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.
Kevin Montgomery writes:
>Everyone loves standards (except me). When you have a standard,
>you need not think about the products or services you design or
>purchase.
And the fact that our 486s and Pentiums are still limited by a 1980-style
BIOS (as Dvorak never gets tired of haranguing about) is a goood example.
On the other hand, I recently upgraded my 486 at home, added a second hard
drive, memory, and a CD ROM. Feeling like I was spending enough money
already, I didn't get a sound board. When, a month later, my wife and I
decided we couldn't live without one, (yes, yes, I know we should have gotten
it in the first place!) we bought a low-end "Soundblaster
Compatible." HA! Software, yes. Hardware, no. Not even Silicon Valley's
favorite computer super store had the right audio cable. Believe me, there was
a lot of loud cursing and swearing about "lack of standards", not to mention
the hours lost on a Sunday afternoon, buying and returning cables.
There *is* something to be said for standards.
(BTW - Does anyone know where I can find a Sony (board connector) to Plextor
(CD) auido cable?)
Mike Christie
Technical Writer
Syntelligence Systems, Inc.
mikec -at- syntel -dot- com
