Why Technical Writers Shouldn’t Be Writers
April 14, 2009 Chapter Meeting
Presenter: Alan Porter
In twenty plus years as a tech author, editor, heading publications shops, consultant and working for software vendors selling into the tech pubs market, I’ve always heard the same story – heck, I even heard it this week. “Why don’t people respect technical publications?” Maybe part of the problem is that the vast majority of us are Writers. We love the written word. Maybe we love it a little too much? We need to ask ourselves, is the written word the best thing for Technical Publications?
This presentation will take a look at why we are so focused on the written word, and present a few ideas about better ways for us to deliver our message to the end user in a way that increases customer satisfaction, and might even gain tech docs a little more respect…
Alan Porter has 20 plus years experience in Corporate Publishing in the UK and USA. He has been involved in the development and adoption of various publishing standards and has been a regular speaker at industry conferences. He has held senior management positions at various publishing software and services companies, allied with extensive consulting experience. Alan is a regular speaker, blogger, and twitter addict, who is happy to talk publishing to anyone who will listen. He is also a published author with several books, comics and numerous magazine articles to his name.
Date: April 14, 2009
Location: Mustang Engineering – Please note new location!
Wood Group Building, 17420 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77094
Time: 5:30 p.m. Networking, 6:30 p.m Program
Meeting RSVP: $10 Members, $15 Non-Members, $5 Students/Retired
Map Diagram Directions from Downtown Houston to the Wood Group building:
- Take I-10 (Katy Freeway) to Barker Cypress Rd.
- Turn right (North) onto Barker Cypress.
- Travel to the first traffic light, and then turn right (East) onto Park Row – The Wood
Group building is the first building on the right.
Important: Any of the popular map applications place the pointer on the Katy Freeway feeder. The actual entry point to the Wood Group building is accessible from Park Row, which is just north of the Katy Freeway.
Parking is free of charge and available in front of the building and within the adjacent garage. After parking, enter the Wood Group building through the double-glass doors, which face Park Row. Upon entry, someone will guide you to the Opus Event room, where Mustang Engineering will host the April STC Houston Chapter meeting.
