I compared two different dictionaries. One was Merriam-Webster's on-line dictionary located at http://www.m-w.com. The other was a computer technology dictionary, located at http://www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/index.html. Both gave similar definitions but the order of importance for each definition was different.
Merriam-Webster's dictionary is useful for everyday (and not everyday) word spellings and meanings, whereas Computeruser.com is for more computer-related meanings. Merriam-Webster gave the definition of bandwidth as "a range within a band of wavelengths, frequencies, or energies." Its secondary definition was "the capacity for data transfer of an electronic communications system."
Computeruser.com said that bandwidth was "The amount of data that can be sent through a network connection, measured in bits per second." Its secondary meaning was "the range of transmission frequencies a network can use, expressed as the difference between the highest and lowest frequencies of a transmission channel."
Another example is the word mouse. Merriam-Webster's fourth definition is "a small mobile manual device that controls movement of the cursor and selection of functions on a computer display." A similar definition comes up on Computeruser.com as the only definition, but in much more detail. "A pointing device that is used to move a cursor on the computer screen, and make various operations possible such as typing, drawing, editing text and graphics, opening and closing files, and giving other commands…"
Also, Computeruser.com can give the lay person definitions for all of those computer-savvy terms that are out there today, whereas Merriam-Webster cannot. An example is MP3. Computeruser.com says that a MP3 is "MP3 stands for Motion Picture Experts Group, Audio Layer 3.A popular music download format." Merriam-Webster cannot find this in their dictionary.
An editor’s responsibilities vary with the employer and type and level of editorial position held. Technical editors are possibly best known for their abilities to transform information into coherent, concise, understandable, and usable documents. An 'Editor' is a person who prepares text—typically language, but also images and sounds—for publication by correcting, condensing, or otherwise modifying it. The overall responsibility is to put information into easily understandable language.
Style manuals can be confusing. I used the APA guidelines for my Technical Writing class, but it was primarily for citing references. I wasn’t aware that style manuals provided guidance on so many issues. Is it possible to be selective in what you use from a style manual? I wonder because some seem far more demanding and restrictive than others. I’ve learned that some style manuals are focused on particular disciplines, like journalism, the sciences, and so on. How do you know which style manual to use, when not affiliated with a particular discipline? What if you’re new to a particular field, and don’t know which style manual pertains to that field? IU read the conference discussions, and everyone seemed so familiar with what’s used in their field. I felt like I have so much to learn, and I don’t think I’m even aware of what I don’t know! I need to find a style manual that deals with “government-speak.” Many of the principles laid down in style manuals don’t seem to apply when writing and editing in the government arena.
Again, I was surprised by what goes into the editing process. I’ve always thought that the writer was initially responsible for making sure a document was accurate, and that the editor was responsible for making it correct. I thought consistency would also be the writer’s responsibility, with the editor just doing a double-check. I can’t imagine that a writer would not verify his/her information during the writing process. I would certainly hate to be the editor for a writer like that! I wonder if that’s the rule rather than the exception. So, I’ll work on the assumption that, sometimes, writers make mistakes. There is so much more to copyediting than just putting marks on paper. I’m starting to see how comprehensive an editor’s job is. Making a document consistent is an integral part of that. In addition to helping a reader understand the information, consistency contributes to the credibility of not only the document, but also of the writer and the organization represented by the document.
In the legal profession it can be easy to generate documents; this is because almost all pleadings look exactly the same. On a daily basis, templates are used with a little editing; names, case numbers and jurisdictions are changed. In creating new documents, I open a general pleading template which consists of asterisks down the center of the page in the form of an upside down T. This is used to separate the case name from the jurisdiction followed by the title of the document. Once this is done, you state the purpose of the document in one paragraph followed by a numbered list of facts. The only difference is how these facts are started. The grammar in legal writing is a lot different then traditional writing because their can be a lot of run-on sentences and numbered lists with third person pronouns.
The best thing about legal documents is that they are all fact based. The only opinions offered is that of the judge which s/he does personally. In this profession, details are very important. No matter how small, all details should be included. Learning how to put useless facts into memos and pleadings can be hard for a beginner, but once you understand what is necessary, writing legal work can be rewarding.
Technical editors are obligated to users and readers of the documents they edit. Although comprehensive editors have more responsibility because of the level of editing they perform; copy editors must inform the writer if they encounter questionable terms or errors with the context of the document.
The editor must be careful to avoid misrepresentation, which can occur even if information is withheld from the reader. When a document misrepresents a product or a process, the reader can be deceived thereby unable to perform or complete a task. In some instances this can be dangerous or bring unnecessary harm to the reader.
Prior to reading the information available in the text, I strongly believed that most of the responsibility was that of the writer. However, I now understand that the role of the technical editor is complex and the profession has to also abide by its own code of ethics. This code requires that those responsible for technical documentation act legally, honestly, confidentially, fairly and professionally. It is also required that these professionals produce quality documents.
I’ve learned also that although an editor might be an expert within a certain field that they must not edit with bias unless their “expert opinion” will benefit the reader and not contaminate the accuracy of the document. For example, if the document is the insert for a particular form of medicine and I (as the editor) notice that the dosage for children might be a bit much; it would be in the best interest of the reader for me to question the writer and investigate the safest dosage. In this case, it would be unethical of me to withhold my professional opinion.
Editors should proactively work with the reader’s best interest in mind and stay committed to the Ethical Guidelines for Technical Communication.