After getting down-sized out of Serena (again!), I decided to work for an employer far too lazy to lay me off, myself! Actually, I had been (very) slowly preparing some self-employment activities; Serena simply gave me the kick in the butt that it was time to actually do it.I am variously launching a small line of smart-ass T-shirts and doing a little graphic design and web development on the side. At least there will be no shortage of company T-shirts at this "job." Oh, and napping with my cat (and typing with my cat draped across my arm--guess I should list that under Skills).All that blather aside, I am currently focused on my own projects and not looking for a "job." That said, I will continue to take on the occasional contract/project that is a good match to my skills (mostly Technical Writing), schedule, and interests.

Same as my previous work at Serena, but now it once again includes benefits and free company T-shirts.*Disambiguation of corporate identities (or WTF did Serena go?). As of Summer 2016, Serena has become part of Micro Focus (again!). I still think they should change the name back to Polytron; Polytron was the best name ever! Not just one tron, multitudinous trons!Polytron > Sage > (merged with Index) > Intersolv > (1st Micro Focus acquisition) > Merant > Serena

Same as my previous work at Serena, but freed of burdens like benefits and free company T-shirts.

Worked closely with developers, QA, and support to write manuals, help, and readmes for version control software that integrates with third party programs (VisualStudio, Eclipse, SCC, and COM IDE’s) and which also has Web, GUI, and command-line clients. Tools: FrameMaker, Acrobat, RoboHELP, WebWorks, and VMware.Peer reviewed and edited content.Planned and coded an internal website to provide a central repository of the documentation group’s processes, standards, templates, etc. Tools: HomeSite.Proposed and implemented the major design elements when we redesigned the layout of our manuals. Tools: FrameMaker. Participated in the design of a home-grown single-sourcing solution using DITA. Tools: XMetaL, Flare, and our own custom tools.

During this time I worked as an intern at Merant (which later became Serena). I learned to use FrameMaker and RoboHelp, and I became familiar with the products and processes of Merant. Merant then hired me as a direct employee (see Serena).

Updated and maintained the content, HTML, and JavaScript of the WVCSTC website. Tools: HomeSite and CuteFTP.Worked with STC SIG managers to Create new HTML pages following the site’s design standards.

Participated in the design, layout, and organization of the new WVCSTC website.Assisted in troubleshooting and testing of the site’s JavaScript.

Wrote the ISO documentation for mastering and created the forms used in the mastering process.Developed procedures for the electronic transfer and verification of software and artwork masters between KAO’s world-wide sites and global customer facilities.Documented various solutions for KAO’s Fremont CA, Plymouth MA, Singapore, and German facilities in support of the Hewlett Packard account.Improved procedures to stay ahead of changes in the industry. These improvements carried beyond Wilsonville to encompass the mastering, quality control, and production processes at all KAO Software Services Group facilities.Created label artwork from the customers’ specifications using CorelDraw, Epitag, etc.Programmed the customers’ serialization and checksum schemes in Epitag, Visual Basic, and Basic.Wrote Visual Basic programs to streamline internal processes, including serial number issuing and recording, label imprinting, production automation, and job tracking.