Re: This too is technical communication

["Mike Starr" <mikestarr-techwr-l -at- writestarr -dot- com>]

I don't ever approach an SME with false pretenses... however, when I do use 
the "clueless idiot" approach, I make sure the SME understands that I'm 
asking to have it (whatever "it" is) explained to me at a basic level that 
may be far more simplified than I'd ever put into the documentation.

Mike
--
Mike Starr                            WriteStarr Information Services
Technical Writer   -   Online Help Developer   -    Website developer
Graphic Designer    -    Desktop Publisher   -       MS Office Expert
Phone: (262) 694-1028 - Tollfree: (877) 892-1028 - Fax:(262) 697-6334
Email: mike -at- writestarr -dot- com      -      Web: http://www.writestarr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Posada" <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com>
To: "Mike Starr" <mike -at- writestarr -dot- com>; <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 6:26 PM
Subject: Re: This too is technical communication

>> John, you're missing the point here... I want the SMEs to
>> explain things to me like it was *ME* who's the high-school
>> dropout forklift driver.
>> I do write for the appropriate audience, not for forklift
>> drivers, if the appropriate audience is network administrators.
>
> Missed points all around...
>
> I don't WANT them to explain anything to me under any false
> pretenses. It should be a professional developer talking to a
> professional writer.
>
> Let's chalk it up to different styles and leave it at that.
>
> John Posada
> Senior Technical Writer 

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

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

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! 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.