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.
I learn a lot about new tech from this group, especially when it comes to
open source tools (such as GIMP). Mine is a very small shop where I'm the
only TW. Oft times there isn't even soap for the men's restroom, and lately
the company has stopped providing free K-Cup coffee (which I didn't drink
anyway, but it was demoralizing nonetheless). I had to push hard to get a
single license for Adobe Creative Suite CS4, which I'm running it on an
antiquated desktop under Windows XP SP3 with 4GB RAM. (At least I have a
really nice 25' flat-screen monitor!).
Learning new apps because they may become useful down the road is a
fruitless approach. Years ago I was a sought-after AutoCAD expert who
frequently wrote about it for *Cadence* magazine. Today I'd have to start
all over. That said, several years ago I took a contract that required
FrameMaker, yet had never had exposure to it. I was a PageMaker expert,
however, so was able to easily make that transition with the help of a
30-day trial version, a copy of FM *Classroom in a Book, *and that
"insta-guru" aide known as the Internet.
My wife and I gave up our cell phones as a needless expense several years
ago; today we have a prepaid unit that we use when traveling. I do see a
Droid in my future, however, especially after seeing my son's unit. One of
its uses would be as a do-all wi-fi remote for my home entertainment system
(audio/visual technology being one area in which I have not lapsed).
> Chris
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