TY - JOUR
T1 - Technical communication in cyberspace
T2 - Report of a qualitative study
AU - Silker, Christine M.
AU - Gurak, Laura J
PY - 1996/12/1
Y1 - 1996/12/1
N2 - Technical communication is changing due to the prominence of the Internet and related technologies. This article reports the results of a qualitative study of how technical communicators are using the Internet. The study was conducted using surveys, phone interviews, and focus groups. Respondents indicated that the Internet plays a significant role in the work practices of technical communicators. On the positive side, communicators find the Internet helpful for contacting customers, obtaining updated technical information, and publishing online documentation. On the negative side, communicators encounter company resistance and are frustrated with issues of company security and the lack of order for accessing Internet information. These features present new opportunities and challenges for the profession, including issues of training, interface design, working within other departments, and entirely new job titles and positions.
AB - Technical communication is changing due to the prominence of the Internet and related technologies. This article reports the results of a qualitative study of how technical communicators are using the Internet. The study was conducted using surveys, phone interviews, and focus groups. Respondents indicated that the Internet plays a significant role in the work practices of technical communicators. On the positive side, communicators find the Internet helpful for contacting customers, obtaining updated technical information, and publishing online documentation. On the negative side, communicators encounter company resistance and are frustrated with issues of company security and the lack of order for accessing Internet information. These features present new opportunities and challenges for the profession, including issues of training, interface design, working within other departments, and entirely new job titles and positions.
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M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:24944545788
SN - 0049-3155
VL - 43
SP - 357
EP - 368
JO - Technical Communication
JF - Technical Communication
IS - 4
ER -