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Technical Skills

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  • Operating Systems: Windows 10, Windows 7, Mac OS X, Windows XP, Windows Server 2008 R2​

  • Virtualization: XenServer​

  • Cloud: Microsoft Azure, Citrix Cloud

  • Networking: Virtual private network (VPN), Ethernet, network security, authentication and authorization protocols, wireless, Bluetooth wireless, TCP/IP, IPv6

  • Software: JIRA, Confluence, Astoria Content Management System, XMetal, Adobe Dreamweaver, Microsoft Office products, Microsoft Visio, Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Acrobat, Google Docs

  • Languages: HTML 5, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), DITA, JavaScript

Professional Experience
Websharp Writing & Editing LLC
Owner, Writer, and Editor

2018 - present

  • Edited the book Lucky Conversations: Visits With the Most Prominent People of the 20th Century for Morris Wolff, an internationally known lawyer who won a court case against the U.S.S.R. on behalf of Raoul Wallenberg and his family.

  • Reviewed each chapter to ensure correct content flow.

  • Copy edited the book for punctuation and grammar.

  • Collaborated with the author by using Google Docs and then compiled the material in Microsoft Word for publication.

  • Collaborated with the publisher to proofread and suggest changes to the final book before publication.

Vimerse
Technical Writer at Verizon

2019 - 2020

  • Write content for engineers about new and updated features for Verizon 5G networks on two-week cycles.

  • Create documentation for executive management that summarizes each release.

2019

Insight Global
Technical Writer

  • Wrote a configuration guide for Trace Systems, who works with Global Eagle Entertainment to create communication systems for military members to call home. Wrote about network switches, routers, wired and wireless networks, and access points as part of a kit that ships all over the world. The kits support terrestrial (on-premise) and satellite communications.

  • Wrote and edited 100 topics for a program management application for WellCare, a health insurance company. Wrote the topics in Microsoft Word and compiled all of the topics into one PDF by using Adobe Acrobat. I also converted the topics to HTML to include in the internal Knowledgebase of the application. Stored all Word files and PDFs in Microsoft SharePoint. Created a style guide and acronym list for the department.

TEKSystems 
Technical Writer

2018

  • Wrote documentation for a set of data analytics products for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) that includes enhanced auditing, data extraction, and automated lease and mortgage document review.

  • Created functional design documents, data diagrams, architectural, and other engineering-focused documentation. Edited user guides and existing documentation.

Citrix Systems
Principal Technical Writer/Information Developer

2004-2017

  • Delivered documentation projects for the cloud, network hardware and software, mobile app and device management, and virtualization for administrator audiences.

  • Delivered end-user documentation for applications running on Windows, Mac, and Linux. All content published on public product documentation website.

  • Wrote topics about delivering virtual applications and desktops from Citrix Cloud and Microsoft Azure.

  • Wrote or updated 1100+ topics for NetScaler Gateway, XenMobile, and XenServer each quarter.

  • Wrote network deployment guides with flowcharts and graphs to support complex, multiple product configurations.

  • Led and participated in content conversion projects from FrameMaker to DITA, and then to Adobe Experience Manager.

  • Converted and extensively edited documentation from three acquired companies to fit style and terminology guidelines, creating or updating approximately 800 topics.

  • Managed two contract employees, making assignments for writing and editing.

  • Developed processes to publish content to the Knowledge Center, improving customer satisfaction by 100%.

Volt
Technical Writer at Microsoft

2004

  • Wrote white papers for Windows Media Center Extender, a hardware device that allows end-users to watch Windows XP Media Center on multiple televisions.

  • Content development included hardware specifications, networking, and software specifications for developers.

Microsoft
Technical Writer

1999 to 2003​

  • Member of the Microsoft User Experience group for Windows XP.

  • Responsible for early User Assistance involvement for key Windows features, such as home and small office networking, network security, wireless networking, and Bluetooth connections.

  • Contributed to feature development, and critiqued feature designs.

  • Identified customer networking issues from usability testing, technical support calls, and newsgroups to improve the UI text for wizards, property pages, and documentation.

  • Functioned as the sole UA contact for the home and small networking online help.

  • Researched and wrote help topics, testing all content, and serving as the user advocate during feature reviews.

  • Wrote online help and UI text for Bluetooth, IPv6, and UI text and setup instructions for the Microsoft Home Networking Guide.

  • Wrote online Help for Windows XP Home and small office networking, Bluetooth technology, and IPv6.

  • Streamlined 1,000,000 words to 60,000 words for Multiple User Interface Language Pack for Windows XP.

  • Worked with user assistance teams to test and improve design of the new HTML Help system in Windows 98.

The Write Stuff
Technical Writer at Microsoft

1996 to 1999

  • Wrote and updated the online help and the print manual for Windows NetMeeting 3.0 Resource Kit. Converted the manual to HTML for inclusion on the Windows NetMeeting Web site. Wrote about telecommunication standards.

  • Wrote procedural and conceptual topics for Windows 98 and Windows 2000. Worked with the user assistance teams to improve the design of the new HTML Help system and to resolve problems with links to Windows Help, other topics, and to the Web.

Bluestar Writing Services
Owner, Writer, Editor, Web Author

1992 to 1999

  • Web Authoring 
    Designed, wrote, and maintained the award-winning website for Clan MacIntyre Society. Applied style sheets to create a consistent look and created logos and other graphics for each site. Defined specifications for website design. Managed all aspects of the project.

  • Publishing
    Identified a community resource need and then created and marketed two international, bi-monthly newsletters reaching seven countries in less than a year. Researched, wrote, and edited columns on a variety of issues resulting in interesting, challenging, and informative articles. Created and designed the newsletters, including formatting, editing, proofreading, writing, and evaluating author submissions, resulting in two high-quality and well-respected publications.
    Designed and published the Clan MacIntyre Society newsletter.

Education

Pursued Bachelor of Arts degree at:
University of New Mexico, Los Alamos
Northern New Mexico Community College, Los Alamos

Certifications

  • Building Responsive Websites

  • Interaction Design Fundamentals (Lynda.com), License 2E35E6

  • Foundations of UX: Content Strategy (Lynda.com) License 358250

  • Currently enrolled in The Complete Web Developer Course 2.0 (udemy.com) Cambridge Certification Authority. Obtained HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Certifications.

  • JIRA and Confluence certification. Cambridge Certification Authority

Awards

Awards from the Society of Technical Communication:

  • Citrix Access Gateway 5.0 – Excellence and Merit Awards (state and national competitions)

  • Citrix eDocs - Excellence and Merit Awards (state and national competitions, team award)

  • Citrix Access Gateway 4.6 Administrator’s Guide – Excellence Award

  • Getting Started with Citrix Access Gateway 4.6 – Merit Award

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Home Edition Online Help, Welcome to Home and Small Office Networking – ExcellenceAward

  • Microsoft Windows XP Articles: Walkthrough ways to use your PC, Walkthrough: Home Network – Merit Award

  • Microsoft NetMeeting 3.0 Online Help – Excellence Award

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