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You have probably heard the term, and from
context you have figured out it is some kind of technical
document. But what exactly is a white paper?
A white paper is any document or
publication that offers an authoritative look at a single
subject. While white papers are intended to be informational and
usually describe technology, a product or engineering
architecture, scientific innovation, or the results of research,
they also have a marketing purpose. Most often, white papers are
issued by companies, organizations or government agencies, and
they may be used to draw attention to the issuing group. White
papers are usually free and can be an incredibly valuable source
of information.
The term white paper is also used to
describe government papers, usually on a single policy or about
an act of legislation.
Tip: Keep in mind that a white paper may
be biased toward the organization that issued it.
Other resources: For good information on
the history of the term white paper and some tips on getting
started if you need to write your own, check out this
article on white papers.
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