Archive for January 2009
A Guide to Technical Writing Certification and Top Certificate Programs
What is a Technical Writing Certification? A technical writing certification is an industry-recognized credential that signals to employers that the holder has the skills and knowledge to produce documents in a specific field. Benefits of a Technical Writing Certification There are many benefits to obtaining a technical writing certification. The most obvious benefit is that…
Read More2 Job Moves for Writers in a Tight Market
We’re in a tight market, although probably more so for copy writers than technical writers. It’s time to re-group, re-position, and update that resume. Here are two suggestions: If you have an energy or environmental background, it’s time to re-position yourself as a “Green Writer” which covers both the alternative energy sector and environmental protectionism.…
Read MoreHow to "Whitelist" a Vendor's Email Address
by Early to Rise Unsolicited, unwanted advertising e-mail, commonly known as “spam”, has become a big problem. It’s reached such proportions that most e-mail services and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have put blocking and filtering systems to keep these messages out. The systems work… but sometimes they work too well, blocking messages that you have…
Read MoreTechnical Writing – What's the Difference Between Copy Writing and Technical Documentation?
© Ugur Akinci There are four different goals of writing, depending on the writer and the assignment in question. Writers try to 1) sell 2) teach 3) move, or 4) administer others. And these goals give rise to the following four types of writing: 1) Copy writing (sell) 2) Technical writing (teach) 3) Fiction/Creative writing…
Read MoreTechnical Writing Job That Pays $100K
Introduction It’s important from time to time just to remind ourselves of the kind of opportunities that still exist out there for technical writing and qualified technical writers even during economic downturns. Here is one such full-time writing position, offered by a U.S. Federal Agency to U.S. citizen writers. Pays Well It pays a salary…
Read MoreWhat is a Retronym?
Introduction Would you believe if I told you that you use one “retronym” after another whole day long? You probably wouldn’t because, as a life-time student of English, I also didn’t know for years what a “retronym” was. The reason I’m sharing this with you is my firm belief about the power of becoming fully…
Read MoreResearching a Technical Document
There are many preparatory steps in technical writing that you as a writer need to take before actually sitting down and start writing a technical document. 7 Issues to Consider Here are 7 issues you need to consider in the pre-production phase of your documentation project: Purpose will you be generating the technical document in…
Read MoreOperating Systems – Linux or Windows? Long Live UBUNTU!
© Ugur Akinci Ubuntu is a great Linux Distribution. As I’m writing these words, a major computer wholesaler has decided to ship some of its new models with Linux Operating System. They have selected UBUNTU’s 7.04 “Feisty Fawn” distribution of Linux. (Windows have OS releases or versions like XP or Vista; Linux has “distributions” like…
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Greenhouse Gases – A Great Writing Niche for Writers
Introduction One writing niche that requires more technical writers is the GHG (Green House Gases) sector. Technical writing is evolving fast with the changes in the global economy. If you are a writer with good scientific background and an interest in environmental issues and global warming, you might consider specializing in GHG since the need…
Read MoreMS Word – How to Draw a Target Diagram – Step-by-Step Instructions
Introduction A target diagram is used to visually represent the hierarchical relationship between a set of targets. It is a set of concentric circles, each circle representing a subset of the outer circle. It is like a flowchart that describes more specific concepts or objects as you go from the outer circle to the inner…
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