For the civically-mind technical writer, there’s a growing movement in cities across the world where technical writers can use their skills to better their community. It’s called
Open Data Day: an annual celebration of open data groups around the world partnering with local governments to use open data to achieve a shared goal in the community.
From analyzing environment data to tracking public money flows, open data day gives citizens—from data folk to advocates—an opportunity to get the data they need to take action in their communities.
As a tech writer, you may not initially see how your skills fit into open data. However, as you’ll learn in this episode, success open data day’s need compelling narratives to complement outcomes, tutorials to teach people how to access the data for their own uses, and much more—all areas in which the tech writer succeeds.
That’s why, in this episode, I have Jesse Hamner and two-time guest on the podcast—longtime open data advocates who’ve seen first-hand the value of the tech writer.
In this episode, Jesse and Kyle help us understand the value of open data and how the civically-minded technical writer can get plugged into this exciting movement.
Show notes:
What is The Not-Boring Tech Writer?
Some people hear the phrase "technical writing" and think it must be boring. We're here to show the full complexity and awesomeness of being a tech writer.
This podcast is for anyone who writes technical documentation of any kind, including those who may not feel comfortable calling themselves tech writers. Whether you create product documentation, support documentation, READMEs, or any other technical content—and whether you deal with imposter syndrome, lack formal training, or find yourself somewhere in the gray area between technical communications and general writing—there's a place for you here.
Each month, we publish two episodes: an interview with an amazing guest focusing on useful skills or tools that can help you improve your tech writing skills, and a behind-the-scenes solo episode with host Kate Mueller about what she’s working on, struggling with, or thinking about in her daily tech writing life.
The Not-Boring Tech Writer is generously sponsored by KnowledgeOwl, knowledge base software built for people who care, by people who care.