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Bernie Cohen
Technical Writing
Software Analysis and Design
Project Management
I'm a resourceful writer and proactive problem solver with over fourteen years of technical writing experience for companies like Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Fujitsu Software, Kaiser Permanente, and Loudcloud (Opsware).
I've written Java and C developer guides, API reference materials, tutorials and code samples. I've also written user, installation, deployment and system administration manuals, training materials, online help, and release notes. On the marketing side I've authored white papers, flyers, brochures, press releases, data sheets, FAQs, web sites and a magazine article.
I gather information by building alliances with the sales, marketing, engineering, quality assurance and customer support departments. I participate as a full member of the team, contributing to the success of the product by suggesting improvements in the product's features, usability and reliability.
Although I'm a team player, I have enough experience to work on my own. 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.
When the situation calls for it I can do more than just technical writing. I’ve done everything from designing usable software to stepping in as an ad hoc project manager to fill the gaps when project managers are too busy to cover all of the bases. I’ve also assisted with various business and legal matters including trademarks, copyrights, and writing and negotiating customer and vendor contracts.
I've also been heavily involved with trade shows including creating sales and marketing collateral, coordinating printing and shipping, designing and staffing the booths, training staff, making travel and lodging arrangements, and handling business affairs with show management.
My wide range of experience makes me an ideal candidate for many different kinds of assignments. Feel free to contact me to discuss your current and future needs.
CONTRACT WRITING EXPERIENCE, 1990 — present
Oracle Corporation, Redwood Shores, CA
Wrote the Java and JavaScript chapters for the UNIX-based Oracle Video Server Application Programmer’s Guide using FrameMaker for UNIX
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Wrote Java and JavaScript tutorials, commented code samples and published the APIs |
| • | Installed and ran applications; interviewed developers, customer support, and QA SMEs |
RSA Security Inc., San Francisco, CA
Updated Java and C administration and runtime chapters in the RSA ClearTrust Developer's Guide
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Worked with developers and QA to update Java and C API classes, methods and code samples |
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Added sections in the Java and C chapters of the Developer's Guide describing the new functionality added in the 5.0 and 5.01 releases |
| • | Worked closely with developers to update Javadoc comments |
Verity, Inc., 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 their 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 |
| • | Used FrameMaker, RoboHELP, HomeSite, PaintShop Pro and SnagIt on Windows |
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
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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
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| • | Revised developer, administration, installation, user and integration adapter guides for major and point releases |
| • | Revised 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 |
| • | Edited Javadoc comments in source code |
| • | Handled all aspects of relationships with print vendors |
Aviatis Corporation, Campbell, CA
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Wrote a Java SDK for meta model-based software that enabled data exchange between data sources with dissimilar formats
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Interviewed engineers and read source code to determine system functionality
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TeleNav, Inc., Santa Clara, CA
Completed numerous assignments for this provider of navigation software for mobile devices
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Added comments to the source code and generated new Javadocs for TeleNavTrack
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Analyzed the functionality and usability of the TeleNavTrack Web site
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Made extensive updates to the TeleNavTrack Installation, BlackBerry, and System Administrator guides
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Edited and revised the TeleNavTrack flyer and brochure
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Wrote the TeleNav 5.0 User’s Guide
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Analyzed the TeleNav 5.0 software design and made design recommendations for future versions
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Stealth Startup, Northern CA
Worked on various assignments for this ASP-based software company
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Documented XML configuration procedures
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Created an IT architecture design document for a large manufacturing client under tight deadline
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Wrote a functional and design specification gap analysis report for a large financial services client, also under tight deadline
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Documented their Web hosting IT architecture in a white paper and in a PowerPoint presentation
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Provided constructive feedback on security issues, product development lifecycles and user interface design
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Analyzed Processional Services' timesheet and resource management processes and gaps; researched and recommended a customizable Web-based software solution to address their needs
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Prepared monthly PowerPoint presentations for the board of directors
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Participated in client conference calls and WebEx meetings
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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
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Interviewed engineers and read source code to determine the software’s functionality
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Wrote programming reference materials including functional diagrams
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Loudcloud, Inc. (Opsware), Sunnyvale, CA
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Wrote a technical white paper on 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
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Wrote a detailed overview of Opsware, the data center operation's software infrastructure
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Made developmental edits to existing white papers for delivery to CEOs of vendor partners
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Developed collateral for the vice president of R&D including writing bio, collaborating on outline of speech for Oracle AppsWorld, and editing press release
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Worked with legal department to develop legal guidelines for internal and external white papers
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Assisted with the redesign of the research department's intranet site
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Rewrote job descriptions for research engineers and senior research engineers
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Rewrote R&D department's extended mission statement
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Mentored writers and editors
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CMP Publications, Inc., Manhasset, NY
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Wrote an article about outsourcing Web hosting services for Network Computing magazine
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Included a sidebar discussing procedures for troubleshooting slow server and network response
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Sun Microsystems, Inc., Menlo Park, CA
Designed HTML online help for the Sun Internet Mail Server using WebWorks Publisher
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Programmed WebWorks Publisher to generate HTML pages from FrameMaker documents
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Linked the HTML pages to a table of contents, an index and cross-references
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Kaiser Permanente, Oakland and Walnut Creek, CA
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Designed and wrote training materials for their customized HR software application
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Created an online help prototype using RoboHelp
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Deloitte and Touche, Toronto, Canada
Documented an Oracle Financials accounting system for a division of the Dow Chemical Company
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Interviewed the division's treasurer, auditor and controllers to determine business rules
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Defined additional business rules in consultation with Oracle subject matter experts
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Advanced Research, Inc., Chattanooga, TN
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As a Registered FrameMaker Trainer taught the beginning, intermediate and advanced FrameMaker classes
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Software Development Forum, San Jose, CA
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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
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CONTRACT PROGRAMMING EXPERIENCE, 1995 — present
Synergistech Communications, San Mateo, CA
Designed and implemented UNIX-hosted Web site for this recruiting firm
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Dynamically generated complex Web pages from text files using Perl CGI scripts
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Created online forms with checkboxes, radio buttons, tables and validated fields
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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
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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
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A separate form allowed candidates to subscribe or unsubscribe to email lists for immediate notification of new contract or staff openings
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Knight-Ridder/Poppe Tyson, poppe.com Division, Mountain View, CA
Modified UNIX-hosted Web site for Knight-Ridder
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Redesigned the look and feel of the search and faxback pages
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Modified the Perl code for the faxback page to create a shopping-cart for selecting and faxing articles
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Wrote a Perl script that added copyright information to page footers
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DHL Airways, Redwood City, CA
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Managed the intranet site for an $18MM IT development project
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Redesigned the intranet site, implementing a more attractive and navigable menu system using HTML tables and JavaScript popup menus
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Whittaker Communications (formerly Hughes Communications), Santa Clara, CA
Modified web site for this communications equipment company
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Redesigned the layout to create a more balanced visual presentation
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Added text, hypertext links, graphics and image maps
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Coordinated the collection of information from content providers
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Taught basic HTML skills to the company’s content providers
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Transvirtual, Berkeley, CA
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Completely redesigned the company’s Web site including graphics and layout
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Created site content including corporate backgrounder, press release, CEO bio and product literature
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EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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JavaOne, 1997 and 1999
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Java and OO Design: An Intensive Introduction (Allen Holub), 1997
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How to Document C and C++ Object Oriented Programs, 1996
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Advanced Perl Programming, 1996
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Advanced Perl Programming, 1996
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Presenting Data and Information (Edward Tufte), 1996
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Intermediate UNIX, 1995
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Introduction to C++, 1995
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Introduction to PowerBuilder, 1995
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Registered FrameMaker Trainer, 1993
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NYNEX Experienced Trainer Workshop, 1990
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Novell Reseller Authorization, 1989
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Franklin and Marshall College
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MEMBERSHIPS
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Society for Technical Communication
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Software Development Forum
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Contact Bernie Cohen
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Copyright 1995-2010 Bernie Cohen. All rights reserved.
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