[comp.edu] Call for discussion: SCI.TECH-COMM

jtchew@csa1.lbl.gov (JOSEPH T CHEW) (03/08/91)

This is the first call for discussion, prior to a formal Call
for Votes, for SCI.TECH.COMM.  Followups are directed solely
to news.groups (the newsgroup about newsgroups).

Strawman Charter
-----------------
SCI.TECH-COMM is a venue for scholarly and applied discussion
of all aspects of technical communication.  For this purpose,
technical communication is broadly defined.  Our definition
centers on the use of the printed or spoken word to inform,
instruct, or request action in any area of science,
engineering, or technology.  However, many other fields are
closely allied to technical communication, including:

*  User interface design and human factors.
*  Technical marketing communication.
*  Linguistics.
*  Communicative aspects of cognitive psychology.
*  Management science.
*  Technology applications, including both tools and venues
   (hypermedia, multimedia, data networks, etc.).
*  Science and technology journalism.

SCI.TECH-COMM also welcomes those who seek advice about
specific problems in technical communication, as well as
questions about academic programs and related opportunities
for skills development.


Why a New Group/Why a Sci. Group
--------------------------------
Some recent traffic on news.groups indicates an interest in
technical communication.  There appear to be no existing
groups that are even a moderately good fit for this subject
matter.

Comp.text and comp.editors discuss writer's tools but,
apparently, no other aspects of technical communication.
Alt.prose and the corresponding discussion group alt.prose.d
appear to be almost entirely devoted to fiction. Several
other likely-sounding groups proved to be blind alleys;
for example, alt.books.technical is for people searching for
books, and comp.documents is a bibliographic group.

The range of interest is diverse.  One of the major areas of
professional activity in technical communication is, of
course, the computer industry, where related activities
include documentation (both paper and online), training, and
user-interface design. The aerospace industry is another user
of, and influence in, this field.  However, technical
communication is of interest in any science or engineering
discipline.

Technical communication has also become an active scholarly
pursuit, with the primary growth occurring in the last
decade.  Programs through the PhD are available in the US and
elsewhere.  Active areas of scholarly investigation include
the rhetorical nature of technical communication; measures of
effectiveness of media, rhetorical devices, and strategies;
and various aspects of international/intercultural
communication.

Interest in the field supports three major scholarly journals
(Technical Communication, the IEEE Transactions on
Professional Communication, and the Journal of Technical
Writing and Communication) and at least three professional
societies (the IEEE Professional Communication Society, the
Society for Technical Communication, and the Association of
Computing Machinery's SIGDOC).

While it is arguable whether technical communication can be
regarded as a single, cohesive "science," it is inarguable
that scholarship in the field interacts with and benefits
from a number of sciences, most notably psychology and
linguistics.  It is also inarguable that a great deal of the
professional activity is done by or for scientific and
engineering organizations.

It appears that placing the proposed group in the "sci"
hierarchy would, at once, best reflect the intellectual
status of the discipline, best guide the desired content of
the group's traffic, and best reach the desired audience.


Moderated or Unmoderated?
-------------------------
I propose setting up SCI.TECH-COMM as an unmoderated
newsgroup.  The field does not attract great public
commentary. The tone and content of postings should serve to
encourage a scholarly and helpful atmosphere without a
moderator.


Where to Go from Here
--------------------
Followup discussion is directed toward news.groups.  I would
also welcome E-mail (JTCHEW@lbl.gov). I have the action item
of monitoring and recording the discussion.  If there appears
to be sufficient interest, I will put out a call for votes,
according to the standard Usenet procedures.

My plans for development of the group, should it be formed,
include publicizing the group to a wide variety of personal
and professional contacts in the academic and industrial
technical-writing communities.

Feel free to pass this discussion along, in soft or hard
copy, to other current and potential network users who have
an interest in this subject.

In conclusion, it seems that SCI.TECH-COMM could be both a
valuable asset to the Usenet community and a useful venue
for advancing the art and science of technical communication.
Shall we discuss it further?

--Joe
JTCHEW@lbl.gov