I like working with cool tech, but I love working with cool people. #techWriterLife
February 19, 2026 at 6:57 PM
I like working with cool tech, but I love working with cool people. #techWriterLife
"the right information in the right place at the right time" I want a tattoo of this somewhere prominent.
writing.rocks/jump-start-p...
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting
writing.rocks/jump-start-p...
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting
Yes, You Can Jump-start a Car with a Prius: A Technical-Communication Hero Story | Writing.Rocks
writing.rocks
March 13, 2025 at 10:38 PM
"the right information in the right place at the right time" I want a tattoo of this somewhere prominent.
writing.rocks/jump-start-p...
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting
writing.rocks/jump-start-p...
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting
Them: We want something light & cheap & collaborative. Let's use Google Docs!
Me: Uh, OK, as long as we keep expectations realis...
Them: Hey, we need numbered headings! And the TOC doesn't update automatically! What about our fonts?
Me: *sigh*
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
Me: Uh, OK, as long as we keep expectations realis...
Them: Hey, we need numbered headings! And the TOC doesn't update automatically! What about our fonts?
Me: *sigh*
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
December 10, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Them: We want something light & cheap & collaborative. Let's use Google Docs!
Me: Uh, OK, as long as we keep expectations realis...
Them: Hey, we need numbered headings! And the TOC doesn't update automatically! What about our fonts?
Me: *sigh*
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
Me: Uh, OK, as long as we keep expectations realis...
Them: Hey, we need numbered headings! And the TOC doesn't update automatically! What about our fonts?
Me: *sigh*
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
"[Techimabob-thingy] is powered by AI, so mistakes are possible. Review output carefully before use." Right. In decades of tech writing my experience proves folks are super careful & thorough when reviewing anything, esp. their "own" work.
#sarcasm #ai #technicalWriting #techWriterLife
#sarcasm #ai #technicalWriting #techWriterLife
July 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
"[Techimabob-thingy] is powered by AI, so mistakes are possible. Review output carefully before use." Right. In decades of tech writing my experience proves folks are super careful & thorough when reviewing anything, esp. their "own" work.
#sarcasm #ai #technicalWriting #techWriterLife
#sarcasm #ai #technicalWriting #techWriterLife
Adventures in technical writing: I just caught this typo in a draft:
"Shite+Win+S (Windows)"
Freudian slip?
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
"Shite+Win+S (Windows)"
Freudian slip?
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
December 1, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Adventures in technical writing: I just caught this typo in a draft:
"Shite+Win+S (Windows)"
Freudian slip?
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
"Shite+Win+S (Windows)"
Freudian slip?
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
I spent 3 hours "fixing" a feature that hadn't been documented sufficiently… in my own scripts. It is very well documented now.
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
August 7, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I spent 3 hours "fixing" a feature that hadn't been documented sufficiently… in my own scripts. It is very well documented now.
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
🔥🔥Buying a Piece of Shit🔥🔥
Best chapter title ever. I must find a way to work this into my user-facing docs. #techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
Best chapter title ever. I must find a way to work this into my user-facing docs. #techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
I have submitted my book manuscript! And then, of course, immediately come down with a cold. I told my classes today that if I collapsed at the lectern to just leave me there so I could get a little nap.
November 6, 2025 at 8:16 PM
🔥🔥Buying a Piece of Shit🔥🔥
Best chapter title ever. I must find a way to work this into my user-facing docs. #techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
Best chapter title ever. I must find a way to work this into my user-facing docs. #techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
My stretch goal is self-service branded doc sets in under 5 minutes. I would love to do on-demand dynamic branding, but our onboarding & usage models don't support that… yet. #techWriterLife #technicalWriting
March 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM
My stretch goal is self-service branded doc sets in under 5 minutes. I would love to do on-demand dynamic branding, but our onboarding & usage models don't support that… yet. #techWriterLife #technicalWriting
CTO: "Hey Phil, where are we with that giant doc migration that you've been working on?"
Me: "It's done."
CTO: "Let's meet with all the principals to make our users happy & our competition irrelevant."
Me: "Cool."
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
Me: "It's done."
CTO: "Let's meet with all the principals to make our users happy & our competition irrelevant."
Me: "Cool."
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
July 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
CTO: "Hey Phil, where are we with that giant doc migration that you've been working on?"
Me: "It's done."
CTO: "Let's meet with all the principals to make our users happy & our competition irrelevant."
Me: "Cool."
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
Me: "It's done."
CTO: "Let's meet with all the principals to make our users happy & our competition irrelevant."
Me: "Cool."
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
We're using AI to integrate w/ 3rd-party systems. Our devs must feed the AI complete API reference & thorough, well formatted business docs for any chance of success.
AI requires excellent documentation & devs can do it when the user is a machine. Ironic. #techWriterLife #writeTheDocs
AI requires excellent documentation & devs can do it when the user is a machine. Ironic. #techWriterLife #writeTheDocs
September 26, 2025 at 2:52 PM
We're using AI to integrate w/ 3rd-party systems. Our devs must feed the AI complete API reference & thorough, well formatted business docs for any chance of success.
AI requires excellent documentation & devs can do it when the user is a machine. Ironic. #techWriterLife #writeTheDocs
AI requires excellent documentation & devs can do it when the user is a machine. Ironic. #techWriterLife #writeTheDocs
It's been a challenging time personally & professionally. I suppose that's why, when a normally reticent coworker gushed about getting a branded doc set for a demanding customer in under 20 minutes, I cried a few tears of relief & joy. I can't help it. I love this stuff. #techWriterLife
March 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM
It's been a challenging time personally & professionally. I suppose that's why, when a normally reticent coworker gushed about getting a branded doc set for a demanding customer in under 20 minutes, I cried a few tears of relief & joy. I can't help it. I love this stuff. #techWriterLife
Happy Friday! Sometimes Past Phil is a legend. All too often, Past Phil is a bastard.
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #computerHumor
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #computerHumor
June 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Happy Friday! Sometimes Past Phil is a legend. All too often, Past Phil is a bastard.
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #computerHumor
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #computerHumor
I experimented with Android emulators last week to doc a mobile app. After a short vacation I return to find that my work deactivated Linux on Windows. Looks like I just needed to re-enable WSL 2 and Hyper-V, but damn that was a painful few minutes. #techWriterLife
July 24, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I experimented with Android emulators last week to doc a mobile app. After a short vacation I return to find that my work deactivated Linux on Windows. Looks like I just needed to re-enable WSL 2 and Hyper-V, but damn that was a painful few minutes. #techWriterLife
New video just dropped: Why Technical Writers Hate Surprises
Surprise feature drops? Surprise releases? Surprise feature cancellations after you already wrote the docs?
Yeah, I’ve got stories — and I bet you do too.
📺 youtu.be/AMBzMnR1BOk
#techcomm #technicalwriting #techwriterlife
Surprise feature drops? Surprise releases? Surprise feature cancellations after you already wrote the docs?
Yeah, I’ve got stories — and I bet you do too.
📺 youtu.be/AMBzMnR1BOk
#techcomm #technicalwriting #techwriterlife
Why Tech Writers Hate Surprises
YouTube video by Technical Writing Uncensored
youtu.be
June 5, 2025 at 3:18 PM
New video just dropped: Why Technical Writers Hate Surprises
Surprise feature drops? Surprise releases? Surprise feature cancellations after you already wrote the docs?
Yeah, I’ve got stories — and I bet you do too.
📺 youtu.be/AMBzMnR1BOk
#techcomm #technicalwriting #techwriterlife
Surprise feature drops? Surprise releases? Surprise feature cancellations after you already wrote the docs?
Yeah, I’ve got stories — and I bet you do too.
📺 youtu.be/AMBzMnR1BOk
#techcomm #technicalwriting #techwriterlife
New interview on Technical Writing Uncensored!
🎙️ I chatted with Croatian tech writer Ivana Devcic about her path from translator to cybersecurity tech writer.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRWT...
#TechComm #TechWriterLife #APIDocumentation #TWUncensored
🎙️ I chatted with Croatian tech writer Ivana Devcic about her path from translator to cybersecurity tech writer.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRWT...
#TechComm #TechWriterLife #APIDocumentation #TWUncensored
How a Translator Became a Cybersecurity Tech Writer — Ivana Devcic Interview
YouTube video by Technical Writing Uncensored
www.youtube.com
June 2, 2025 at 3:11 PM
New interview on Technical Writing Uncensored!
🎙️ I chatted with Croatian tech writer Ivana Devcic about her path from translator to cybersecurity tech writer.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRWT...
#TechComm #TechWriterLife #APIDocumentation #TWUncensored
🎙️ I chatted with Croatian tech writer Ivana Devcic about her path from translator to cybersecurity tech writer.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRWT...
#TechComm #TechWriterLife #APIDocumentation #TWUncensored
This is important. "The writers you let go were the supply chain for the intelligence you're now betting on."
"…documentation […] is not a byproduct of development: it's the glue that ties the product together."
#technicalWriting #techWriterLife #writeTheDocs
passo.uno/reconsider/
"…documentation […] is not a byproduct of development: it's the glue that ties the product together."
#technicalWriting #techWriterLife #writeTheDocs
passo.uno/reconsider/
To Those Who Fired or Didn't Hire Tech Writers Because of AI
Replacing technical writers with AI-generated docs is a mistake you can still undo. Get them back. Get them onboard.
passo.uno
January 12, 2026 at 4:40 PM
This is important. "The writers you let go were the supply chain for the intelligence you're now betting on."
"…documentation […] is not a byproduct of development: it's the glue that ties the product together."
#technicalWriting #techWriterLife #writeTheDocs
passo.uno/reconsider/
"…documentation […] is not a byproduct of development: it's the glue that ties the product together."
#technicalWriting #techWriterLife #writeTheDocs
passo.uno/reconsider/
Writing policies and procedures for clients is a pleasure, apart from one thing... #TechWriterLife #ReviewCycle #SME
April 29, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Writing policies and procedures for clients is a pleasure, apart from one thing... #TechWriterLife #ReviewCycle #SME
It's hard to be anonymous on an anonymous survey at work when you're the only member of your "team".
"What project are you most proud of contributing to in 2025."
Uh, all the stuff that the whole company associates with me because I develop, maintain, and deploy it solo? #techWriterLife
"What project are you most proud of contributing to in 2025."
Uh, all the stuff that the whole company associates with me because I develop, maintain, and deploy it solo? #techWriterLife
February 27, 2026 at 6:06 PM
It's hard to be anonymous on an anonymous survey at work when you're the only member of your "team".
"What project are you most proud of contributing to in 2025."
Uh, all the stuff that the whole company associates with me because I develop, maintain, and deploy it solo? #techWriterLife
"What project are you most proud of contributing to in 2025."
Uh, all the stuff that the whole company associates with me because I develop, maintain, and deploy it solo? #techWriterLife
VS Code on WSL2 with GitHub extension. After the 1.109 updates my environment is very wobbly. Reinstalls & restarts resolve things so far, but I've yet to go a day without an "oh shit" moment from fundamental tools. #techWriterLife #vscode #getYourShitTogetherMicrosoft
February 19, 2026 at 7:12 PM
VS Code on WSL2 with GitHub extension. After the 1.109 updates my environment is very wobbly. Reinstalls & restarts resolve things so far, but I've yet to go a day without an "oh shit" moment from fundamental tools. #techWriterLife #vscode #getYourShitTogetherMicrosoft
All-hands release preview meeting. Feedback: "Why are you wasting our time with all these minor features & fixes?"
*aggressively filters items*
Feedback from latest meeting: "This list is too short. Where are all the minor features & fixes?"
*sigh*
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting
*aggressively filters items*
Feedback from latest meeting: "This list is too short. Where are all the minor features & fixes?"
*sigh*
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting
February 4, 2026 at 5:20 PM
All-hands release preview meeting. Feedback: "Why are you wasting our time with all these minor features & fixes?"
*aggressively filters items*
Feedback from latest meeting: "This list is too short. Where are all the minor features & fixes?"
*sigh*
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting
*aggressively filters items*
Feedback from latest meeting: "This list is too short. Where are all the minor features & fixes?"
*sigh*
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting
Canceled vs. cancelled. It is small. Murder hornets are small. I write in a domain where "cancel" is a common verb & object state. Our code, APIs, & UIs are full of "cancel". Those murder hornets are constantly popping up. #technicalWriting #techWriterLife #writeTheDocs
January 7, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Canceled vs. cancelled. It is small. Murder hornets are small. I write in a domain where "cancel" is a common verb & object state. Our code, APIs, & UIs are full of "cancel". Those murder hornets are constantly popping up. #technicalWriting #techWriterLife #writeTheDocs
Working with one of my favorite developers to build an API to automate publishing our release comms to multiple channels. Is this what doc tools development feels like? Because it feels damned good. #technicalWriting #techWriterLife #writeTheDocs
August 20, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Working with one of my favorite developers to build an API to automate publishing our release comms to multiple channels. Is this what doc tools development feels like? Because it feels damned good. #technicalWriting #techWriterLife #writeTheDocs
Fun with LLMs: the feature is called "Manual Pricer". The LLM decides that "Manual Pricier" is better and uses that throughout.
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
August 12, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Fun with LLMs: the feature is called "Manual Pricer". The LLM decides that "Manual Pricier" is better and uses that throughout.
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #writeTheDocs
Added a "Release Notes" field to Jira to automate release comms. Devs & QA folks are using it a lot. This unpromoted field is seeing better adoption than anything else we've rolled out ever. Now to rename to "User Release Notes" to scare folks away & add "Engineering Release Notes". #techWriterLife
August 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Added a "Release Notes" field to Jira to automate release comms. Devs & QA folks are using it a lot. This unpromoted field is seeing better adoption than anything else we've rolled out ever. Now to rename to "User Release Notes" to scare folks away & add "Engineering Release Notes". #techWriterLife
Experimenting with LLMs to generate release notes from requirements, email threads, support tickets, & QA reports.
Gemini helpfully "inferred" a config property. It was nice enough to highlight the hallucination in a 2nd round of analysis, but still… so icky.
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #ai
Gemini helpfully "inferred" a config property. It was nice enough to highlight the hallucination in a 2nd round of analysis, but still… so icky.
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #ai
June 5, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Experimenting with LLMs to generate release notes from requirements, email threads, support tickets, & QA reports.
Gemini helpfully "inferred" a config property. It was nice enough to highlight the hallucination in a 2nd round of analysis, but still… so icky.
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #ai
Gemini helpfully "inferred" a config property. It was nice enough to highlight the hallucination in a 2nd round of analysis, but still… so icky.
#techWriterLife #technicalWriting #ai