Communications from Technical Writing? I think 
you should.

> This is where I think the STC needs
> to start outreach -- publicizing what we do and how we can improve all sorts
> of communication, including marketing, financial, and institutional.
>   

If it is done in the name of tech communications and not tech writers, 
I'd have fewer pauses to ponder what this means to me as tech writer. 
But I'm not sanguine about Technical Communicators' ability to draw and 
maintain that distinction. I'd like to see STC do some real development 
work, where they can contribute something, where tech writers aren't the 
only ones carrying the ball.

Ned Bedinger
doc -at- edwordsmith -dot- com


>
> Beth Agnew
> Professor, Technical Communication
> Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
> 416-491-5050 x3133
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+beth -dot- agnew=senecac -dot- on -dot- ca -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+beth -dot- agnew=senecac -dot- on -dot- ca -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
> Behalf Of Geoff Hart
> Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 10:44 AM
>
> In any event, I'm afraid I must dispute your point. "Technical" has  
> its roots in the Greek word "techne", which means an "art"; more  
> recently (i.e., since the 20th century?), "technical" has taken on  
> the meaning of writing in any discipline that has its own  
> standardized jargon. So yes, financial marketing prose is technical  
> communication... just not necessarily a form we're all familiar with  
> or would approve of.
>
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
> printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
> Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
> http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
>
> Now shipping: Help & Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
> full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
> to 106 languages with Help & Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com
>
> ---
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as doc -at- edwordsmith -dot- com -dot- 
>
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
> techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/doc%40edwordsmith.com
>
>
> To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
> Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
> http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.
>
>
>
>   

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

Now shipping: Help & Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
to 106 languages with Help & Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.