Chapter Summary

Accurate and concise technical writing is critical in the development of a user document. While technical communicators are often responsible for writing text in user documentation, they also manage other technical writers, both "in house" and freelance. Technical communicators and project managers should use work schedules to ensure that all writing deadlines are met. Modules allow different writers to contribute to a user document, but it is important that the document be consistent throughout. Templates, electronic versions of modules that have all of their sections or functions presented without specific content, can be used to create uniformity.

It is important for technical writers to remain up to date with technology. This can be done by subscribing to a computer magazine, joining a technical communication professional association, studying existing user documentation, and reading widely. It is also important to be familiar with software, such as Adobe Acrobat® and FrameMaker®, that is commonly used in creating documents.

Online Links

IEEE Computer Society (Page 172)
www.computer.org/software

Bookstore Web sites (Page 174)
www.amazon.com
www.bn.com

Search Engine Web sites (Page 177)
www.altavista.com
www.askjeeves.com
www.google.com
www.webcrawler.com

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