GNU Essentials: Free and Open Source Technical Writing
What you'll learn
- By the completion of the course, you will be able to list GNU Linux technical documentation best practices.
- By the end of the course, you will be able to work with webOps and communications teams.
- By the completion of the course, you will understand the roles and responsibilities of a technical writer.
- By the completion of the course, you will be able to write user instructions, validate and run a demo.
- By the end of the course, you will be familiar with software and tools used by GNU Linux technical writers.
Requirements
- The student will need a text editor or ide.
- Basic understanding of GNU Linux is required.
- GNU Linux Operating System is recommended during training.
Description
The course, GNU Essentials: Free and Open Source Technical Writing is for students interested in technical writing with a focus on GNU Linux content.
Lectures and course documents include items such as audience analysis sheet, scripts for efficient screen capture, instructional documentation creation guidelines, style guide template, and short how to documents. This course will take approximately 3-5 hours to complete.
This course is useful for anyone working as a technical writer without "official" training or coursework towards the completion of a degree in the field. This training can be useful for technical writers without degrees or someone looking for a refresher regarding current workplace standards for technical writing focused on GNU Linux .
GNU Linux tools for technical content creation are explored. The GNU Linux Manual of Style is included free of charge with this course. This reference includes information about document driven development, the documentation lifecycle and other templates to use on the job.
A department may promote help desk personnel to technical writing status. This person may not be familiar with what the standards and requirements are. A student may be interested in becoming a technical writer. This course offers guidance specifically for technical communicators working on GNU Linux projects to improve the experience for the end users and developers. Upon successful completion, the student completes samples and is given a certificate of completion.
Who this course is for:
- Students interested in working as a GNU Linux technical writer
- GNU Linux developers interested in technical communications strategies, workflows and best practices
- Students interested in current workplace trends and standards of technical writing
- WebOps staff with a need to understand GNU Linux best practices
Instructor
- 4.0 Instructor Rating
- 2 Reviews
- 15 Students
- 2 Courses
FAQ Linux is a resource for GNU Linux users and developers since 2000. Our experience includes over 20 years technical writing and over 20 years in development. Writers have degrees include an AAS in computer science, a BS in Multimedia Writing and Technical communication with a MS in Technology from Arizona State University.
One undergraduate degree was completed using only free software.
Some of our staff has had clients such as: Pearson Digital Learning, Evans Newton, Aries Technology, Intel, Wiley Publishing, Aetna, Tibco, SuperShuttle/Veolia, and Microchip Technology. We have exprienced writers who have worked in QA and Usability Testing capacities as well as consulting on GNU Linux.
In 2002, our founder started working as an intern and advisory committee member at the Free Software Foundation (the GNU in GNU Linux). I wrote the DMCA blog FAQs for the Electronic Frontier Foundation in 2003.
One writer, Marcia Wilbur is the sole writer of Linux Essentials, published in 2004 in cooperation with Comptia, and distributed to universities worldwide.
After completion of a M.S. in Technology from Arizona State, the founder started teaching and working as faculty at University of Phoenix, teaching online courses with topics such as Time management, study skills, goal setting, communications and writing for the IT professional.
We have presented information about copyright, GNU tools, GNU Linux applications and Developer Experience (including accessibility) to various groups including conference attendees in New York City's Last Hope, FOSDEM, and Linuxfest Northwest.
Other experience includes Moodle/Totara LMS implementation and administration. We travel to different organizations/corps to perform migrations and integrations.
Additionally, we have a content creator who is US DOE certified in FERPA.
Aside from technical writing, we have written books and articles about non fiction topics related to education such as "A Decade of the DMCA".
Marcia Wilbur, our founder, is also the lead Debian developer of Libre Respin -- a distro customization utility and backup tool.