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Subject:Re: Leading and Bleeding Edge? From:Tom Johnson <tomjohnson1492 -at- gmail -dot- com> To:"techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Mon, 4 Jan 2016 15:23:23 -0800
Chris wrote: "The ability to read code and document APIs (RESTful, etc.)
is currently in vogue ...."
I recently wrote a post explaining on the ripple effect of API growth on
the tech comm community. You can read it here: http://bit.ly/2016techcommtrends
I try to address some of the trends that Lonie was asking about (the "leading
and bleeding edge technologies technical
writers use to create publications and documentation"). I mention Github,
static site generators, and API-based CMS tools.
The problem with bleeding edge tools is that they rarely satisfy the
requirements placed on tech writers. People want modern-looking,
interactive websites. Then they also explain on that they need PDF
generation, translation, multi-edit capabilities, single source generation,
workflows, and document statuses, etc. By the time the list of requirements
is finalized, about the only tools that satisfy them are more traditional
tech comm tools.
On Mon, Jan 4, 2016 at 9:34 AM, Chris Morton <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> The ability to read code and document APIs (RESTful, etc.) is currently in
> vogue; I've had to pass a couple of those opportunities due to lack of
> hands-on experience (although I'm certain I could quickly learn). Speaking
> of adaptability, there are some useful tutorials on YouTube, but one has to
> vet them carefully.
>
> There is still a call for Framemaker skills; I used Classroom In a Book to
> get myself up-to-speed on one project.
>
> I've also had to recently pass on a gig that involved DITAâagain because of
> lack of any actual experience (being an autodidact doesn't count).
>
> Content reusability/repurposing is a big deal today; tools like MadCap
> Flare and Atlassian Confluence seem to rule here. I don't know about
> Atlassian, but MadCap has a lot of free Flare video tutorials and such on
> their site.
>
> Chris Morton
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jan 4, 2016 at 11:42 AM, Lonie McMichael <loniemc -at- gmail -dot- com>
> wrote:
>
> > Hello, Folks:
> >
> > I searched the archives and have not found any recent conversations on
> this
> > topic. If it has already been discussed, I would appreciate being pointed
> > towards the thread.
> >
> > I am teaching Tools for Technical Writers this semester. My students will
> > be writing reports on leading and bleeding edge technologies technical
> > writers used to CREATE publications and documentation. Unfortunately, I
> > only have the old standards (Adobe, Microsoft, etc.) to use in class.
> > However, I can make them aware of what they might be facing when they
> leave
> > school. Also, I do teach them what I call "technological adaptability":
> how
> > to learn new technologies and software packages quickly.
> >
> > Since this list is the best place I know for such information, right now
> --
> > Jan 2016, in your company and your area, what software are you using to
> > create your documentation? Are you exploring any new publication software
> > or technologies? Do you see some significant changes coming in the
> > relatively near future?
> >
> > Thanks for any input!
> >
> > --Lonie McMichael
> > Senior Instructor
> > UCCS
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > <
> >
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