Technical Writer or Technical Communicator?

Technical Writers - #28 in Top 50 Jobs in America
Technical Writers are not just writers anymore! Most of us illustrate our manuals too, but that is after we learn the product by tearing it down, do testing on it, interview the design Engineers and put it back together. And let’s talk about ALL the software we use. Where I work we use up to 5 CAD applications and 4 publishing applications. Mostly because the software companies keep changing them and who has time to go back and convert all the out of production documentation? Especially when the Engineers keep designing new products. We also have to be web savy because alot of deliverables today are sent out via the internet and or on CD. We also are being recurited for assembly work instructions and interactive training. When will everyone listen to the STC and start giving us our new proper title, Technical Communicators! Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but the title just doesnt say it like it is.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2009/snapshots/28.html

Unemployment Held Up

http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/08/news/economy/extending_unemployment_benefits/index.htm

Blog about Dustin's Comment
I bet Dustin has a job, because he doesn’t seem to understand these people need the unemployment to keep the basics, housing and food. Healthcare is not an option for these people, you cannot afford cobra insurance when you are on unemployment. Most don’t realize that in most states if you own a home you cannot get food stamps or any other type of help. And with the housing market it is today, you can’t sell your house to buy food. People are stuck. One of the reasons people are also out of work is because of lean manufacturing, tons of positions were lost, this was needed for America to contend with competition. But if the government would do away with NAFTA, and actually make other countries trade equally or not at all with us, these people could get back to work. NAFTA is the main root cause of all this mess.

Is Big Brother Watching?

It was just a few weeks ago, a co-worker whose son happens to be in the FBI told me that they caught a bank robber using technology he was not allowed to tell details about. He said, “Dad, you wouldn’t believe what they are using these days. In our country, because of technology, cell phones, computers etc... It makes it so easy to find someone”.

Facebook had, key word is had, an application to allow third –party developers to create polls. I went to cnn.com this morning to get the latest news and found that on Facebook, a poll was being taken to see if Obama should be killed or not. The Secret Service contacted Facebook and asked for the application to be pulled. Of course Facebook had already taken it off.

I don’t want to get into a political debate over issues that none of us really have control over at this point. The issues are the hands of the representative that we have elected. But I do want to warn everyone, you are being watched. Even participating in a polls and signing on-line petitions can come back to haunt you someday. Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Internet interactivity and of course your cell phone ARE being watched!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/28/facebook.poll/index.html

Lost Friends, If I could talk to them now….

In the past week I have lost two friends. One to Cancer, she was an old friend who I did not get to see while she was ill. The other I did see but didn’t realize what was to happen a short time later.
She had a mental illness and a quick radical down turn which brought her to suicide. With each one of them I never had the chance to say any last words, so I felt that it would be appropriate to talk to each of them one last time though written words….

Rowina,
if I could talk to you today I would tell you how much you’ll be missed. I would remind you of all the great times we had even though times were tough. Being single parents, loving our kids, working hard at the factory everyday when we were young, and making the best of it on the weekends : ). All of us (You, Shelia, Colette and Me) being in Denise & Tom’s wedding together, from the fun we had picking out our dresses (you know that is the only time I ever seen you in a dress!), to the reception (Party of all Parties!). Even though we hadn’t seen each other in years, you called me when I needed you. You were an encourager, and a friend with a heart of gold! Ro, you will always be in my heart and on my mind.

Diane,
Oh how I wish I would have known your hurt and your pain. For your life to end such as it did is tragic.
I do know many feelings you faced everyday were not of your own but what you were dealt with.
If I only would have known, I would have hugged you so tight the last time I saw you! How often we are buried in our busy lives not to notice the signs of someone’s pain and struggles. I will not let guilt bring me down but have learned to pay more attention. I will miss you my friend!


I'll be seeing you both again someday,
Barb

Facebook

The user base for Face book as grown past 300 million people! Amazing, at least for me it is. I come from the "Pre-computer Age" group. The era that had a black and white TV at home. I remember when most people wouldnt deal with banks or other bussinesses that used computers. Everyone was afraid of what they didnt know. They were scared that mysterious glitches in computers would deplete thier accounts or misuse personal information. It was in the mid 90's when I took my first computer class, AutoCAD. I couldnt use e-mail, internet or even know how to turn one on. I informed my instructor of this and as he showed me how to turn the computer on, I said your going to have fun with me in your class, he said, "No your going to have fun".

I have come a long way since that day, I now make a living, do my banking and communicate with others by the use of a computer. I even run a side bussniess by the use of a web site. Whatever I need information about I just Google it! And just the other day, I joined Facebook. Never dreamed I could connect with people from my past or across the globe so quickly.

Making Marketplaces for Media Makers

When searching the web for "Making Marketplaces for Media Makers", I came across a blog written by Mark Sigal. He makes a good point in his quote, "There's something happening here;What it is ain't exactly clear.” He talks about several different forms of media taking us all into the unknown, ever changing world.


Network Garden blog

Welcome

Welcome to my Blog. My name is Barbara Schwarz. I am working on an Internet Technologies degree at Edison Community College. I am furthering my education for my job as a Technical Illustrator/Writer at Midmark Corporation. My Technical Publications team is also looking for new ways to reach our documentation users with service information for our products. I also run a business which will most likely soar to new heights by the use of social networking.