Glenn, Okay, then, do you have a particular area of interest? I find that often the most difficult part is to decide what the questions are that the user guide should answer. We use a task-oriented approach, not a function-oriented approach, and we don't attempt to cover everything (eg no need to explain the obvious; other docs, aimed at total beginners, can do that). Once I have the questions, I can figure out what to do... though I don't always figure out the best way to do it! Thus, I'm good at writing about how to use many of the more obscure parts of Writer, but not so good at writing about anything in Calc -- I don't use spreadsheets, so I don't know what the questions are.
Sorry for running on a bit. Back to the question: what would you be interested in writing about? And would you prefer to work on the user guide or some how-to's, or ?? Preferred level of audience: beginner, intermediate, advanced, specialist? I'm compiling a list of advanced features of Writer that are of particular interest to technical writers, with the view to producing a document aimed specifically at that audience, to supplement the standard one-size-fits-all Writer Guide. Other audiences might be well served by targetted documents as well. I have done a start at these lists here: http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Documentation/Dashboard/Tutorials It's very rudimentary, and I haven't put the techwriter items there yet. I hope to expand this page (and its linked pages) in June, when I'm home for awhile from my travels. Feel free to add ideas! --Jean On Wed, 2010-05-19 at 17:18 +0800, glenn.abarquez wrote: > Hi Jean, > > Thanks for the welcome. > > My skills in office applications lacks improvement. I would say I always > figure out what I need to achieve when using these applications. > > Glenn > > On Wed, May 19, 2010 at 3:07 PM, Jean Hollis Weber <[email protected]>wrote: > > > glenn.abarquez wrote: > > > My name is Glenn Abarquez. I am an IT Sales Engineer professional here in > > > Singapore. > > > > > > Recently, I was tasked to write a user and admin guide for a new product. > > I > > > took the challenge since I have the experience but it was ages ago. > > > > > > I like doing it and am looking forward to do more. > > > > > > I don't know how and where to start. I appreciate if somebody can show > > me. > > > > Glenn, welcome to OOoAuthors! You've done the first steps of joining the > > mailing list and getting an account on our website. I've now given you > > the Author role, so you can get to drafts and other non-public files. > > > > The first page of the English section of the website has some info on > > getting started, and links to more details. The Review List (items that > > have been submitted for review, editing, indexing) is toward the bottom > > of the left-hand navigation bar. > > > > Most people start by reviewing a chapter, but that is not required. You > > can jump right into writing if you wish. It would help if you give us a > > bit more info about your knowledge level regarding OOo and/or > > spreadsheets, databases, presentations in any office suite. How about > > the use of advanced features in a word processor, such as conditional > > text, master documents, linking of files (text, graphics, spreadsheets, > > video, audio)? > > > > --Jean --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
