Writer Angst
Aug. 31st, 2006 03:08 pmDear Programmer,
When I ask you to provide a definition for a component in the application, don't tell me that I don't need that information. I'm the writer, so I know what I need to include in my documentation. You're a coding monkey, so stick to what you're good at.
Please don't provide information that tells me how stupid you think I am. If I need a definition for an object call LargeRedBall, I need something a bit more substantial than a definition like "LargeRedBall is a large ball object of type red." That's not helpful. I need to know what it is using terms that are not used in the name of the thing and I need an example of its use.
Also, don't sigh and act like you're doing me a huge favour giving me this information. I'm not a technical writer because I'm too stupid to be a programmer.
Sincerely yours,
Hobbes
The Brittle Technical Writer
When I ask you to provide a definition for a component in the application, don't tell me that I don't need that information. I'm the writer, so I know what I need to include in my documentation. You're a coding monkey, so stick to what you're good at.
Please don't provide information that tells me how stupid you think I am. If I need a definition for an object call LargeRedBall, I need something a bit more substantial than a definition like "LargeRedBall is a large ball object of type red." That's not helpful. I need to know what it is using terms that are not used in the name of the thing and I need an example of its use.
Also, don't sigh and act like you're doing me a huge favour giving me this information. I'm not a technical writer because I'm too stupid to be a programmer.
Sincerely yours,
Hobbes
The Brittle Technical Writer