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: Usability & Tech writers From:P Newman <pnewman1 -at- HOME -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 4 Aug 1999 11:56:14 -0400
What a revolutionary idea! Are you actually saying that software must
be usable and the related technical manuals and materials
understandable and accurate?
<vbg>
Peter
----- Original Message -----
From: David Orr <dorr -at- ORRNET -dot- COM>
To: <TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 1999 11:55 AM
Subject: Usability & Tech writers
> Most technical writers I've met who become familiar with usability
> testing support the concept, but find it difficult to get support
from
> their companies to actually do it. IT people tend to view it as
another
> hurdle to get past in their imperative to "develop, develop,
develop."
> General business managers tend to view it as just another expense.
>
> If you are a writer who wants to promote usability testing, talk to
the
> product managers, marketing managers, and QA people. These are
people
> who already have budgets for customer research and process
improvement.
> E-commerce people also are closely connected to customers and may be
> great allies.
>
> For ammunition in talking with these people, we invite technical
writers
> to check out our new usability information (especially the "Three
Levels
> of Usability") at http://www.orrnet.com under Usability Research on
the
> sidebar menu.
>
> M. David Orr
> Orr & Associates/The Usability Group
>http://www.orrnet.com
>
>
======================================================================
=====
> Send commands to listserv -at- listserv -dot- okstate -dot- edu (e.g., SIGNOFF
TECHWR-L)
> Find TECHWR-L-related books at http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/books.htm
>
>
>
