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.
RE: Contacting competitors for information on their documentation
Subject:RE: Contacting competitors for information on their documentation From:jarnopol <jarnopol -at- interaccess -dot- com> To:John David Hickey <dave -at- toonboom -dot- com>, TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 8 Dec 99 16:39:06 -0600
John David Hickey <dave -at- toonboom -dot- com is thinking about contacting writers at
his company's competitors.
Dave,
If all you are looking for is a copy of the competitor's doc, you should be
able to get that through YOUR company's sales/marketing department.
As for contacting the competition's writers....well, if someone did that to
me, I'd be real pissed. Yea, there is the "we are the writing world" spirit
thing, but it sort of gets left in the mud under the porch when you're talking
about the competition. You should also check this out with your manager
BEFORE you attempt contact. You could be violating a slew of non-disclosure
statements that you signed.
