GEne Kim-Eng wrote: > Speaking as someone who "employs" tech writers, the bottom > line is always a default. I'm just not sure whether "because > management wants it" should be listed as a pro or a con in > an answer to Joyce's question... > In response to Tom Johnson's comments on my comments:
>> Al has the bottom line absolutely right. You need to provide what your >> employer wants, but it's up to you to do the best you can within the >> guidelines your employer gives you. And, you need to help your employer >> make informed decisions. > I agree with Gene to a point. In my case, it was Customer Service, Training, and Product Development who both requested that a description of system operating be included with both the Service Manual and User Guide. The latter would be a condensed version of the theory of operation. The reasoning behind this is both Users and Service personnel require knowledge of system operation in order to develop "recipes" for wafer bonding, and to keep the system operating optimaly. (These systems can either be standalone or included in a cluster with robot control.) In both cases, the "theory of operation" is in its own section allowing readers to quickly skip over the material if all they need are the service/repair procedures. THese systems involve embedded controllers, high pressure pneumatics and precision electromechanical controllers. It ain't yer normal product..... I also "employ" technical writers, but we ultimately answer to upper management. Does this answer Joyce's initial question? I think so in that regardless of what we think...they sign the checks, or okay the invoice. If we don't please them, we can get mightly hungry. Al ______________________________________________ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
