I don't think there's anything wrong in including a sample produced with a "30-day free trial" copy of an application in your portfolio. In fact, explaining to an interviewer that you had done just that would demonstrate that you are resourceful, honest, enthusiastic and dedicated to your career. David
On 4/28/10, Thomas Johnson <tajohn...@microlinetc.com> wrote: > Dana, > > I appreciate you pointing out the importance of ethical behavior. Ethical > behavior is important and my advice crossed the line. By implying the > inclusion of random characters was something that I might choose to do, > rather than an unavoidable "feature" of a trial version, I conveyed a wrong > and misleading context. That could indeed get you into trouble. > > Here's my new advice. Buy legitimate copies of software and become a power > user, produce excellent samples and you have your "in" with prospective > employers. > > Now that I think through the issue a little more, could using those samples > as part of a portfolio--with or without random characters--be considered > unethical? Would using materials produced with trial software for a tangible > project such as a portfolio piece go beyond the purpose of the trial > software? Is using trial software to solely enhance your skills outside the > realm of fair use? Presumably, Madcap is okay with whatever work you produce > during an evaluation period as long as you buy the software after the > evaluation period because purchased copies of Madcap's software will strip > out the random characters. It's just something to think about. > > Tom Johnson > 231-944-7454 > tajohn...@microlinetc.com > > > -----Original Message----- > From: tcp-boun...@techcommpros.com [mailto:tcp-boun...@techcommpros.com] On > Behalf Of Dana Worley > Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 12:19 PM > To: tcp@techcommpros.com > Subject: Re: [TCP] Technical writing and tools > > On Wednesday, April 28, 2010, Thomas Johnson wrote: > >> An alternative would be to include a disclaimer stating that the >> random characters are included to discourage unauthorized re-use of >> your samples. I'd avoid that situation if possible. > > I agree with most of Tom's comments. Think about it, if my developers code > our applications > in C++ and I am looking for another resource, it only make sense for me to > hire a qualified > C++ programmer rather than a Delphi programmer if I can. Technical writing > tools are no > different. Become fluent in many tools, and your skills are more marketable. > > The one point of advice I disagree with is the one I've included above. From > my perspective, > such a comment would be untrue and would more than likely get you "caught > out" by any > interviewer who actually knows the tool. Failing to state the truth during > an interview or in your > portfolio is not going to win you any points with the hiring parties. > > 2 cents, > > Dana W. > > *************************** > Dana Worley > Software Product Manager/Manager, Software Support Group > Campbell Scientific, Inc. > Microsoft MVP, Windows Help > > www.jestersbaubles.etsy.com > > > ______________________________________________ > ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing > solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML > and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free > Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ > > > Interactive 3D Documentation > Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com > _______________________________________________ > > Technical Communication Professionals > > Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. > > Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: > http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com > Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com > Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to > tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com > > Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com > > Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com > -- Sent from my mobile device David Farbey - da...@farbey.co.uk Mobile 07879 005 946 Web site/Blog <http://www.farbey.co.uk> Twitter <http://twitter.com/dfarb> LinkedIn <http://www.linkedin.com/in/informationdesign> ______________________________________________ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
