Documenting open systems

The author discusses issues of importance to documenters of open systems in the computer industry. These systems provide a common software environment for users and application programs, and are based on nonproprietary technology and industry, national, and international standards. The experience of the Technical Documentation Group at the Open Software Foundation (OSF) is considered as an example. OSF is an international organization that solicits technology through an open process called the request for technology (RFT). OSF supplies to the developers of open systems-based products technologies acquired through the RFT process. The author focuses on such topics as audience definition, documentation set planning, document interchange and tools, internationalization, and writer training and motivation.<>