Re: Isolation and the technical communicator -Reply

[Lisa Comeau <COMEAUL -at- CSA -dot- CA>]

 I don't get this.  Technical writing is procedure specification.  And procedure is turf.  To get it the writer has to go out and "drag-it-out" of the end user or SME.  The ability to do such is key to success.  I really can not see how any technical writer can efficiently and effectively function in isolation.
Tony Markatos

Actually, Tony, I don't write procedure specification (at least, not in the way *I* understand it) and I don't deal with SMEs. (I hadn't heard that term until this list) I *do* write end-user manuals and curriculum for the staff of my organization based on emails sent by their managers begging for training. So I am pretty isolated in my little pod...it doesn't mean I like it, but that's the way it is.

I think the only thing saving my sanity is that I do support, so people are always popping their heads in here, so I can still tell I'm part of the humen race. I don't think *anyone* can effectively function in total isolation, but that's just my opinion. Obviously, some people do...

As far as the key to success, the key to mine is to quickly and thouiroughly learn a new application and write about it as I go along (so I get that "new-user" standpoint down before I become an "expert")...

Just my $0.02
Lisa Comeau
IS Super-User/Trainer
Certification and Testing Division
Canadian Standards Association
Rexdale, ON
comeaul -at- csa -dot- ca