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.
It's true, we no longer work with page layout; we've moved to DITA and we concern ourselves with producing complete and accurate content. We are aware that some content is print only, some is online only, and some appears in both.
We participate less and less in the output generation. This has allowed us to become more subject-matter experts and we're moving away from the generalist writer situation. I know more about certain domains and less about others. I now have testers coming to me for information on the features I'm responsible for covering.
Wanda Phillips
Senior Technical Writer
Don't be afraid, Jellybean: Quod non est in actis, non est in mundo
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+wanda -dot- phillips=philips -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+wanda -dot- phillips=philips -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Leonard C. Porrello
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 11:18 AM
To: cardimon720 -at- yahoo -dot- com; techwrl
Subject: RE: Occupational title for discussion: Technical Content Developer
I might be way off base, but the title (alone) suggests to me that the
developer doesn't have mastery of the various types of media that
"technical writers" employ. In other words, the technical content
developer basically just churns out text and/or diagrams and
illustrations, and he doesn't worry his little head too much about how
that info looks and lays out on page or in on-line help. He doesn't care
about Word, Frame, RoboHelp (or other HATs), or InDesign (or other DTP
apps).
Leonard
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
om] On Behalf Of Craig Cardimon
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 11:09 AM
To: techwrl
Subject: Occupational title for discussion: Technical Content Developer
How do you all feel about "Content Developer" or "Technical Content
Developer?"
If the question, "What's that?" arises, as I'm sure it will, you could
say, "I develop content for [insert your own stuff here]." Manuals, user
guides, technical presentations, instructional videos, web sites,
what-have-you.
I took "writer" out of the equation. Why? Many assume everyone can
write. "Gee, I wrote a grocery list today. That makes me a writer."
Also, many equate communication with writing, but not so with content
development.
ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and
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Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- soleratec -dot- com -dot-
ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing
solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or
HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. http://www.doctohelp.com
Help & Manual 5: The complete help authoring tool for individual
authors and teams. Professional power, intuitive interface. Write
once, publish to 8 formats. Multi-user authoring and version control! http://www.helpandmanual.com/
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You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as wanda -dot- phillips -at- philips -dot- com -dot-
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ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing
solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or
HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. http://www.doctohelp.com
Help & Manual 5: The complete help authoring tool for individual
authors and teams. Professional power, intuitive interface. Write
once, publish to 8 formats. Multi-user authoring and version control! http://www.helpandmanual.com/
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You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-
