Summary

Senior Technical Writer with over ten years of experience in the computer industry. Also worked as an Advertising and Sales Promotion Specialist (Marcom), and an editor/publisher of several newspapers and newsletters. Earned State of CA teaching certificate. Currently expanding my skills in the area of hand-coded HTML support of web site creation and maintenance, including Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and JavaScript.

Computer Skills

Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, FrontPage, and Visio, Adobe FrameMaker, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat Distiller, RoboHelp, wiki development, Dreamweaver, Paint Shop Pro, XMLSpy, Snagit, Perforce source control, TeamTrack bug tracking, and knowledge of C/C++ programming.

Experience

Motorola, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, Senior Technical Writer (Contractor), March 2008 to Present
Write and maintain documentation for QA testing of multimedia products on mobile phones. Training material supports configuration and world-wide release management of software services. The design and launch of a wike site provides a one-stop source of information resources.

Foundry Networks, Santa Clara, CA, Senior Technical Writer (Contractor), May 2007 to November 2007
Documented installation and maintenance procedures for high-performance enterprise and service provider switching and routing hardware.

ACCESS/PalmSource, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, Developer Marketing Specialist, December 2005 to March 2007
Edited and published an online developer newsletter, provided content for the developer web site, answered developer email inquiries, and represented the company at user group meetings. Assisted in the development of datasheets, FAQs, and other marketing collateral for Palm OS developers. Charter member of a cross-functional style team to create and maintain terminology and trademark guidelines corporate-wide.

Intuit, Mt. View, CA, Senior Technical Writer (Contractor), August 2005 to December 2005
As part of the QuickBooks Online Edition product development team, helped create and enhance a web-based set of solutions to help businesses manage their finances. Maintained and updated FAQs using HTML and XML for a signup wizard. Managed parts of the user interface screen text, and collaborated on the design of new screens.

Palm/PalmSource, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, Senior Technical Writer, August 2000 to June 2005
Authored and maintained technical documentation for the Palm OS platform. Topics included a hardware reference specification, glossary, web browser, email application, and end-user manual.

• Collaborated with localization groups to ensure accurate multi-language translation of user interface (UI) text strings
• Created a project for accurate terminology and usage corporate-wide, with emphasis on trademarks and branding
• Created expert guides for emergency preparedness, and caregiving of the sick and aged
• Edited and maintained online Help files for the Palm OS Desktop application
• Redesigned an internal Sales Toolkit web portal of online resources for new and experienced salespersons
• Participated in usability focus groups and UI design study

Adobe Systems, San Jose, CA, Senior Technical Writer, October 1997 to August 2000
Researched and wrote online documentation for developers of FrameMaker+SGML applicatons and Acrobat plug-ins using the software development kit (SDK). Managed all aspects of the documentation project.

Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA, Senior Technical Writer, February 1991 to October 1997
Researched and wrote end-user documentation for IBM-compatible storage systems. Prepared book plans, wrote from engineering notes, and formatted for hardcopy and online publishing. Lead writer for hardware service guide.

Hewlett-Packard, Corporate Learning Products, Palo Alto, CA, Documentation Tools Specialist, February 1989 to February 1991
Supported SGML-formatting software for desktop publishing. Taught users and provided world-wide online support by telephone and email to over 100 coordinators who represented a user base of over 700. Tested and documented software updates and the integration of graphics from products such as Corel Draw.

Hewlett-Packard, Secure Products Operation, Palo Alto, CA, Technical Writer, October 1987 to February 1989
Produced user and service manuals, data sheets, and sales training guide for the HP Tempest family of products. Included camera and darkroom work, and desktop publishing using WordPerfect, Scaning Gallery, and Publisher's Paintbrush. Produced camera-ready masters in-house, resulting in an estimated savings of more than $1,500. Taught HP Drawing Gallery in-house.

Education

• Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Howard University, Commercial Art Major
• California Community Colleges Limited Service (Teaching) Credential
• Electronics Technology and Computer Applications courses, including BASIC, Pascal, and Unix, Foothill/DeAnza Community Colleges
• Certificate of Completion of Electronic Technician Apprenticeship
• Mission College Web Pages and HTML class series (see final project here)

Other Activities

• Webmaster for Santa Clara Power Squadron, volunteers dedicated to boating safety through education
• Community Activist and frequent contributor to the EPA.net community web site
• Ten years of service in the U.S. Air Force as a commissioned officer

References available on request