RE: proper terms/usage

["Combs, Richard" <richard -dot- combs -at- Polycom -dot- com>]

Craig Haiss wrote: 
 
> Since both options are viable, I'd send an email message to both SMEs
> asking them to decide upon a convention. That way you have their
decision
> in writing in case they change opinions later. Also, you can get them
to
> talk to each other so that you aren't stuck acting as a middle-man in
the
> decision making process.

I meant to put in my 2 cents when I saw Spectrum Writing's "playing
Switzerland" line. Why is the tech writer "playing Switzerland" in a
matter of language usage? Doesn't the tech writer _write_ the docs?

I'd send an email message to both SMEs _informing_ them of _my_
decision, and telling them it's been added to the style guide (for which
Tech Pubs is responsible, not SMEs). 

SME stands for "subject matter expert" -- not "technical communication
expert." Once the subject matter issues are clear and the meanings of
the two words are understood, the decision should be the wordsmith's. 

Unless he or she _likes_ being a glorified secretary. 

"It's my opinion and it's very true." 

Richard


Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
------
rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-777-0436
------





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