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It doesn't. To me the phrase 'developing information' is too nebulous. What the heck is 'developing'? It could be sorting and filtering a spreadsheet. A so-called i-reporter can say he's developing information when he asks questions and transmits blurry picturesat the riot. You can develop camera film - that doesn't make you a photographer.
On the other hand, the word 'writing' is unmistakable. It implies producing a tangible, usable product.
I write about highly technical subjects, using a style of writing
tailored for the purpose of creating items that impart technical
information in a clear manner. That's what I do whether I'm producing a PDF, a
PowerPoint slide show, or a set of software functional requirements. I like being called a writer. Among other things, it implies creativity. And I think there is an element of creativity in this work.
To some extent, it's a form of bragging. I can truthfully tell people I am a professional writer, that I have made my living from writing for more than 20 years. If I tell someone I've been a developer for more than 20 years he'll give me the stunned mullet look because he won't have any idea what I mean.
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From: "Cardimon, Craig" <ccardimon -at- M-S-G -dot- com>
To: 'Keith Hood' <klhra -at- yahoo -dot- com>; 'Gene Kim-Eng' <techwr -at- genek -dot- com>; 'Andrew Warren' <awarren -at- synaptics -dot- com>
Cc: "'techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2012 8:50 AM
Subject: RE: Post on Technical Writing vs. Technical Communication
So how does the previously mentioned title of "information developer" grab you?
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