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.
Subject:Re: Why docs aren't teste From:Marilynne Smith <m -dot- smith182 -at- GENIE -dot- GEIS -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 11 Aug 1994 05:49:00 UTC
In my opinion, a lot of a customer's lack of confidance can be attributed
to poor documentation - whatever the cause. If the writer doesn't tell you
correctly how to use the product, in whatever documentation is provided, the
customer perceives the product as not being quality, as not working
correctly, as whatever. If the company doesn't let you write good
documentation, they can expect to receive a lot of help desk calls and a
lack of confidance in their product.
And that's how I sell documentation to the developers. If they don't let me
tell the user what the user needs to know, a lot of the developers' effort
is down the drain.
-Marilynne
m -dot- smith182 -at- genie -dot- geis -dot- com
