I'll add it to our new tech docs site at http://www.ihearttechnicalwriting.com/

Working on it over xmas thus the delay in getting back. Hope all is well.

Ivan

You’ve made some very good points here, especially writing as a commodity.

I’m going to try to pull this point out and write an article on it in the new year.

I’m also moving the site to a dedicated technical writing site, http://ihearttechnicalwriting.com/, which goes live in Jan.

I hear what you're saying about Scott by the way, though I do feel that many technical writers are moving away from ‘documentation activities’ and into other fields.

Some because they want to, others because their options are limited (or close to zero) where they are.

Next year, I will discuss more career development issues for technical writers on the new site.

We all know the mechanics of how to do our jobs but building (or re-building) a career in this climate is not so easy.

Take is easy over xmas.

Back in Jan 2010!

Ivan

I’ll add her to the list for sure.

Fwiw we’re moving to a new site – http://ihearttechnicalwriting.com – which is why the posts have stopped for now.

Lots of tweaking to do over there.

Bye

Ivan

Jack Molisani
ProSpring Technical Staffing
http://www.prospringstaffing.com
866-302-5774 x201

Follow me on Twitter: Jack Molisani

First, can I thank you for taking the time to make these comments. I'm sure you're up to your eyes with work – so, it’s real encouraging.

About no-one cares about technical writing.

That was a shock to read. When I first read it, I blew me away.

But I see what you're getting at. The technical writing world is fragmenting.

1. Technical writers as Assembly Line workers

These are staying as they are and see themselves as ‘technical writers’, mostly because this is their career, it’s what they trained in, and maybe they are re-signed to this. The window of opportunity is closed / or closing. I see this with people who send me in CVs. After 15 years writing or so of tech docs, its hard to see where else to go. Bit like the guys in the Shawshank Redemption. Not that bad, but y’know…

2. Technical writers 2.0

I know the 2.0 thing is a cliché but this is where they’re going. People like Tom Johnson are pushing the boat to see where this field takes us… wikis, rss, collaboration. Whatever. It’s the content that counts.
No-one cares if it’s a user document or a release note.

Does it fix the problem?

Does it make my life easier?

Does it answer my question?

Chris Brogan is really clued into this. One sharp puppy.

3. Technical writers as business people

This is where people get up, stagger away from the safety of the cubicle, and setup a new business. They’ve cut their teeth in technical writing and now want to go up a gear.

Jay Z is an example of this.

Why pidgeon-hole yourself as a rapper. He morphs into the fashion industry. I bet there were endless trolls who wanted him to fail. But he pulled it off.

And about the snipping. Thanks for the support. Some of the emails would leave you speechless. What’s wrong with these people?

There’s a saying at home: “nothing hurts more than seeing your friends succeed.”
Obviously, these are not my friends but some people will work very hard to pull you down.

Such is life.

Plato summed it up years ago. “Focus on those running ahead. Ignore those falling behind.”

I may need to re-think the long-terms goals of the site (or change the slant) but that’s what we’re hear for.

Thanks again, Scott.

Regards,
Ivan
PS – your Linked profile is very smart. I’m sure it didn’t happen by accident. Guys like you raise the bar. Thx

Jack Molisani
ProSpring Technical Staffing
http://www.prospringstaffing.com
866-302-5774 x201

Follow me on Twitter: Jack Molisani

Thanks for pointing this out. Your article on Alternate Career Paths for Technical Communicators is very close to what I've been working on this week. You beat me to the punch!

It’s a great read for technical writers looking for careers that compliment and/or allow them to move into other areas.

Thinking of transitioning out of technical writing and into a related field? Read Jack Molisani's presentation on alternate career paths before making your move.

http://www.prospringstaffing.com/Resource/Alter...

I’ll update the list tonight.

Thanks again,

Ivan

Regards,

Jack

Thanks for adding me to your list. I find it flattering, although, myself and a dozen or so of the people on this list (and several that some commenters thought should be included, but weren't) don't even do much technical writing any more. And, we're not going to. We're consultants, strategists, advisors, teachers, trainers, and more. Content is what we care about, technical content, or otherwise. The practices we mastered in the techcomm field are equally valuable outside of techcomm.

That said, you did a great job at identifying folks on the web associated with technical writing. Please ignore the folks who just can't help but nitpick your efforts (they'll likely be the ones without jobs in the future, anyway). These folks don't get it — it's not about tech writing. No one cares about tech writing. They care about service, about finding answers to problems, and about positive experiences. The organizations we work for care about profit, revenue, expenses, return on investment, and shareholder value. Many techcommers are starting to realize this, including some of the ones on your list.

So, rejoice! You are helping to help others get noticed on the web and you're creating content that someone may find useful, regardless of whether everyone does or not. Good job! This is what the web is all about.

Scott Abel, The Content Wrangler
+1 (760) 550-9321 scottabel@mac.com
blog: http://www.thecontentwrangler.com
community: http://thecontentwrangler.ning.com
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/scottabel
friendfeed: http://friendfeed.com/thecontentwrangler
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/scottpatrickabel
businessweek: http://bx.businessweek.com/profile/scott-abel/s...

Intelligent Content 2010
The Magic Behind Intelligent Content
Feb. 25-26, 2010 * Palm Springs, CA
http://www.intelligentcontent2010.com

There are several professional organizations/societies in Israel – most larger and at least as active as elephant. To call yourself “the” anything negates much of what you attempt to do and say.

Techshoret (http://www.techshoret.com) is a list that has been in place many many years longer and has at least 10 times the number of people (actually closer to 20, is my guess). Techshoret runs the only national conference for technical writers in Israel (this year will be our 4th annual, which followed similar conferences that I and others organized in the past).

The survey you quote is free to participate (who charges anyone to take part in a survey?), but not free to view the results unless you agree to divulge a lot of personal information (it is not anonymous – you have to tell Svi who much you earn and quite a bit of personal information, etc. etc.). If you don't participate, you can't get the results for free (as opposed to the Techshoret site, which does regularly, free, anonymous surveys and makes them available to everyone.

STC-Israel has been a long time participant in the technical writing community, although yes, for the last few years, they have been much less active.

I have never understood the need to put down or ignore other organizations in an attempt to promote your own.