No, it's not a foreign language or a secret computer programming acronym like HTML. It's the language of high tech, written by technical writers (also know as tech writers and technical communicators) who take the technological "geek speak" of scientists and engineers and translate it into information products that make today's high tech products and services understandable for the rest of us.
Whether you are trying to figure out your cell phone features, your VCR, or how to operate a piece of equipment at work, technical writers are there to help bridge the gap between a technology innovation and the consumer who wants to use it. These new-age writers research, acquire, and formulate information so that consumers are able to correctly operate and enjoy technology products. In so doing, technical writers help create the rapport between a business and its consumers that can be critical to a company's image and its bottom line.
These specialized writers are technically oriented communicators who document various technologies from A to Z and put into laymen's terms everything from Digital Network Architecture (DNA) to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) without even being experts on the subject. These specialized writers may write about sinusoidal currents, cars, excimer lasers, ink-jet printers or compact servomotors. Tech writers can break down something complex like how to launch a missile or something simpler like how to send a text message. Although, for those who don't know how to do either, both projects may seem pretty daunting
Technical writers produce hundreds of informational products for many different industries that help bridge the gap of comprehension. Some of the most common products include customer manuals, installation instructions, white papers, on-line help systems, data sheets, websites, application program interface (API), company procedures, programmer guides, tutorials, and proposals.
What it takes to be a tech
Technical writers often need various skills to perform their service including:
Editing
Graphic design
Indexing
Template development
Technical illustrating
Project management
Software tools testing
To ensure the best possible product and time spent efficiently, technical communicators also use a variety of tools such as Framemaker, RoboHelp and Dreamweaver to name just a few.
While technical writers must understand the technical aspects of a product and are able to explain many technical terms, they are not necessarily the subject matter experts. Writers gain a good understanding of their subject matter through research papers, internal documents stored on shared network drives, installation guides, self-directed learning in a lab, various forms of collateral material, and by consulting with various personnel. Good documentation usually requires good collaboration and is the result of a process of thinking, writing, and revising until the idea is fully developed and well presented.
Why is their work so highly valued?
Good documentation has many tangible benefits:
Legal departments reduce grievances and litigation when technical information is presented to customers accurately and clearly.
Training can be more effective because the documentation is clear and concise.
Technical support personnel can use technical communication to reduce calls to the support desk by including commonly asked support questions in the online user help system.
Sales may improve as a result of easily-referenced product specs.
Time and money can often be saved by the release of concise and accurate procedures or data sheets.
Companies may improve the rate of repeat sales and word-of-mouth sales as customers can more easily understand and use product features.
Companies may improve the image of their current products and that of subsequent products when the documentation is organized and presented well.
There's no denying that technology is bringing the people of our planet closer together. Innovations like the internet, the Ipod and the television have only hastened the onslaught of new consumer-aimed innovations in biotechnology, software, telecommunications and many other industries. Thanks to technical writers, who are producing the language of this technological culture in user manuals, instruction guides and business proposals, we can all understand and take advantage of this dynamic new world.
___________________________________________________________________ "Speak properly, and in as few words as you can, but always plainly; for the end of speech is not ostentation, but to be understood." ~ William Penn, English religious leader and colonist (1644 – 1718)
Richard Leatherman is a technical writer for Write on the Edge, Inc., a contract technical writing firm in Vista, CA. www.wote.com.
Whether you are trying to figure out your cell phone features, your VCR, or how to operate a piece of equipment at work, technical writers are there to help bridge the gap between a technology innovation and the consumer who wants to use it. These new-age writers research, acquire, and formulate information so that consumers are able to correctly operate and enjoy technology products. In so doing, technical writers help create the rapport between a business and its consumers that can be critical to a company's image and its bottom line.
These specialized writers are technically oriented communicators who document various technologies from A to Z and put into laymen's terms everything from Digital Network Architecture (DNA) to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) without even being experts on the subject. These specialized writers may write about sinusoidal currents, cars, excimer lasers, ink-jet printers or compact servomotors. Tech writers can break down something complex like how to launch a missile or something simpler like how to send a text message. Although, for those who don't know how to do either, both projects may seem pretty daunting
Technical writers produce hundreds of informational products for many different industries that help bridge the gap of comprehension. Some of the most common products include customer manuals, installation instructions, white papers, on-line help systems, data sheets, websites, application program interface (API), company procedures, programmer guides, tutorials, and proposals.
What it takes to be a tech
Technical writers often need various skills to perform their service including:
Editing
Graphic design
Indexing
Template development
Technical illustrating
Project management
Software tools testing
To ensure the best possible product and time spent efficiently, technical communicators also use a variety of tools such as Framemaker, RoboHelp and Dreamweaver to name just a few.
While technical writers must understand the technical aspects of a product and are able to explain many technical terms, they are not necessarily the subject matter experts. Writers gain a good understanding of their subject matter through research papers, internal documents stored on shared network drives, installation guides, self-directed learning in a lab, various forms of collateral material, and by consulting with various personnel. Good documentation usually requires good collaboration and is the result of a process of thinking, writing, and revising until the idea is fully developed and well presented.
Why is their work so highly valued?
Good documentation has many tangible benefits:
Legal departments reduce grievances and litigation when technical information is presented to customers accurately and clearly.
Training can be more effective because the documentation is clear and concise.
Technical support personnel can use technical communication to reduce calls to the support desk by including commonly asked support questions in the online user help system.
Sales may improve as a result of easily-referenced product specs.
Time and money can often be saved by the release of concise and accurate procedures or data sheets.
Companies may improve the rate of repeat sales and word-of-mouth sales as customers can more easily understand and use product features.
Companies may improve the image of their current products and that of subsequent products when the documentation is organized and presented well.
There's no denying that technology is bringing the people of our planet closer together. Innovations like the internet, the Ipod and the television have only hastened the onslaught of new consumer-aimed innovations in biotechnology, software, telecommunications and many other industries. Thanks to technical writers, who are producing the language of this technological culture in user manuals, instruction guides and business proposals, we can all understand and take advantage of this dynamic new world.
___________________________________________________________________ "Speak properly, and in as few words as you can, but always plainly; for the end of speech is not ostentation, but to be understood." ~ William Penn, English religious leader and colonist (1644 – 1718)
Richard Leatherman is a technical writer for Write on the Edge, Inc., a contract technical writing firm in Vista, CA. www.wote.com.