Writing Software Documentation: A Task-Oriented Approach (Part of the Allyn & Bacon Series in Technical Communication), Second Edition

Rating:
Summary: Great in-depth book for the new Tech Writer
Review: I got this book through an online cetification class for writing user manuals and reference guides. I never would have found this book had it not been for that class. This book is great in that it takes you through the 7 steps of documentation. I'd recommend this book for those getting started in the technical writing field and those who are senior members. The author also chunks the information in a way that is easily understandable. Great book!

Rating:
Summary: This book needs an editor
Review: I was required to read this book for a technical writing class. I was amazed that a book that boasts it can teach technical documentation could have so many glaring errors in grammar and spelling. (Maybe that's why so many people don't read manuals.)
While the book does well as a step-by-step approach, most of the information is in other books. I would not recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Well-organized, clear, and to the point
Review: This is *the* book a new technical writer should read. Barker really knows his stuff--and he presents it in truly usable form. I especially liked his 3-category approach: writing to teach (for eager learners), to guide (for reluctant users of the product), or to provide a reference (for experts who need only occasional support).