Tech Writing

[enzo]

I'm curious to know more about Tech Writing. I've seen this term here and there and knew nothing of it until I researched a little recently.



Is there much to tech writing, (without trying to offend professional tech writers) can anyone do it or does it require training? Is there much business for it in Ireland? Do most designers/developers do their own tech writing or do ye hire someone?
To any tech writers here, how did ye get started in the trade?

Lots of questions I know, but any info would be appreciated.

 

[paul]

Is this like Technical Doucmentation ? Writing specs and requiremnt and those kind of things ? Personally I would give it a wide berth, but maybe that's just me.

I tried, and failed to write a tender notice & specification recently and it was pretty difficult. Thankfully the project isn't likely to be tendered now

 

[enzo]

Is this like Technical Doucmentation ? Writing specs and requiremnt and those kind of things ?

user manuals, help documentation, web site content (i think) etc etc etc etc

I tried, and failed to write a tender notice & specification recently and it was pretty difficult.

Forgive my ignorance, tender notice & specification?

 

[paul]

It was a document that had details the framework for the project. Clients would then have to submit a tender proposal based on this. Like a project definition, I guess.

 

[enzo]

It was a document that had details the framework for the project. Clients would then have to submit a tender proposal based on this. Like a project definition, I guess.

Ah right, thx.

 

[mneylon]

Technical writing is quite specialised, not only in the usage of language but the kind of tools a lot of companies use.

 

[Cormac]

There are a good few Technical Writer positions available in Ireland
> Irish Jobs - Job Search Ireland Your Job Search Results
SAP in Galway are a very big recruiter for such roles.

 

[enzo]

Technical writing is quite specialised, not only in the usage of language but the kind of tools a lot of companies use.

That would be at the pro end of the scale would it? Such as the jobs Cormac posted?
Do you know what programs are most used? Framemaker/Word/etc?

 

[mneylon]

I'd check the job listings

 

[enzo]

I'd check the job listings

Ah yes, that would have been the obvious place to look