Bernie Cohen Technical Writing Software Analysis and Design Project Management I'm a resourceful technical writer and proactive problem solver with a wide range of experience for technology companies in Silicon Valley including Karmasphere, Oracle, RSA Security, and Loudcloud (Opsware/HP). I've written Hadoop, Java, JavaScript, Python, and C developer documentation and tutorials. I've also written user, installation, deployment and system administration manuals, code samples, technical white papers, training materials, online help and release notes. On the marketing side I've written white papers, flyers, brochures, press releases, web sites, corporate backgrounders, executive bios, data sheets, FAQs and wikis. I can also produce videos for software demos. I gather information by reading source code, exercising APIs, verifying, modifying and creating code samples, working hands-on with software applications, and collaborating with developers and other subject matter experts when they're available. Although I'm a team player I have enough experience to work on my own. I'm highly motivated and I can take ownership and define deliverables with little or no direction. Having a pubs department is nice, but if there isn't one I can still do it all. I don't need an existing style guide, pubs infrastructure, or anything else to be effective. Please feel free to contact me to discuss your current or future needs. SELECT CONTRACT WRITING EXPERIENCE, 1997 — 2011 Karmasphere, Inc., Cupertino, CA Completed various assignments for this creator of advanced applications for Hadoop developers • Wrote the Installation and Getting Started Guides for Karmasphere Studio Community Edition, an Eclipse plug-in that enables Hadoop developers to visually develop, debug and deploy MapReduce jobs • Showed Hadoop developers how to deploy MapReduce jobs from Karmasphere Studio using JAR files, using Hadoop streaming with Perl, Python, Ruby, PHP and R scripts, and from MapReduce jobs developed visually using the Karmasphere Studio Workflow Wizard • Led a UX/UI initiative to make the intuitive Karmasphere Studio interface even easier to use • Created Release Notes for Karmasphere Studio Community Edition, Karmasphere Studio Professional Edition, and Karmasphere Analyst, a visual analytical application that enables developers to run SQL and Hive queries on terabytes of data Oracle Corporation, Redwood Shores, CA Wrote the Java and JavaScript SDKs for the UNIX-based Oracle Video Server Application Programmer’s Guide using FrameMaker for UNIX • Wrote Java and JavaScript tutorials, commented code samples, and edited the APIs • Installed and ran applications; interviewed developer, customer support, and QA subject matter experts • Made extensive revisions to the Oracle Video Server UNIX System Administrator's Guide RSA Security, Inc. (EMC), San Francisco, CA Updated the Java and C administration and runtime chapters in the RSA ClearTrust Developer's Guide • Updated Java and C API documentation and code samples • Added sections to the Java and C chapters of the Developer's Guide describing the new functionality in the 5.0 and 5.01 releases • Wrote and edited comments in Java source code and C header files Embedded Software Startup, Santa Clara, CA Wrote an SDK for this stealth startup with its embedded software application in private beta • Wrote SDK documenting the external API of an embedded C/C++ library that used SQLite3 for persistent storage • Wrote Python code samples showing developers how to use the API to pull down data, generate detailed reports, test for system conditions, and modify the system on the fly • Functionality included creating LAGs and VLANs, adding ports to LAGs and VLANs, adding VLANs to LAGs, specifying STP/RSTP/MSTP, and modifying system attributes like duplex and port speed • Created cross-platform network management software prototype that dynamically generated cascading menus from the XML database schema and used Python/Tk/tkinter/ttk to implement Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 2+ functionality via the company’s API using an XML/RPC proxy server Verity, Inc. (Autonomy), Sunnyvale, CA Produced various documents for Verity's K2 and Ultraseek search engines • Wrote two new Java chapters, wrote Java code samples, and edited Javadoc comments in source code • Updated existing Java and C SDKs including API reference materials Progress Software Corporation, Apptivity Division, Newark, CA Created developer documentation for Apptivity's 100% Java N-tier client/server development suite • Created and modified tutorial, developer’s guide, installation guide, deployment guide, online help, wizards and release notes for beta, point and major releases • Subject matter included JavaBeans, Enterprise JavaBeans, JDBC database access, data objects, server functionality, installation, deployment and CORBA • Provided UI/UX design feedback and helped drive improvements Fujitsu Software Corporation, San Jose, CA Responsible for the six-book documentation set for the RMI and CORBA versions of i-Flow, a 100% Java-based business process automation engine • Generated API reference guides from source code using Javadoc's MIF Doclet extension, then created FrameMaker books from the MIF files for print and PDF deliverables • Revised developer, administration, installation, user and integration adapter guides for major and point releases • Revised and edited architecture white paper, tutorial, brochure, corporate backgrounder, data sheet, FAQ, code samples, press releases and release notes • Edited and contributed to the design of the EJB specifications for the J2EE-based version of i-Flow • Wrote and edited Javadoc comments in source code • Handled all aspects of relationships with print vendors Aviatis Corporation, Campbell, CA • Wrote a Java SDK for meta model-based software that enabled data exchange between data sources with dissimilar formats • Interviewed engineers and read source code to determine system functionality TeleNav, Inc., Santa Clara, CA Completed numerous assignments for this provider of navigation apps and web-based management for mobile devices; topics included geofencing, location services and privacy management • Added comments to the Java source code and generated TeleNavTrack javadocs • Made extensive updates to the TeleNavTrack Installation, System Administration and BlackBerry manuals • Analyzed the functionality and usability of the TeleNavTrack web site and made UI/UX recommendations • Revised and edited the TeleNavTrack flyer and brochure • Wrote the TeleNav 5.0 User’s Guide • Analyzed TeleNav 5.0 and made UI/UX design recommendations • Wrote installation and configuration instructions for TeleNav’s mobile device software simulation workstations Twezr, Sunnyvale, CA Writer and UI/UX consultant for this mobile startup with its first iPhone app in private beta. Twezr consolidates, organizes and prioritizes wall posts, direct messages, emails, and SMS messages from multiple Facebook, Twitter, email and text accounts into one Twezr account. • As consulting technical writer made developmental edits to the product guide and online help • As consulting first beta user provided UI/UX feedback improving the app’s features and usability SuccessFactors, San Mateo, CA Completed various assignments for this SaaS-based software company • Documented XML configuration settings and procedures • Created an IT architecture design document for a large manufacturing client under tight deadline • Wrote a functional and design specification gap analysis report for a large financial services client, also under tight deadline • Documented their web hosting IT architecture in a white paper and in a PowerPoint presentation • Provided UI/UX feedback on their application and web designs, and helped drive improvements • Analyzed Processional Services' timesheet and resource management processes and gaps; researched and recommended a customizable web-based software solution to address their needs • Prepared monthly PowerPoint presentations for their Board of Directors • Participated in client conference calls and WebEx meetings • Maintained the company's IT and tech pubs wikis Electric Classifieds, Inc., San Francisco, CA Created developer documentation for a UNIX-based Internet electronic commerce application that used Netscape’s NSAPI and a Perl library interface to an Oracle 7 database • Interviewed engineers and read source code to determine the software’s functionality • Wrote programming reference materials including functional diagrams Loudcloud, Inc. (Opsware/HP), Sunnyvale, CA Completed numerous assignments for this bleeding-edge cloud startup • Wrote a technical white paper about designing web architectures that scale; topics included designing multi-tiered systems, separating the presentation and application layers, horizontal and vertical scaling, caching, queuing user requests, connection pooling, session management, database issues, logging, monitoring, and benchmarking • Wrote a detailed overview of Opsware, Loudcloud's data center infrastructure software; this was the first time that Opsware was documented • Made developmental edits to existing white papers for delivery to CEOs of vendor partners • Developed collateral for the vice president of R&D including writing bio, collaborating on outline of speech for Oracle AppsWorld, and editing press release • Worked with legal department to develop legal guidelines for internal and external white papers • Assisted with the redesign of the research department's intranet site • Rewrote job descriptions for research engineers and senior research engineers • Rewrote R&D department's extended mission statement • Mentored writers and editors CMP Publications, Inc., Manhasset, NY • Wrote an article about outsourcing web hosting services for Network Computing magazine • Included a sidebar discussing procedures for troubleshooting slow server and network response Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Oracle), Menlo Park, CA Designed HTML online help for the Sun Internet Mail Server using WebWorks Publisher • Programmed WebWorks Publisher to generate HTML pages from FrameMaker documents • Linked the HTML pages to a table of contents, an index and cross-references Kaiser Permanente, Oakland and Walnut Creek, CA • Designed and wrote training materials for their customized HR software application • Created an online help prototype using RoboHelp Deloitte and Touche, Toronto, Canada Documented an Oracle Financials accounting system for a division of the Dow Chemical Company • Interviewed the division's treasurer, auditor and controllers to determine business rules • Defined additional business rules in consultation with Oracle subject matter experts Advanced Research, Inc., Chattanooga, TN • As a Registered FrameMaker Trainer taught the beginning, intermediate and advanced FrameMaker classes Software Development Forum, San Jose, CA • Wrote an article for the SDF monthly newsletter reporting on a dinner talk given by Steve Westly, eBay's VP of Marketing and Business Development SELECT CONTRACT PROGRAMMING EXPERIENCE, 1997 — 2011 Embedded Software Startup, Santa Clara, CA • Created cross-platform network management software prototype that dynamically generated cascading menus from an XML database schema and used Python/Tk/tkinter/ttk to implement Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 2+ functionality via a C/C++ API using an XML/RPC proxy server and SQLite3 • Wrote Python code samples showing developers how to read/write via the API to pull down data and generate complex detailed reports, test for system conditions, and modify the system on the fly SuccessFactors, San Mateo, CA • Coded JDOM prototype for automating SuccessFactors' manual XML server configuration procedures Synergistech Communications, San Mateo, CA Designed and implemented UNIX-hosted web site for this recruiting firm • Dynamically generated complex web pages from text files using Perl CGI scripts • Created online forms with checkboxes, radio buttons, tables and validated fields • A confirmation message appeared if all of the fields in the form passed validation; a detailed error message appeared if a field did not pass validation • Separate emails were sent to the candidate and the recruiting firm for each job chosen; each email included a subject line, data from the appropriate fields, and the full text description associated with each job posting • A separate form allowed candidates to subscribe or unsubscribe to email lists for immediate notification of new contract or staff openings Knight-Ridder/Poppe Tyson, poppe.com Division, Mountain View, CA Modified UNIX-hosted web site for Knight-Ridder • Redesigned the look and feel of the search and faxback pages • Modified the Perl code for the faxback page to create a shopping-cart for selecting and faxing articles • Wrote a Perl script that added copyright information to page footers DHL Airways, Redwood City, CA • Managed the intranet site for an $18MM IT development project • Redesigned the intranet site, implementing a more attractive and navigable menu system using HTML tables and JavaScript popup menus Whittaker Communications (formerly Hughes Communications), Santa Clara, CA Modified web site for this communications equipment company • Redesigned the layout to create a more balanced visual presentation • Added text, hypertext links, graphics and image maps • Coordinated the collection of information from content providers • Taught basic HTML skills to the company’s content providers Transvirtual, Berkeley, CA • Completely redesigned the company’s web site including graphics and layout • Created site content including corporate backgrounder, press release, CEO bio and product literature EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT • JavaOne, 1997 and 1999 • Java and OO Design: An Intensive Introduction (Allen Holub), 1997 • Presenting Data and Information (Edward Tufte), 1996 • How to Document C and C++ Object Oriented Programs, 1996 • Advanced Perl Programming, 1996 • Intermediate UNIX, 1995 • Introduction to C++, 1995 • Franklin and Marshall College MEMBERSHIPS • Society for Technical Communication • Software Development Forum Contact Bernie Cohen - - - - - - - - - Copyright 1997-2011 Bernie Cohen. All rights reserved.