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.
Lauren's suggestion / question was good.
But twenty-somethings are following teens, in only maintaining a FaceBook presence to keep in touch with their parents.
They don't even know what LinkedIn is, for the most part (anecdotal; I've done no studies).
They live and get their info and inspiration elsewhere.
I'm trying to remember how I first came across Techwr-l.
It was in the 90s. I was in CopyEdit list and a couple of FrameMaker lists, as well, but I really don't recall the order that I found them.
One or more I might have hit first from a late-eighties BBS and not the Web.
Sorry. I'm not trying to stir up more nostalgic ramblings, here. I'm trying to figure why newer techwriters would not be pouring into Techwhirl (site and list).
I would have figured with Google, Bing, and Yahoo search, they'd be finding us much more readily than in days of yore, as the source of answers for all kinds of questions.
Would some of the younger members have some thoughts on where newer techwriters would be finding their answers, and their daily dose of community?
It can't really be Twitter - I was being a bit facetious in a previous post. The recent social sites/services that I've only heard of, and not tried, just don't seem conducive to work-related conversation, fact-seeking, mentoring. Rather, more kiddie hangouts, places/conduits for re-hashing of eternal teen angst/rebellion, repackaged in 6-second clips... stuff you do while you are a student or a min-wage worker or slacker living with Mom, and not what you might follow in connection with making a living and possibly a career. But then, I'll be 60 in a month, so obviously my perspective is way skewed. Still, I can't see anyone getting techwriting, research, tools, workplace politics, or other advice and viewpoints... and commiseration... via Pinterest or whatever replaces it, now. (What's it called, that one where posted pics [supposedly] age out and disappear after 30 or 40 days?.... never mind; I don't really need to know, and if I'VE heard of it, it's already uncool among teens, and will be uncool among 20s before June)
Certainly the "let's hang out and pretend to be cool together" universe is much more fragmented than it was, but they must still be graduating to something relatively stable and large-scale when they start getting serious about life, making the rent and car payments, etc. How would we target that without seeming like more of the kind of corporate spam-presence that everyone ignores in every site and media?
Oh dear.... maybe the "younger members" I was beseaching are actually fudds and crones in their.... gasp!.... 30's or more.
Have we got any demographic info? Heh. I should just visit the techwhirl site, shouldn't I. It's probably on the first page. Going now...
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+kevin -dot- mclauchlan=safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+kevin -dot- mclauchlan=safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Dan Goldstein
Sent: February-12-14 3:52 PM
To: TECHWR-L (techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com)
Subject: RE: ghost town
If list traffic is slow, it means that thousands of new tech writers aren't aware of the list's existence. In theory, someone other than the moderators could volunteer to spread the good word. (Our wonderful and dedicated moderators make sure that the list runs smoothly, and that's already a lot.)
-----Original Message-----
From: McLauchlan, Kevin
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 3:35 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: ghost town
Or, maybe the archive on the site is now so perfectly searchable that it answers all questions and there's nothing new under the techwriter-ish sun.
Cool.
-----Original Message-----
From: Brian.Henderson
Sent: February-12-14 3:28 PM
To: McLauchlan, Kevin; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: ghost town
Sounds like somebody doesn't have any actual WORK to do.
-BrianH.
-----Original Message----- From: Kevin McLauchlan
Do I have to ask another really dumb question, to stir up some life in here?
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