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An idea struck

Mattymatt

Mattymatt

Imperfectly Perfect
I guess it is true that sometimes inspirations hit when you least expect it. On occasion I contribute changes and clarifications to the manual pages for my favorite computer operating system, OpenBSD. I was doing some in-depth edits for one of the manual pages that was clearly written by someone whom English is not their native language. I am not taking anything away from the original author because I could clearly discern his meaning but it could be unclear for someone that is new to setting up that particular piece of software. So I made it more grammatically correct and clarified things that could be confusing for a newbie. Well I just realized that I really enjoy technical documentation, and by its extension, knowledge management.

I have no formal experience in either knowledge management or technical documentation other than what I have done voluntarily. How could I parlay this into a career? I really like writing how-tos and process and procedure documentation. Does anyone else out there do technical writing for a living? If so, I would really like some ideas as to how I could launch a career in this. I even have experience setting up knowledge management systems like MediaWiki and DokuWiki.
 
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What an excellent idea, and your skills are soooo needed! I don’t know how to get into the business, just wanted to comment on how great your idea is!
 
When I went to a vocational school to learn web design I recall a woman I got to know in class. I remember that it wasn't her intent to become a web designer so much as a technical writer. Though the curriculum of web design didn't seem to overlap that of technical writing. Always puzzled me.

In any event technical writing is something you can be certified for at a vocational level. I suppose like most any vocational pursuit, it's just a matter of what it costs and how long it takes.
 
Well you are doing it with software that considers lack of documentation a major threat, but trust me there are so many areas where this is needed, but i don't know whether companies really spend effort on that. No idea how to pursue that as a career
 
Sounds awesome. Some advice is to add it to a resume/job skills list. Never know when a company may need it.
 
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