Edward P. Collins

 

 

28 Cunningham Street

EMail: ed-collins@comcast.net

Wilmington, MA  01887

Website: http://www.onlineauthoring.com

Home: 978.657.7970

Home Office/Cell: 508.572.7628

 

Career Profile

A computer professional with over twenty-five years experience in information technology. Major strengths include creating and producing technical writing projects using RoboHelp, FrameMaker, Word, Acrobat, and Dreamweaver. Designing and developing web-based and windows-based online help systems. Creating, editing, converting, and populating intranet/extranet web pages and html documents. Designing and developing business and college web sites using Dreamweaver, WebIT, and Photoshop web creation/graphics editing tools. Web pages include Javascripts, Java applets, animation, Flash objects, CSS Style Sheets, templates, and HTML. Writing projects documented Java web-based applications and applets, Windows-based applications, client server, networking, internet/intranet, applications development, systems integration, information systems, and engineering applications. Interests include documenting web-based and networking applications and programs, developing online help projects, developing web pages, editing HTML documents, testing/using new web applications and publishing tools, and converting source documents and graphics for online documentation and help projects.

 

 

Technical Skills and Tools

 

Microsoft Word

RoboHTML

Olympus Digital Imaging

SS7

 

Microsoft Windows 2000/XP

RoboHelp X4/5

PaintShop Pro

SNMPc & MIB

 

Microsoft PowerPoint

Dreamweaver MX

Lview Pro

Broadband Internet

 

Microsoft Office

Mapedit & Map This

Gif Construction Set 32

ISDN

 

Microsoft Visio

HotDog Pro

Applet Button Factory

Javascript

 

Microsoft FrontPage

Adobe FrameMaker

Applet Marquee Wizard

Norton AntiVirus

 

Microsoft Publisher

Adobe Acrobat

Netscape Communicator

Norton System Works

 

Microsoft Outlook

Adobe Photo Deluxe

NetObjects Fusion

WebIt

 

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Adobe Photo Shop

HTML Transit

Sygate Firewall

 

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe

WebWorks Publisher

Oracle Database

FTP Windows Pro

 

Microsoft SQL

Snag It Screen Capture

WinZip

 

 

Professional Experience

 

Boston College, Information Technology Application Services, Newton, Ma

April 2004 – Present

Contract Technical Writer/Web Developer

q       Developed new intranet web site and web pages that documented Boston College Millennium Fundraising web application. Created functional overview, input and output interface database specifications, data process flows, fundraising flow, multiple application interfaces, user interface functions, and flow chart diagrams.

q       Worked with application developers, database administrators, web administrators, web developers, and management to obtain Millennium information and interfaces to Millennium program.

q       Used Dreamweaver, WebIT, Snag-It, Photoshop, Visio, Word, Acrobat, and WS_FTP Pro for the documentation tools.

q       Used the official College style sheet (BC_main.css) and standard  templates to build the navigation frame, content headings, crumb trails, page layouts, and web page shell components (header, footer, logo, background colors, 1-2 columns, length/width sizes) for the Millennium intranet web site.

q       Used and tested Millennium System on both Windows platform (with Windows browser), and on Web platform (with IE, Netscape, and Mozilla browsers) to understand program from user perspective.

 

Computer Associates, Inc., BrightStor Applications, Islandia, NY

June 2003 – April 2004

Contract Technical Writer/Online Help Developer

q       Developed online HTML Help and context-sensitive help descriptions for the BrightStor ARCserve Manager applications. The BrightStor project included leading a team of help writers in converting and creating twenty-one help systems from Winhelp to HTML Help. Platforms included: Windows NT/2000/XP, and Netware.

q       Worked with software development to integrate the help map IDs with the application source code ID controls header files. Worked with the GUI and Build engineers to integrate the help systems with the BrightStor application development builds, which I downloaded and installed daily on my test machine.

q       Checked help project in and out of Microsoft Visual SourceSafe Library for archive and backup purposes.

q       Used STAR Database System for bug tracking and bug fixing of online help releases.

q       Used RoboHelp X4.1 to condition and merge help systems, as well as, to convert and create new topics and new help systems; used the corporate style sheet (ca.css) for the web htm pages. Used Snag-It, FrameMaker, Acrobat, and Photoshop for the documentation tools.

q       Designed and developed online Web Help for the BrightStor ARCserve Manager applications for the UNIX and Linux platforms. This release of the product included my new web help design and development for the BrightStor UNIX/Linux platforms. Online Help needed to be multibrowser compatible across UNIX platforms, and user friendly in structure and format. This BrightStor project included working with a team of DEV and QA developers; created and designed help for the UNIX/Linux GUI Managers environment; provided a similar matching help system to the previous Windows-release version of the Windows-based help for company standard look and feel. Platforms included UNIX and Linux.

 

GSI Lumonics, Inc., Optical Scanning Products, Billerica, Ma

January 2003 – February 2003

Contract Technical Writer

q       Developed online application help and context-sensitive help descriptions for the GSI Lumonics ScribeSmart graphical application. The ScribeSmart GUI included both software and hardware components. Platforms included: Windows NT/2000/XP.

q       Worked with software development to integrate the help map IDs (alias file) with the application source code ID controls map file.

q       Provided technical analysis and comments to improve and enhance the software GUI.

q       Created the source (Word) and produced the online/hardcopy (PDF) user’s guide for the ScribeSmart application.

q       Used RoboHelp, Word, Snag-It, Acrobat, and Photoshop for the documentation tools.

 

SJM&L, Inc., Austin, TX

June 2002 – October 2002

Contract Technical Writer/Web Developer

q      Designed, developed, and produced the Ergonomic products business web site. Web Site information included text, site navigation menus (side/bottom), site layout, javascripts, flash objects, animation, photos, and illustrations.

q      Created CSS template for all web pages standard look and feel.

q      Transferred (FTP) and uploaded all client source files.

q      Launched client web site after final validation tests.

q      Used Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Snag-It web tools to build small business web site http://www.1stergo.com

q      Created and produced customer brochure PDF document from web site data.

 

Lightchip Optical Networking, Systems Software Engineering & SQA, Salem, NH

February 2001 – May 2002

Contract Technical Writer

q       Designed and developed HTML Online Help for the Lightchip Optical Wavelength Manager (OWM) web-based GUI application written in Java.

q       Created customer documentation for the OWM System for monitoring, configuring, and managing Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) networks. Tested and documented both the hardware equipment and the software features through the Command Line Interface (CLI) and the Graphical User Interface (GUI). Also, wrote and produced the Cisco Systems version (ONS 15216 OPM).

q       Created customer documentation for the Lightchip Optical Wavelength Router (OWR) for multiplexing up to 20 wavelengths from the ITU C-band into a multi-wavelength DWDM signal. Tested and documented both the hardware equipment and the software features through the Command Line Interface (CLI) and the Graphical User Interface (GUI).

q       Created, modified, and maintained the engineering source document specifications. Used Microsoft SourceSafe library to store both the engineering and customer documentation source files.

q       Created document templates for both engineering and customer documentation projects. Converted engineering specification source files from Word, to documentation source files in FrameMaker. Engineering documents included the OWM Command Line Interface, the OWM Graphical User Interface, OWM Boot Loader, OWM Spectrometer CLI and Spectrometer Boot CLI, OWR Command Line Interface, Device Descriptors, LC 485 Protocol, and Cisco Systems Final Test Specifications.

q       Used FrameMaker to create source and PDF documents for both engineering and customer documentation.

q       Reported CLI and GUI errors to Bug Tracking program. Resolved documentation bugs for the OWM and OWR User’s Guides.

q       Provided technical writing advice to Customer Documentation, Software Development, Systems Engineering, SQA, Engineering Design, Sales, and Marketing groups.

 

Lucent Technologies, Customer Training and Information Products, North Andover, Ma

August 2000 – April 2001

Contract Technical Writer

q       Documented the WaveStar TDM 10G (OC-192) 4 Fiber Optical Networking system for Applications and Planning Guide.

q       Described the features, applications, topologies, operations, administration, maintenance, provisioning, technical specifications, and port unit descriptions of this product for network planners and engineers.

q       Used Framemaker to create hard copy, and Acrobat to create the PDF files for customer/end user documentation (Applications and Planning Guide).

q       Developed training materials for the Applications, Architecture, and Planning course. Included Powerpoint slides, graphics, Instructor and Student guides.

 

Terason, Medical Division of Teratech Corp., Ultrasound Microsystems, Burlington, Ma

May 2000 – December 2000

Contract Technical Writer

q       Designed and developed the Online HTML Help for the Terason 2000 Ultrasound System.

q       Researched and gathered technical information about the portable handheld ultrasound microsystem from ground to alpha, beta, and prerelease versions.

q       Used RoboHelp HTML to design and develop the help system for Windows 2000-based users. Used Snag-It screen capture utility for menus, dialog boxes, and toolbars. Used Photoshop graphics application for ultrasound imaging graphics.

q       Used Word to write a Quick Start Guide draft version that included Overview, Installation, Tutorial, and Start Up sections.

 

Agilent Technologies, Inc. (Hewlett Packard Company), Medical Products, Andover, Ma

October 1999 – July 2000

Contract Technical Writer

q       Documented the SONOS 5500/4500 Ultrasound Imaging System for HP's medical technology healthcare customer applications. Researched and gathered technical information across several groups such as FDA Regulatory, Product Management, Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Clinical Specialist, QA, Technical Support, Manufacturing, System Administration, Translation, and Documentation. Technically reviewed documents through the HP verification and validation process.

q       Used Framemaker to create both hard copy and PDF files for the customer/end user documentation set, which included Safety and Standards Guide, System Basics User's Guide, Integrated Digital Interface User's Guide, and System Reference Guide.

q       Interfaced with translation group and provided translation support for 16 different languages.

q       Created new and updated existing information for the SONOS 5500/4500 Ultrasound Imaging System Service Documentation for the Customer Engineer. Platforms included Windows NT

 

ECRM Imaging Systems, Film/Plate Setting Operations, Tewksbury, Ma

May 1999 – May 2000

Contract Technical Writer/Web Developer

q       Developed online help for the CtServer, a Windows NT multiplexing application that facilitated imaging from RIP stations.

q       Wrote operating procedures for the imagesetter model types filmsetter and platesetter.

q       Used RoboHelp, Word, and Fullshot 99 for screen capture images.

q       Updated ECRM Marketing website with marketing bulletins, sell sheets, product specifications, employment postings, contact information and map, PDFs, and digital images.

q       Created new pages for ECRM Service website, which included customer FAQs, Dealer Technical information, and How To procedure sections.

q       Used Homesite, Net Objects Fusion, and Acrobat for web creation and editing tools.

 

Lucent Technologies, Signaling and Systems Interoperability, Natick, Ma

May 1999 – October 1999

Contract Technical Writer

 

q       Developed online application help and context-sensitive help descriptions for the ConnectStar Interworking Call Router (ICR) product. The ConnectStar ICR system included hardware and software components such as ATM Access Concentrators, 5ESS switches, Remote Access Servers, Sybase SQL Anywhere database, SNMP, SNMPc, MIB, SS7 signaling, ISDN signaling, and the Event Manager System interface. Platforms included: UNIX Sun Netra and Windows NT.

q       Assisted in Framemaker documentation of System User's Guide, Release Notes, and Readme file.

q       Designed and developed the SSI group intranet web site with the NetObjects Fusion tool. Maintained and updated site that included web html documents, word documents, text files, PDF files, product specifications, product and training presentations, and user documentation.

q       Other responsibilities included: coding help map IDs, beta testing, and product shipment.

 

NetManage Inc. (FTP Software Inc.), Host to PC Connectivity Group, North Andover, Ma

April 1998 – April 1999

Contract Technical Writer

q       Developed online application help, install help notes and tips, and context-sensitive help descriptions for the InterDrive NFS Client, InterDrive NFS Gateway, and Ping, Query, and Net Time network tools. Platforms included: Windows 95/98/NT.

q       Worked in project management and feature/bug tracking cross-functional teams that included Engineering, Development, Installation, Marketing, QA, Usability, Tech Support, Documentation, and Manufacturing groups.

q       Other responsibilities included: coding help map IDs, source control (PVCS) filing, building and installing the product, beta testing, and product shipment (FCS).

q       Deliverables included help install notes and tips, online application help, context-sensitive help (controls and fields), read me file, getting started document, and web install script.

 

Cabletron Systems (Digital Equipment Corp), Network Products Group, Littleton, Ma

May 1997 – April 1998

Contract Technical Writer

q       Designed and developed a Web-based customer forms survey using FrontPage 97.

q       Developed HTML Help for the Digital clearVISN JAVA web-based network application called Recovery Manager. Tool used was RoboHTML and FrontPage 97 to create the html help design, development, and management of the HTML Help.

q       Converted Desktop PC Help to HTML Help using WinHelp Office V4.0 Help-to-HTML converter.

q       Used FrameMaker to document the Recovery Manager web-based application for print publication and online viewing in PDF and HTML formats.

q       Used FrameMaker and Frontpage to document and publish the Digital clearVISN Release Notes for the suite of web-based network application tools. Designed for both print publication and online viewing in PDF and HTML formats.

q       Provided software tools consulting for writing group. Responsibilities included researching and recommending writing tools for online help, technical publications, and html web authoring.

q       Wrote FrameMaker procedures that described tools conversions from Framemaker to Portable Document Format (PDF) using Adobe Acrobat tools suite, from Framemaker to HTML using HTML Transit, and from Online Help to HTML using WinHelp Office.

q       Designed, edited, and developed web pages using Microsoft FrontPage97.

 

Nortel Networks (Bay Networks Inc.), Internet Products Division, Billerica, Ma

November 1996 – May 1997

Contract Technical Writer

q       Provided Windows online help for Quick2Config Annex Remote Access application. Involved seven source files and a map file.

q       Converted Windows 3.1 online help system to Windows 95 online help format.

q       Beta tested Framemaker documents to HTML with conversion software (WebWorks Publisher and Webmaker).

q       Transferred production files from CD to Corporate Intranet. Used Windows 95 and UNIX platforms.

 

Fax International, Inc., Network Applications Department, Burlington, Ma

February 1996 - November  1996

Contract Technical Writer

q       Designed and developed online windows help for Fax International Broadcast application.

q       Designed and developed online windows help for World Wide Document Delivery system.

q       Worked with Software Engineering, Product Operations, and Document Delivery Analyst groups to research, design, and develop the online help systems to help manage and troubleshoot the Fax International network and Oracle database systems.

q       Assisted in design of Corporate Web site, and created image maps for the Fax International Home page, the World Wide Sales offices, and the Human Resource Career site.

q       Created 200 jpg images of Software Engineering department for input into Company Video production effort.

q       Images were shot with a Digital Camera and downloaded to my PC for access and storage.

q       Tools used included MS Word, RoboHelp, Hotspot Editor, Screen Capture Utility, HiJaak Pro, MS Mail, Netscape, HotDog Pro, Mapedit, HTML Assistant, and EZ Photo Digital Camera software.

 

FTP Software, Inc., Internet Products Group, North Andover, Ma

October 1995  - January 1996 

Contract Technical Writer

q       Designed and developed online context-sensitive help for CyberAgent Visual Editor for Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95, and Windows NT networking environments.

q       Documented and produce intelligent Agents, and also included a programming reference for TRAC primitives that helped better manage the network.

q       Tools used included MS Word, RoboHelp, Hotspot Editor, Screen Capture Utility, Mosaic, UNIX, electronic mail.

 

 

 

Avalan Technology, Remote Access Network Applications Group, Holliston, Ma

August 1995 - October 1995

Contract Technical Writer

q       Designed and developed online context-sensitive windows help for 32-bit remote control communication software package for Windows 95 and Windows NT environments.

q       Worked at home office location using Windows 95, Internet/World Wide Web, and Remote Control Communication Software programs.

q       Tools used included MS Word, RoboHelp, Hotspot Editor, Screen Capture Utility, IconWorks, Paint Shop Pro, Netscape browser, Eudora electronic mail.

 

MicroTouch Systems, Inc., Touch Technology Systems Group, Methuen, Ma

June 1995 - October 1995

Contract Technical Writer

q       Designed and developed online context-sensitive windows help for installation application.

q       Designed and developed online context-sensitive windows help for touch screen control panel and pen configuration utilities.

q       Wrote and produced MS Word user documents for MicroTouch products.

q       Tools used included MS Word, RoboHelp, Hotspot Editor, Screen Capture Utility, IconWorks, and PixFolio.

 

Fidelity Investments, Corporate Division, Boston, Ma

March 1995 - May 1995

Contract Technical Writer

q       Designed and wrote the on-line internal World Wide Web help for UNIX-based client/server financial application.

q       Used MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Framemaker, HTML code, Ismap function, FM2HTML converter, UNIX Command Shell, XV, Snapshot, and IconWorks tools.

q       Migrated between MS Windows PC and UNIX Sun platforms to implement this client/server internal web help on Netscape.

 

LAM Research, Engineering Division, Wilmington, Ma

January 1995 - March 1995

Contract Technical Writer

q       Wrote technical procedures to conform to ISO 9000 standards and guidelines.

q       Used MS Word and MS PowerPoint to document and illustrate the wafer industry CAD build and assembly processes and procedures for manufacturing.

 

Compaq Computers (Digital Equipment Corporation), Maynard, Ma

March 1986 - December 1994

Contract/Permanent Technical Writer

q       Developed on-line help for object oriented client server database (Sybase) application for Computer Resources Tracking program.

q       Created help topics with hypertext linking, pop ups, icons for navigational aid, and hotspot graphics.

q       Used tools such as RoboHelp, Hotspot Editor, Screen Capture Utility, IconWorks, PixFolio, and Paint.

q       Provided support in creating and developing information for the Corporate Information Online (CIO) Library on the internal - World Wide Web.