[astcq-discuss] Re: The future of meetings
- From: "Brian O'Sullivan" <cinfo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <astcq-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2004 12:35:09 +1000
Hi all,
I haven't been active at all on this list in 2004. This is mainly due to
other interests and commitments taking up my time. So here are my thoughts:
I'm not particularly interested in attending courses. However, I am
interested in seeing how other writers go about their work. Most of us in
Qld work in a professional vacuum, rarely getting the opportunity to learn
from others. This is one of the reasons I tracked down this group last year.
It would be handy if we could list our skill sets somewhere so others could
ask questions if they find themselves attempting an area they have little
prior experience in. For example, a lot of what I do finishes up in printed
manuals. As such I have LOTS of experience with printers, pre-press
requirements, colour management, methods of printing depending on end use,
costing print runs, page layout for maximum comprehension, etc. On the other
hand I do very little on-line documentation. I know the basics but have
little experience in some of the different tools out there. One day I'll get
asked to do it!
Another key goal in my opinion should be promoting the profession. As I have
mention in earlier posts every company I have written for had never used a
technical writer before me. In every case the existing documentation was
frightening! I work in the high voltage electrical engineering field and
having an incorrect manual can mean someone dies and the company is liable.
I am constantly surprised at the amount of experienced engineers I have met
over the years who have never come across a technical writer before, and
then ask me what exactly it is I do. This may be a peculiarity to Qld R&D
organisations but I suspect the electrical/electronics industry is ripe
pickens for writers if only these companies realised such a thing existed!
The only problem with all this is organisation - someone has to commit the
time and that is very difficult for most of us.
Nice to see the list is still active!
Regards,
Brian O'Sullivan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christine Birtley-Kent" <birtley_kent@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <astcq-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2004 10:03 AM
Subject: [astcq-discuss] The future of meetings
> Hi all
> I am not really in favour of courses for specific skills - let those who
want to run them, organise them and use the lists to advertise them. But I
am in favour of sharing our knowledge of the industry - and developing a
kind of professional awareness or career development approach.
>
> Back in the 'old days', in Victoria, we had an extremely healthy group
that moved from one person's workplace to another, and each person shared
what they were doing with the rest of the group. We often had as many as
30 or 40 attending meetings. We got to snoop on how other workplaces
functioned, how other projects were run, and the kind of innovations that
were going on. We perhaps even spotted where we wanted to work next.
>
> The Canberra group still seems to do this, and, for the short term I was
there to watch, it seemed to be very well attended for a small city - 20ish
people to a meeting and then a meal afterwards. I am sure if we asked them,
they would share their programs for the last few years so we could see the
sorts of things they have done and get some ideas of where to start.
>
> But I do think that there is one ingredient necessary for this to work -
there must be some technical writers out there whose workplaces are doing
something interesting and innovative, or are doing something to a fabulously
high standard.
>
> My view of the world has narrowed in the last few years - perhaps I have
become jaundiced - but I am not seeing much innovative or superb stuff
happening. This may either be because it is not happening, or it may be
because I am in the wrong places to see it happening.
>
> So if the group went down this path, it would certainly help me, and
perhaps others, develop a realistic perspective as to the nature of
technical writing as a profession, and perhaps help us find the 'hot spots'
where our talents can be best placed.
>
> Regards, Christine
> Phone: 07 55288512
> Mobile: 0407 604010
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