On 11/11/06, tarage <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > 1) Is the technology applicable to your job? Not every technology is, > yet you wouldn't know that by listening to the overheated tech-whores > peddling every new idea as if it were better than the wheel, fire, and > moveable type combined. XML did not CHANGE EVERYTHING. Just stop it. I > still brush my teeth, drive my car, and use the bathroom the same way.
As a matter of fact, XML is not looming large in my future. At this time we have no need for it. After reading the descriptions of DITA, I don't believe it would be a help for us. > 2) Will you get to use it? Even the greatest idea is meaningless if > you're not allowed to implement it. Tech writers usually aren't the > ones who make decisions on tools or paradigms. That's the stuff of > managers. My manager knows nothing of tech writing, and so listens to me as to what tools are appropriate. I do have to have a good business reason for changing tools, and before I do I have to make sure that the developers will alter code to accommodate the change. This does not always happen---heck, I have one project that is still using WinHelp. > I know some folks live, breathe, eat, and sleep tech writing and make > out with every new idea that hurtles down the pike, but me? Sure it > pays to be aware of what's out there, but my job is not my life. I > won't spend it on the paradigm treadmill. Being overworked and understaffed, we don't have the luxury of playing with new software. I did install the Flare 2.0 demo, but the 30-day window flew past and I never had the chance to even start it. But thanks to all of you who sent links and explanations of DITA. I like to at least know what the acronyms stand for! Nancy Kaminski _______________________________________________ Are you a Help Authoring Trainer or Consultant? Let clients find you at www.HAT.Matrix.com, the searchable HAT database based on Char James-Tanny's HAT Comparison Matrix. Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] for details. Interested in Interactive 3D Documentation? Get the scoop at http://www.doc-u-motion.com -- your 3D documentation community. _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals To post a message to the list, send an email to [email protected] To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com or, via email, send a blank message [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit the TCP site at http://www.techcommpros.com To find out more about the list, including archives and your account options, visit http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com If you need assistance with the list, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
