Alia Michaels

Profile

As an independent contractor, I have more than fifteen years of experience 
writing online help systems, writing and editing technical documentation, 
and developing training materials.

Contracting Specialities

Develop, update, and revise WinHelp and HTML Help online help systems 
for Windows applications using RoboHELP Office.
Develop, update, and revise HTML-based online help systems for 
Web-based applications and Internet companies using RoboHTML.
Develop Apple Help (HTML-based) content for Mac OS applications.
Write and edit end-user software manuals, hardware Quick Start guides,
and other documentation. 
Design and develop small Web sites.

Project Overviews
Over the past fifteen years I have:

Organized, written, and edited Apple Guides (pre-Mac OS 8.6 online 
help), WinHelp, HTML Help, and HTML-based help including product 
guides, tutorials, and marketing pieces for various software products.
(Nova Development Corporation, Apple Computer, Inc. and other companies)
Written and revised user manuals for software products. (Nova Development Corporation)
Written and revised installation guides and other materials for 
hardware products. (NETGEAR, Inc.)
Updated, revised, and edited technical training material. (Apple Computer, Inc.)
Developed content for an Internet-based training Web site. (Apple Computer, Inc.).
Developed leader-led courses and interactive training materials. (Apple Computer, Inc.).
Documented product design development procedures. (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.).
Developed an orientation class for new engineers. (Intel Corp.)


Skills and Strengths

Experienced Mac OS and Windows user.
Experienced writer using the Apple Style Guide and Microsoft
Manual of Style.
Knowledgeable user of: Microsoft Word; Adobe InDesign,  
 GoLive, and FrameMaker; QuarkXPress; and Macromedia RoboHELP Office. 
Familiar with: Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Jasc Paint Shop Pro, 
and other image-editing software.  
Experienced with HTML code.
Experienced with integrating graphics and text for multimedia-related 
projects.
Learn new information quickly and can translate it appropriately to a 
specified audience.
Understand technical information.
Work well independently or as part of a project team.

Work Experience

Freelance Technical Writer: Web site development, course development, 
online help systems, documentation, desktop publishing, editing, 
and special projects
Field Support Engineer: Hewlett-Packard Co., General Systems Division, Cupertino, CA
Software Design Engineer: Hewlett-Packard Co., Santa Clara Division, Santa Clara, CA
Associate Engineer: Lockheed Missile and Space Co., Sunnyvale, CA

Education

MA, Holy Names College, Oakland, CA
graduate study in Electrical Engineering and Engineering Management, 
 Stanford University, Stanford, CA
BS Mathematics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Copyright(c) 1997-2002 Alia Michaels and The Software Contractors' Guild, Post Office Box 257, Nottingham, NH USA 03290-0257