- Sep 2016
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techwritingf16.robinwharton.net techwritingf16.robinwharton.netHTCQ1701.vp10
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Clark argues that, while the separation of form fromcontent is not a new concept, “no content is [truly] free of presentation” and that“[c]ontent and presentation are never separated.” Within the content managementcontext, therefore, Clark suggests understanding this separation in two ways: (a) ascontent being complete texts, and presentation being output structure, navigation,and visual style; and (b) as content being content modules, and presentation beingoutput structure, navigation, visual style, and genre definition. This separation,dictated by the nature of structured writing and single sourcing and by the techno-logical nature of content management systems, is perceived in different ways interms of its affordances by different participant groups involved in the contentmanagement process.
This is a great argument Clark raises as we advance in technical communication some believe that form should be free, however these are norms that we have not yet escaped in rhetorical literacy. There are still rules in literacy that one must follow no matter the advancements in technical communication, and we must not escape the basis as they are foundations for learning.
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No longer can writers think in terms of texts or even publications. They haveto start thinking in terms of asset management: the strict separation of form andcontent to allow for seamless repurposing of content, data mining, reduplication ofeffort control mechanisms, and writing in a collaborative environment with multi-ple authors and multiple purposes feeding off of and contributing to a conglomera-tion of assets that collectively make up a content archive.
Tech writing instructs one to learn and to make assessments collaboratively. The learn to go beyond book usage and use each other a resources.
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For a content management system to be successful, Hall (2001) argues, two im-portant factors must be emphasized: end users (documentation specialists) anduser needs.
This is a reply to demah007 as she says..."What type of information should the business include that will also help its users"
and I replied..."This too also focuses on what we have been expressing in class, as technical writing is about the audience..."it is not about you".
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To makeourselves a force to reckon with in the content management discourse, arguesAndersen, we need to raise the visibility and accessibility of our scholarship in thisarea, go beyond our focus on end users and rhetorical problems, and make strongbusiness arguments for rhetorical work so that those making critical business solu-tions will stop “view[ing] ECM as a technical solution to the sociotechnical andrhetorical challenges of empowerment, collaboration, quality, usability, and tech-nology adoption.”
I have to admit before this class I was unaware of the topic so I add that this is really good idea to note for advancing in the content managing discourse. There should be better awareness of these ideas problems , and the question is how can and what is the best way to raise these questions, and to whom is the best or the mainly targeted audience that we must get through to, and etc
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Nevertheless, the authors see promising implications ofcontent management for technical communication: how workplace writing re-search may help transform organizational cultures and how technical communica-tors are in a capacity to provide expertise and critical services in helping smallbusinesses and nonprofit organizations in their transition to a new infrastructure.
This argument is good for the new age, as we need better ways to reach and relate to businesses to help them prosper and grow. Through technical communication individuals will find the best and most effective way to inform and involve audiences of business, organizations, and medias. With constant change of communication, which is mandatory for rhetorical literacy, businesses will advance and continue to grow through engagement. One cannot strive without the other, furthermore embracing interconnectivity in the technical communication world.
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In addition, as far as we know, books on content manage-ment systems have almost exclusively approached the topic from the practical per-spective. In other words, they teach you how to design and/or use such systemswithout critical examinations of why such systems should be used in the first placeand why they succeed or fail. Nor do they consider what effect working in such en-vironments has on writing as a practice.
This is important because it details the how and why, which most people within the field seem to neglect such common questions and research. With these questions at hand gives raise to improvements in technical communication. People will begin to further asses ideas and structures for learning and teaching for technical communication.
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The most important part ofthis whole puzzle—the end user, i.e., technical communicator—is often left out ofthe process. The very expressioncontent managementexcludes any idea of writingor communicating and focuses on information independently of the people whoproduce or consume it.
The expert is the expert, however even he/she must look for answers and responses beyond themselves.The person who is reading the message is always most important, but most of the time left out on the idea. We are taught in class that audience is key and that it is not about you, but so much deeper and profound is where you have to dig.
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The effect of writing in these electronic environments hasbeen profound for technical communicators. Rather than thinking of the end productof their work as tangible products or even documents, they are beginning to see theirefforts as part of an endless flow of information.
This whole idea is key as the electronic world grows, our avenues in communication are endless as we find better ways of communication and expressing our ideas. Others get opportunities to add their own twists, or to even add comment, creating great debate and ongoing growth in technical communication awareness.
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A content management system, then, is any systematic method designed to organizeand distribute information, while content management system software automatesthe system, typically providing “a platform for managing the creation, review, filing,updating, distribution, and storage of structured and unstructured content”
This is important because throughout readings we establish tools to help content management. A platform is always best, when analyzing the platform one must consider the best possible outputs, through application and practice, and as the New London Group brings up the "idea of re-practice", in "A Pedagogy of Multiliteracies: Designing Social Futures".
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Wehope, with the assembly of this special issue, not so much to offer definitive an-swers on these issues as to open up discussions for a better understanding of thephenomenon and its implications for technical communication.
This was a very good concluding sentence as it outlined the whole objective for the article, and the class. The topic of endless conversation, and open dialogue is key in technical communication. Although questions were answered , the article was a lead for discussion of problems that arise in technical communication world.
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