Performed all documentation tasks--including writing, editing, template design and maintenance, verification, style guide updates, and some graphic design--for the Linksys brand
Coordinated with Technical Support, Marketing, Legal, Regulatory, and Project Management groups
Created Web-ready and press-ready deliverables using InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, and Word
Completed DTP for 28-language documents
Installed, tested, and documented home networking devices such as cable and DSL routers, range extenders, network bridges, switches, USB wireless adapters, and Powerline adapters
Researched and documented PayPal products and features
Developed e-mail template content for website features such as accounts (adding, closing, and maintaining), funds (sourcing, withdrawing, converting currency), refunds, account maintenance, and error troubleshooting
Reduced number of articles in my assigned topics by 65%, which reduced localization cost and simplified knowledge base maintenance
Helped develop a new Simple English style guide
Submitted terms and suggested usage guidelines to PayPal's "Lingo" glossary reference tool
Collaborated with project management, product integration, copyedit, and global content groups
Created a simplified intranet web page for our contracting group's most commonly used links
Dana Innovations (Sonance, iPort, Trufig) - San Clemente, California
Wrote, edited, and created artwork for technical and marketing materials including brochures, catalogs, installation guides, user manuals, and tech notes
Performed heuristic evaluation of iPort FS-23 graphical interface
Researched, wrote, designed, and edited technical and marketing materials including brochures, installation guides, owner manuals, labeling, presentation slides, and graphics
Created and updated collateral documentation materials such as fax cover sheets, work orders, and maintenance records
Self-trained on HVAC principles by using online and print instructional materials
Trained co-workers on Word, Excel, and digital camera use
Wrote, edited, and designed documentation deliverables (such as manuals and quick start guides) for clients such as Best Buy, Briggs & Stratton, Toshiba, Hurco, and PayPal
Created and maintained style guides for clients
Acted as D2's chief editor for a PayPal e-mail project, coordinating 10 writers, training an editor, tracking and reporting project status, and developing style standards
Performed heuristic evaluations of computer and consumer electronic hardware, compiled reports of issues and recommendations
Performed heuristic and editorial evaluations of home electronics packaging and product support materials
Led discussions, gave lectures, tutored individually, created PowerPoint presentations, assignments, quizzes, and tests; graded assignments and tests
Principal Information Developer/Program Manager III, July 1998-September 2008 Gateway/Acer, North Sioux City, South Dakota
Acted as team lead for several product platforms (laptops, handhelds, software, servers, desktops, monitors)
Wrote, edited, revised, and indexed entire product documentation packages, which included user guides, maintenance guides, service guides, setup posters, system labels, CD labels, specification sheets, and tech notes, in both online and print media
Managed the largest single documentation project in Gateway's history, for the most complex and expensive Gateway product (blade server), at one point comprising 23 deliverables, over 1,700 pages, and involving six writers and five graphic designers
Wrote, edited, and revised over 250 documentation deliverables, all on or ahead of schedule
Proposed and evaluated new software tools to increase writer productivity and efficiency
Designed documentation templates for new Gateway branding, maintained templates while tracking bug fixes, font changes, and revision histories
Wrote to a variety of audiences, from novice end users to experienced system administrators and service technicians
Served on the style committee and acted as backup editor to help maintain consistent styles
Collaborated with Engineering, Human Factors, Support, Testing, and Marketing to improve product offerings and help keep releases on schedule
Programmed and distributed macros and macro keyboard templates for writers
Received several awards in STC regional competitions
Applied usability principles to improve products and documentation
Received consistently high ratings in performance reviews
Contributed key design and functionality elements to one of the largest interface design projects in company history
Evaluated and demonstrated rapid prototyping apps and provided recommendations
Submitted over 100 inventions to Gateway's Intellectual Properties program, resulting in one patent pending, five patents granted, and improved Gateway product designs. Awarded Gateway Inventor of the Year 2001 and Inventor of the Month July 1999 and June 2000.
Customer Experience Architect, October 2004-October 2006 Documents and Design, Inc., North Sioux City, South Dakota
Created and updated documentation templates in FrameMaker, InDesign, and Word for companies such as Gateway/eMachines, Briggs & Stratton, and Best Buy store brands
Wrote, edited, and revised user guides, posters, and reports for multiple clients, all on or ahead of schedule
Created and updated style guides for brands such as Best Buy (Insignia, Rocketfish, Geek Squad, Dynex, Init) and Briggs & Stratton
Advised employees on template design, writing, and editing, and trained on FrameMaker
Created internal style and process help reference tool for writers and editors
Proposed and implemented design for online presentation of PDF deliverables
Proposed and helped implement a work estimate and job approval process for clients
Helped create company-wide editorial policy
Helped plan and implement a part number and file archiving plan for project files
Proposed usability test participant database
Performed heuristic usability tests for products and related documentation
Maintained full-time work schedule with Gateway as contract technical writer
Wrote, edited, and revised computer telephony manuals, guides, pamphlets, and README's
Proposed and implemented Adobe Acrobat online documentation plan
Created Windows Help files for software, and trained other writers on RoboHelp
Created graphical interface elements (buttons, icons, indicators) and performed usability tests (using multiple subjects) for the company's flagship end user product, ViewPoint
Created most company artwork, from network diagrams and clip art to book covers, logos, and board meeting presentation graphics
Created Flash-like ads for PointCast Intranet
Collaborated with Engineering, Technical Support, Testing, Sales, and Marketing departments
Converted all translated user manuals to context-sensitive Winhelp files
Acted as print service bureau contact with print vendors, transferring files to vendors and tracking a project's progress throughout production
Designed and edited monthly newsletter for product resellers
Received consistently high ratings in performance reviews
Created graphical interface elements (buttons, icons, indicators) and performed usability tests (using multiple subjects) for the company’s flagship end user product, ViewPoint
View the worst paragraph I edited while at CallWare
Copyeditor/Proofreader, October 1993-September 1994 WordPerfect Corporation/Novell, Inc., Orem, Utah
Copyedited WordPerfect Corporation documentation, reference cards, covers, keyboard templates, labels, and business cards
Wrote several printed documentation projects
Edited Customer Support correspondence
Customer Support Technician, February 1993-October 1993 WordPerfect Corporation, Orem, Utah
Solved customers' problems with WordPerfect for Windows 5.1-5.2
Analyzed student workstation design problems (workstations had not been designed with "problem students" in mind), then designed & formally proposed new workstation design. Design was implemented within a year.
Maintained network, workstations, and software
Wrote network administration documentation for teachers
Trained teachers to operate WICAT/AIMS system
Ran student performance reports by teacher request
More Experience (clerkin', firefightin', baggin', and volunteerin')
Graduate Studies in Human Factors Engineering University of South Dakota, 2001-present Courses Coursework complete. Currently completing thesis proposal on color set recognition in variable light environments.
