Manager Technical Writer

Curriculum Vitae for David Thomson

PERSONAL

Address Contact

*** - ** ******** **.

Toronto, Ont., M4Y 1N3 Home Phone: 416-***-****

Email: *********@*******.***

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Computer Science, Dalhousie University

Bachelor of Science, Experimental Psychology, Dalhousie University

EMPLOYMENT

Senior Technical Writer, Embarcadero Technologies, March 2007 - Present

Embarcadero develops database tools, IDEs, and other programming tools. I worked primarily on DBArtisan and Rapid SQL. DBArtisan is a cross-DB platform database toolbox featuring datasource/server management, an SQL/DDL scripting/execution environment, database object management, performance/storage/capacity monitoring, and a variety of other utilities. Rapid SQL provides a subset of DBArtisan functionality and includes additional developer-specific features.

•I am responsible for release-to-release maintenance of DBArtisan and Rapid SQL, with page count in excess of 2500 pages, in PDF/HTML/.CHM formats.

•I contribute to Web-based documentation and marketing materials.

•I mentor junior technical writers

•I reduced the total, maintainable page count for DBArtisan/Rapid SQL by 800 pages

For more information, see http://www.embarcadero.com.

Senior Information Developer, Siements Trango, March 2001 - March 2007

Trango develops HiPath Procenter, a Siemens contact center suite of products that features a skills-based routing paradigm and a complete set of tools for administering a contact center.

•I was responsible for documentation of reporting, contact-routing, and CRM–integration features of all offered products

•I took part in screening and interviewing of Technical Writer candidates

•I participated in projects such as an Eclipse-based application framework for use within the division and a resumè-based person/skills search system, similarly, for use within the division

Documentation Manager, ePod, March 2000 - February 2001

An ePod showcase is an Internet advertising vehicle and an alternative to banners. ePod developed the technology, produced and hosted showcases, and developed tools, proprietary and Flash-based, for creating showcases.

•I oversaw conception, development, and production of all technical documentation

•I made the first steps toward single-sourcing documentation for deployment in HTML, Compiled HTML Help, PDF, and paper formats

See this Adweek article for more information on ePod. ePod ceased all operations in February 2001.

Technical Writer, InfoInterActive, July 1998 - March 2000

IIA produced Internet Call Manager, software that allows single phone line subscribers to monitor incoming calls while on the Internet, and offered options like disconnecting to answer the call, transferring the call to another number, sending the call directly to voice mail, and so on. IIA's primary business was customizing and branding the service for telephone companies and Internet service providers such as Bell Atlantic, GTE, Telus, and Sprint.

•As the first documentation resource at IIA, I designed and wrote the entire Internet Call Manager documentation set

•I created a process that largely automated customizing and branding of documentation.

•I was responsible for a company-wide, Web-based document repository. I also created a document-based search scheme that allowed Sales and Account staff to search for and download technical documentation, marketing materials, customer deliverables, and RFI/RFP materials from a small PDF stored on laptop.

Documentation Manager, Pictorius, September 1993 - July 1998

Pictorius are the creators of Prograph CPX, an award-winning, visual programming language and development environment. Additional Prograph-based products were built by providing class libraries that work with the base technology to produce development tools for specific markets; tools for building client/server or internet applications, for example.

•I was responsible for about 4000 pages of documentation and managed a staff of three.

•I developed in-house tools for single-sourcing before mainstream products were available

For more information, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prograph.

Technical Writing Consultant, DGS, November 1990 - September 1993

I had the following placements with DGS Information Consultants.

•My first placement was with IBM Canada, Customer Support. I documented a network resource management tool that allows the easy creation, storage and distribution of NCP decks and VTAM definitions. I also provided advice on the user interface.

•My second placement was with IBM Canada, Financial Industry Support and Development. I wrote a documentation set for an OS/2 software integration product.

•My third placement was with Unitel, now part of Rogers ATT. Most of my time was spent indexing policies and procedures manuals.

Senior Technical Writer, Aratek International/IBM Canada, November 1988 - September 1990

Aratek subcontracted software projects for clients like IBM, Motorola, and Xerox. I coordinated multiple publication projects and assisted other writers with substantive editing and research. I also wrote software tools for use by the technical writing group. Aratek terminated all non-executive staff in late 1989. IBM subsequently hired me to complete work on a project subcontracted to Aratek.

PUBLISHING TOOLS EXPERIENCE

I have extensive experience with FrameMaker, MIF2GO, HTML, Adobe Acrobat, and SGML/XML implementations. I have also used ePublisher, RoboHelp, ForeHelp, and Microsoft Word.

REFERENCES AND SAMPLES

I will gladly supply work samples or personal and work-related references on request.

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