Tag: technical writing

WHERE’S THE MANUAL?

The subject came up again last night. Owen bought a receiver (not new) and supposedly in good functioning condition. He couldn't get it to do anything but sit there and click. He downloaded the "manual" or what claimed to be the manual. He still could not figure out how to make the receiver tell the … Continue reading WHERE’S THE MANUAL?

I’M STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT – Marilyn Armstrong

One of the many things I learned while working for a living was "never let them know how good you really are." It sounds like a joke, but it isn't. Moreover, I've always been more fond of family and friends than my work, except for the year I ran a newspaper in Israel. I totally … Continue reading I’M STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT – Marilyn Armstrong

THE MANUAL YOU DON’T HAVE – Marilyn Armstrong

Last night, someone I know and who should know better, complained that Olympus, from whom he bought his camera, should fire the tech writer. Because there was no manual. There was a booklet that listed the options but didn't explain what they were or what to do with them. Well, duh. I felt obliged to … Continue reading THE MANUAL YOU DON’T HAVE – Marilyn Armstrong

ON BECOMING OBSOLETE

It's an odd feeling to be declared obsolete. I had been getting increasingly less relevant for a while, but after the dot coms went down, the high-tech world turned on its ear. Venture capital disappeared and so did the start-ups that had been my bread and butter. Tech writers were replaced by automated systems that generate "documentation" … Continue reading ON BECOMING OBSOLETE

WHEN YOU COULD LOOK IT UP IN A BOOK

Last night, someone I actually know and who should know better, complained the camera company from whom he bought his camera should fire the tech writer. Because there was no manual. I felt obliged to point out the reason there is no manual is they never hired a tech writer in the first place. If … Continue reading WHEN YOU COULD LOOK IT UP IN A BOOK

NO ONE READS MANUALS

It's an odd feeling to be declared obsolete. I had been getting increasingly less relevant for a while, but after the dot coms went down, the high-tech world turned on its ear. Venture capital disappeared and so did the start-ups that had been my bread and butter. Tech writers were replaced by automated systems that generate "documentation" … Continue reading NO ONE READS MANUALS

JUST A FEW MINUTES

Flash Talk - You’re about to enter a room full of strangers, where you will have exactly four minutes to tell a story that would convey who you really are. What’s your story? "Good morning. You are," glancing at my résumé on his desk, "Marilyn Armstrong. And you're here about the ... " pausing to look … Continue reading JUST A FEW MINUTES

MY BRILLIANT CAREER

Futures Past As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? How close or far are you from that vision? I wanted to be a writer ... although I wanted to be a cowboy first. By the time I was old enough to sort out fantasy from plans, cowboy had morphed into … Continue reading MY BRILLIANT CAREER

OBSOLETE? I THINK YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT ME!

Going Obsolete Of the technologies that have become extinct in your lifetime, which do you miss most? I was declared obsolete about 6 years ago. I had been getting progressively less relevant for quite a while, but after the dot coms went down in flames, the high-tech world changed dramatically. Venture capital disappeared and with it, the exciting … Continue reading OBSOLETE? I THINK YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT ME!

Would it kill them to include a manual?

My sentiments exactly!