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Subject:Being more resourceful From:Michael Andrew Uhl <uhl -dot- mike -at- epa -dot- gov> To:"TECHWR-L, (Tech Writers)" <TECHWR-L -at- LISTS -dot- RAYCOMM -dot- COM> Date:Sat, 30 Oct 1999 10:47:03 -0400
TECHWR-Lers:
I continue to be surprised how many subscribers to this list ask
questions the answers to which can readily be found in the software
documentation, TECHWR-L archive, or other more immediate sources.
In my first real technical writing job, my manager gave me a warning in
the guise of advice: "Don't come into my office with a question until
you've exhausted all of your other resources, such as the documentation
and technical experts."
I recommend that before you ask a question on this list about how to do
something with a particular piece of software, hardware, or other tool,
you do some research. Learn to be more resourceful; it will serve you
well. The hallmark of a good technical writer is their ability to learn
quickly and efficiently. I certainly wouldn't hire someone who tends to
ask questions out of laziness or boredom.
My $0.02.
-Mike
P.S. Keep it coming Andrew Plato.
--
Michael Andrew Uhl (mailto:uhl -dot- mike -at- epa -dot- gov)
Lockheed Martin - U.S. EPA Scientific Visualization Center
Ph. (office) 919.541.4283; 919.541.3716 (lab)
P.O. Box 14365 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
