To provide engineering documentation, technical communications and marketing support for a software/firmware development project.

For the past 26 years I have been involved in a variety of software/hardware projects - design, development and support. I work directly as part of the development team to help create detailed, accurate specifications and to ensure that those specifications meet the marketing requirements. If required, I also provide end user manuals and online help. In addition, I can provide marketing support in the way of brochures, news letters, white papers and web site design and content. I am a self-starter and require very little direct supervision to meet my deadlines. 

I am familiar with many word processors, desktop publishing systems and text formatting and markup languages including HTML.  I have developed documentation directly from code written in C, C++, Visual Basic, PASCAL, IBM BAL and 8088/86 Assembler.

I am experienced with many word processors, desktop publishing systems, text formatting and markup languages and graphics packages including, but not limited to; MS-Word, FrameMaker, TROF, GML, FrontPage, Dreamweaver, CorelDraw, Visio, PhotoShop, RoboHelp, HelpBreeze, JavaHelp and HTML Help Workshop. I also edit HTML and other markup languages directly using an ACSII editor. This helps to ensure the final product is exactly what my clients want regardless of which browser is used to view the pages. I have developed documentation directly from code written in Java, C, C++, Visual Basic, PASCAL, IBM BAL and 8088/86 Assembler..

6/1993–present           Independent Consultant     Boulder, CO

Consulting Writer

• At Alignment Software, Inc. (formerly NPULSE), I documentated the user interface and engineering requirements for a java application that diagnoses and manages distributed applications, transactions and J2EE components. I worked directly with the Architect/Chief Scientist on user interface design/evaluation and created all of the online help and tutorial documents in addition to the engineering specifications. I also contributed to the web site content and assisted with testing the product.

• Created a 1394 CD-ROM firmware porting guide using the demo code (written in C) as my primary source.  The firmware is specific to the LSI SYM13FW301 1394 Decoder.  Also worked with the system architect to prepare the firmware requirements for a 1394 host adapter chip for SEI Corp.

• Created all of the materials for an introductory class in Project Management for QuantumPM.  There was considerable work developing examples in MS Project 2000 and associated lab exercises, plus PowerPoint presentations and both the student and instructor guides.  I had to learn Project 2000 inside and out in addition to Project Management Theory to complete the class materials.

• Developed User's Guides for Checkpoint Systems' Printshop Management System software (PMS). This software manages printing of merchandise tickets for multiple customers at a central printshop location. Operators access the system using a menu based Windows™ interface.

• Worked with the development team to create design documentation for The StorageTek Phoenix Virtual Tape system.  This system allows several Unix and/or NT systems to share a single tape library with no software or hardware changes required on the client systems.

• As a consultant I continued to provide marketing support and technical documentation for several projects at Phoenix Technologies LTD, San Jose CA.  These included PCMCIA, Power Management (APM, ACPI and Phoenix applications), system BIOS, keyboard controllers, PCI and Plug and Play.
  
  I created and maintained a proprietary Web site for the Phoenix ACPI BIOS development program partners.  Tools and engineering documents were made available for download at the site to members of the program.  ACPI and BIOS news update, an ACPI FAQ and technical articles were also available.  The news focused on errors/changes in the ACPI specification, Windows 98 development and Phoenix ACPI BIOS and embedded controller alpha code.  I was responsible for producing the content as well as maintaining the site.  I also provided primary technical writing support for the ACPI development engineering and marketing teams.

• Documented processes and procedures for ManagedStorage International.  Worked with the engineers and field personnel to identify, define and document procedures.  These were presented using both diagrams and text.  The primary diagram type used was the cross-functional flow chart.  I also provided primary technical documentation for software/hardware setup and installation procedures.

• Created end user manuals and Windows help files for a wide range of products including: an ACPI code generation program, an editorial content application and operations interface, a virtual video effects/audio mixer console and QuantumPM's Schedule Auditor add-on for MS-Project.  All of these manuals and help files are also available as  HTML documents.

• Technical documentation at Probita Inc., Boulder, CO.  Worked with System Analysts to write a proposal for Bell Canada's entry into Cable TV.  This was a detailed analysis of what it takes to implement a digital cable TV system, including headend download, librarian functions, digitization and broadcast schedule synchronization. 
  
  I also documented an asynchronous protocol for cable television billing and program subscriptions services and various pieces of the proposed digicable online guide database and uplink protocol.    Provided complete documentation of the Oracle database including diagrams and sample SQL.

• Developed a prototype demo of an agent desktop in Visual Basic for LifeCycle Systems, Belmont, CA.  Also worked with the system architect to document a voice over data remote control link for use over an Internet connection using standard modem hardware and produced a preliminary design specification for multi-cast protocol on the Internet.

• Converted and updated the SDK documentation  SmartTechnology Enabler's SmartDMI.  My source was the original Intel documentation plus input from Enabler's engineering team.

2/1988–4/90 & 9/90–6/93      Phoenix Technologies, LTD    San Jose, CA

Consulting Technical Writer

• Responsible for engineering documentation (design specs and theory of operations) and external functional specifications for a variety of firmware projects, including system BIOS, video BIOS, keyboard controllers and power management.

• Created user documents and on-line help for Phoenix power management applications.

• Produced data sheets, product proposals, news letters, customer questionnaires, requirements statements and customer news bulletins for marketing.

• Worked with the hardware group to develop functional specifications for Micro Channel and Standard AT compatible designs based on a variety of chipsets.

4/1990–9/90                Seagate Technology     Scotts Valley,  CA

Senior Advisory Engineer

• Worked with hardware and software engineers on the ATA and SCSI interface specifications for peripheral devices.

• Produced the ST21/22 Controller Product Manual.

4/1984–2/88                Western Digital Corporation (previously ViaNetix)    Boulder, CO

Associate Software Engineer

• Responsible for all of the engineering specifications for a large DOS based network.

• Designed key portions of the ViaNet user interface.

• Developed procedures for internal and external documentation and software distribution.

• Wrote portions of the sample C code included in the Application Designer's Reference for the DOS and UNIX network programs.

8/1977–4/84                Storage Technology     Louisville, CO

Senior Technical Writer

• Responsible for development, marketing and end user documentation for a variety of projects including the Virtual Storage Subsystem (VSS, implemented as an MVS subsystem), Optical Disk device and 8650 Disk drives.

• Created a set of Waterloo Script macros and an interface to a Xerox 9700 printer to help standardize the print format for STC publications

• I came up through the ranks at Storage Technology, beginning as a Computer Operator for Engineering (IBM 370 145 and 3031 running VS1, MVS and VM).  I moved to a technical writing position after three years in the computer room (best education I've ever had).

5/1970–7/77                Various

• Patent Operations Assistant - 5/1976–7/77 IBM, Boulder, CO.  General legal secretarial work plus patent search for chemical processes relevant to the Xerox suit.

• Reporter - 9/1975–2/76 New Brunswick Spokesman, New Brunswick, NJ.  Public affairs reporter for small weekly.  Also, typesetting, past-up and layout and some ad makeup.

• Substitute Teacher - 1972–75 (intermittent) New Brunswick School System, New Brunswick, NJ.

• Scientific Aid - 5/1970–9/70, 5/71–12/71 and 5/72–12/72 USAEC, New Brunswick, NJ.  Glove box work with plutonium and uranium.  Prepared samples for isotopic analysis by mass spectrograph.  Prepared uranium standards from black oxide and other general lab work.

University of Colorado     Boulder, CO

• B.S. Journalism May 1975.

• Graduate work as staff writer for the CU Working Press, 1978

• Continue to take advantage of technical seminars and classes to keep my skills fresh.

Live music of all kinds (from rock & roll to opera and other classical), river rafting, snorkeling, my pets (especially dog agility), computers and the Internet.