Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Developing Quality Technical Information: A Handbook for Writers and Editors by Gretchen Hargis, Michelle Carey, Ann Kilty Hernandez, Polly Hughes, Deirdre Longo, Shannon Rouiller, Elizabeth Wilde ISBN: 0-13-147749-8 Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR Pub. Date: 01 April, 2004 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $39.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.3 (10 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Well argued, with good examples
Comment: Reading this new edition, I was quite impressed by the practical nature of its suggestions, which are reinforced by good choices of example texts that are then revised and improved, in accordance with those suggestions.
But it struck me that there is one logical subdivision of the book, which the authors may not necessarily have intended. It cleaves well into two portions. One deals with the timeless nature of writing clear, non-fiction text; totally independent of any computers. For example, it includes Part 2 of the book, entitled "Easy to understand", which spans 3 chapters, "Clarity", "Concreteness" and "Style". Even from the single word titles, you could guess that they are of this ilk.
In contrast, the other portion of the book relates more to a computer and browser oriented presentation.
Both portions are well put. But the authors and the publisher may have sold themselves short. The first portion, with minor tweaks, could be useful enough as a standalone text. But to a far broader audience than technical writers. It could be directed at the high school or undergraduate level, for a class on non-fiction writing. In my high school, we never had guidelines as cogently argued as this. I could have used it then. So perhaps could you.
Thus, the pity may be that most who might benefit from the book will never chance to encounter it.
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent reference (with a few typos)
Comment: This is a self-explanatory book for people that have to write information (mostly technical) for others: books, manuals, online info, papers, etc. It has even comments for presentations.
It includes advice when you expect international audience (for example, information in the Web), readers that are non-native speakers of English, color-blind people, etc.
It covers lists, tables, charts, colors, figures, and so on. The book works only with before-and-after examples. But it also has first-, second- and third-revision examples.
About the typos, forgive whoever did them, and take advantage of the excellent contents of the book. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 5
Summary: A year after buying it, it is still my resource of choice
Comment: What a great book! Ms. Hargis has developed a manual that provides readily-accessible and practical information regarding the technical writing process. I actually read (yes, read) this book from cover to cover. Hargis practices what she preaches, by designing a tech writing book with the actual tech writing skills she prescribes. I use this book almost as often as my dictionary and my Microsoft Manual of Style.
One of the most impressive aspects of this book is the vast amount of tech writing examples that can be incorporated into actual documentation. Instead of merely telling the writer what steps to take, Hargis actually SHOWS the writer what to do. How refreshing to read a handbook that actually illustrates tech writing techniques.
The book also provides a multitude of checklists that show the writer the logical progression of the documentation.
A definite must for your stack of books next to your computer.
 |
Title: Managing Your Documentation Projects by JoAnn T. Hackos ISBN: 0471590991 Publisher: Wiley Pub. Date: 23 March, 1994 List Price(USD): $55.00 |
 |
Title: The Handbook of Technical Writing, Seventh Edition by Gerald J. Alred, Charles T. Brusaw, Walter E. Oliu ISBN: 0312309236 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 01 February, 2003 List Price(USD): $38.95 |
 |
Title: The Non-Designer's Design Book by Robin Williams ISBN: 1566091594 Publisher: Peachpit Press Pub. Date: 15 January, 1994 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
 |
Title: Standards for Online Communication by JoAnn T. Hackos, Dawn M. Stevens ISBN: 0471156957 Publisher: Wiley Pub. Date: 07 February, 1997 List Price(USD): $54.99 |
 |
Title: Single Sourcing: Building Modular Documentation by Kurt Ament ISBN: 0815514913 Publisher: Noyes Data Corporation/Noyes Publications Pub. Date: 01 December, 2002 List Price(USD): $39.00 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
