The First End User, You
Learning New Technology
One of the joys of being a writer, and a technical writer in particular, is getting the opportunity to constantly learn new things and write about them. Do you love to learn? Hopefully you do, because as a technical writer you'll be learning new applications regularly. Part of learning is simply having the right attitude. Learning can be a challenge. It can take you out of your comfort zone. Lots of people in the workplace resist the challenge of learning new software or new equipment, but the technical writer doesn't have this option. You'll need to enjoy learning or think about a different career.
Ask Questions
Asking questions is a great way to learn. Getting a feel for whom to ask is a great skill to develop. While someone wise said that, "There are no dumb questions." sometimes there are bad places to ask good questions. Take S.M.E. for example. While your S.M.E. may be eager to explain the benefits of the latest piece of software, they'll get annoyed if you ask them what software is. If you're lost or have basic questions, try to get answers from friends outside your workplace, Internet research, and reading. Getting up to speed on a topic before talking to the S.M.E. lets them know you respect their time and are willing to do your homework.
At the same time, realizing that you have "dumb" questions can be an asset for you as a technical writer, because you'll remember that some users may have the same questions. The whole reason technical writing has grown as a field is that S.M.E. with an intimate knowledge of technology often can't step outside their own brain and speak to people with far less knowledge. So don't criticize yourself for having basic questions. Honor them. Remember that your users may have them too. Try, though, to answer them on your own before seeking expert help.
Get to Know your Learning Process
How do you like to learn? How do other people like to learn? When approaching a project like a user's manual, you may feel that the best way to start is by giving a lot of background or explanation about a product so that users can understand it before trying to use it. But is that the way you personally like to learn? The last time you brought home a computer, did you sit down with the manual before ever touching the computer, or did you grab the computer and see if you could start it up without ever touching the manual?
Most people would choose the second option. Most learners want to know the least amount they need to get a product up and running and only consult the manual if they are having trouble. Get to know your learning process, and ask others to see if your learning style matches or contrasts with theirs. If you get a new cell phone or mp3 player, observe yourself learning about it. How do you approach the process? How do you feel about the help its manufacturer offers?
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