I think what we need are some engineer biased "Cliff notes" for the popular
standards such as the IEC 1000-4-X, series (especially -6).
Seriously, there is something wrong with the process of developing
standards where minute changes are added in layer after layer. Those
involved in the process have some idea as to the where(s) and why(s) of the
standard development, however the average engineer has to read them a half
dozen times before he gets close and even then there can be major
interpretation errors. There appears to be a lack of perspective for the
reader
Regards
Chris Wells
Sr Design Eng.
Cutler-Hammer
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Original Text
From: C=US/A=INTERNET/DDA=ID/TonyOhara(a)compuserve.com, on 5/5/97 10:23
PM:
Hi Richard:
Regarding your personal preferences on User-Friendliness of standards-I
couldnt agree more!
What you are asking for applies to ALL technical writings/publications.
The first task of a technical writer (at least a good one!) should be to
analyze the user:-
Who is basically reading/using this document?
What is the users level of knowledge/experience relating to this
information?
What is the users objectives & needs in reading/using this
document!
Although most technical manuals are written by professional technical
writers, (however, many of them are poor!) I expect that no technical
standard ever is, even though the need is just as great! Maybe, by
discussing this topic on this forum we can make a difference!
I hope so!
Tony OHara
tonyoh...@compuserve.com
EMC sales & LARCTEC Publishing
Colorado
