Rod's Mine

Technical writer, documentation consultant, online help developer, hypertext author, information developer...the title changes according to the media, but the job is basically the same -- provide information in a form useful to an audience. The tools don't really matter; after several years in today's marketplace, a good writer knows enough tools to know he can readily learn whatever tool is required.

The process of obtaining the required information doesn't really matter, as long as sufficient accurate material is gathered without ruffling too many feathers. Understanding the material does matter. You have to know what your audience needs to perform their functions correctly and efficiently. You have to know what material is important to them, preferably without having to ask your client. You have to understand what the data means to decide what to present, and how to present it to the audience. Wasting your audience's time is as bad as wasting your client's time.

I started out on the technical side, and still keep up with technical developments (mostly because it is fun for me). In this industry, details are important; so I take special care to be accurate. I believe in doing things the right way. "Quality is number one, but we won't miss any scheduled ship dates come hell or high water" doesn't cut it (the quote is from a CEO). Doing the job properly does not necessarily mean it will take longer, and will certainly save time and money in the long run.

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