This Great Documents Technical Writing blog always tries to bring you, the reader, the latest and greatest about writing, the web in general, and software.

Since Technical Writers are actively involved with the documentation of all kinds of computer software programs, it is important to bring into the light the very heart of concepts like these and discuss them.

However, from time to time, I also establish new friendships on the Internet, and sometimes cross paths with highly intelligent individuals who I am proud to present to you through this blog. So, it is always my pleasure to introduce you to individuals who are doing something amazing on the Internet.

I would like to tell you all about a great web-friend of mine, Rich Robinson, a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) and the webmaster of the site called Minty White. Rich has dedicated amazing amounts of time to creating Windows Guides to help you with your experience with Microsoft Windows in different ways at this website.

Most recently, and my guess is that this latest project has lasted probably the last six months at least, Rich has put together three insightful, well-written, and user-friendly Windows-related ebooks that you can download from his site (for free). They are as follows:

1. The PC Security Handbook

2. The PC Maintenance Handbook

3. Windows 7 Pocket Guide

The first ebook, The PC Security Handbook, addressed the security of your computer and provides tools and ideas about how you can stay safe as you take on the Internet and lurking malware. I myself have downloaded one of the tools mentioned in this book and immediately got my computer cleaned up from that warning.

The second ebook, The PC Maintenance Handbook, also addresses the overall performance of your computer and provides you with tips on usability and things of that nature. Again, a great read.

However, the grande finale, if you will in this list, is Rich’s tremendous book about Windows 7, called the Windows 7 Pocket Guide. This is a complete guide of more than three-hundred (300) pages that will not only introduce you to Windows 7, but will also take you through the steps of installation and how to optimize its use, in other words, discover many of its newbies and put them to work for you. The ebook also includes a nice section on how to optimize your experience with the latest Internet Explorer browser, IE8, which has some nice improvements of its predecessor, IE7.

I participated briefly in Rich’s project of translating Chapter 4 of the Windows 7 Pocket Guide into Portuguese, as I lived in Brazil for five years back in the 1990s and so thought that was a way I could contribute to this fine ebook and its dissemination from an international perspective. Rich is also doing his best to translate the Windows 7 Pocket Guide into languages from around the world to help the user community get ready for when Microsoft finally released Windows 7 to the world as a full release, above and beyond the RC (Release Candidate) versions we are seeing right now. I personally expect Microsoft to meet its expected deadline of October, 2009 for the release of the Windows 7 Operating System.

Thanks, Rich, for providing the Internet-community with valuable information not only about the upcoming Windows 7 Operating System from Microsoft, but also information about taking good care of one’s computer, from both the maintenance and security angles. You are an inspiration to me and my career as a Technical Writer! Keep up the great work! Oh, and by the way, Rich also has a website where you can discuss Microsoft Windows through the use of forums and groups, called My Windows PC.

It is my belief that Rich Robinson might rise to become one of the leading, if not THE leading, MVP on the web regarding the specific areas that he has mastered: the Microsoft Windows Operating System and overall general personal computer care, operations, maintenance, and security.

All The Best,

Keith

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