Comments on: ITauthor podcast #34 – Testing testing 123

By: itauthor

itauthor — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:54:00 +0000

1) What is the major difference between technical writer and software tester?
I'm tempted to say a tech writer writes about software whereas a tester tests it. Essentially a software tester is checking to make sure the software works the way its supposed to before a release ships. The technical writer's job is to help people use the software - partly by explaining what you can do with the software, but most of the time by writing procedural topics that expain how to complete a specific task, so that when the user can't figure out from the user interface alone how to do something they can find out from the documentation (typically via some sort of online help).

2) What is the difference between content editor and technical editor?
I never worked anywhere that used those names. "Editor" isn't a common role in software companies. Its more like a role you'd get in publishing. I used to work for a book publisher and we had all sorts of different types of editors: I was a "desk editor" for a long time. But, just going by the names themselves, content editor suggests this role checks the content to make sure reading level is pitched appropriately, there's the right level of detail, the presentation of the information works well, the grammar is correct, it's appropriately illustrated, it's well structured and easy to find information, and so on. The technical editor, on the other hand, will be checking the technical accuracy of the information.

That's my guess anyway. Like I say, these aren't roles I'm familiar with.

By: shankar

shankar — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:35:32 +0000

1)sir ,plz tell me what is the major difference between technical writer and software tester?
2)what is the difference between content editor and technical editor?
plz reply to my mail id

a.sankar.86@gmail.com

By: Breaking Things as a Form of Creativity | I'd Rather Be Writing

Breaking Things as a Form of Creativity | I'd Rather Be Writing — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:28:00 +0000

[...] Author’s latest podcast, Testing testing 123, dives into testing. Rather than just commenting on testing from a technical writer’s point [...]

By: William Echlin

William Echlin — Wed, 26 May 2010 10:06:14 +0000

This is so true. As a tester I’ve always felt more camaraderie with my technical writer colleagues. Developers tend to bask in all the glory whist testers and writers end up feeling like they ought to be worshiping at the developers feet. I think it’s fair to say though that both tester and technical writer roles bring a significant amount to each other’s roles. Testers usually have a far better understanding than the developer of how the whole system hangs together. Hence the tester is usually a good resource for the technical writer. Likewise the technical writers I’ve known have been very good at finding bugs. And the technical writer is certainly better at writing up a good bug report than most testers. From the testers perspective though, I’d turn that last question round. I’d ask “Who’d be a technical writer?”