Alia Michaels

Freelance Technical Writer

techwriter [at] aliamm [dot] com

http://www.aliamm.com  •  http://www.linkedin.com/in/aliamichaels/

Profile

As an experienced freelance technical writer, I work remotely to develop documentation for desktop and web-based applications.

My major contracts have involved:

• writing task-based online help content and tutorials for desktop (for both Windows and macOS), and cloud-based applications.
• organizing and writing end-user documentation (user guides, getting started guides, and other end-user documentation) for desktop, iOS-based, and cloud-based applications.
• converting, editing, or updating content for existing documentation — both for print and online delivery.
• developing leader-led, computer-based (CBT) and web-based (WBT and CMS/LMS) training (with job aids).
• creating installation guides and user manuals for networking hardware.
• designing, developing and maintaining small web sites.

See http://www.aliamm.com for details and samples. See http://www.linkedin.com/in/aliamichaels/ for recommendations.

Skills and Strengths

• Experienced Windows and Macintosh user.
• Experienced technical writer using the Microsoft Manual of Style, the Apple Publications Style Guide and company style guides.
• Knowledgeable user of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint; Adobe Acrobat, FrameMaker, InDesign, and RoboHELP; MadCap Flare: QuarkXPress; TechSmith SnagIt and Camtasia; and Articulate Storyline. Familiar with Adobe Captivate and iBooks Author.
• Familiar with standard graphics programs (such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and other drawing, graphics and screen-capture and screen-recording programs).
• Familiar with other common programs including presentation software, database software, CMS/LMS solutions, spreadsheets, HTML editors and web design programs, and a range of utilities.
• Familiar with HTML code, current web design standards and cascading style sheets.
• Integrate graphics and text effectively for multimedia-related projects.
• Learn new information quickly and can translate information appropriately for an audience.
• Understand technical information.
• Work with minimal supervision (alone or with a project team).

Work Experience

• Freelance Technical Writer developing task-based online help systems, end-user documentation, and web sites. Also, I have technical editing and course development experience.
• 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

• www.lynda.com courses in web design, CSS and new web technologies.
• Designing and Teaching in eLearning Environments, graduate-level course in the Information and Learning Technologies program, University of Colorado, Denver, CO
• Distance Education Certificate from Continuing Education at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
• MA, Holy Names College, Oakland, CA
• Graphic design courses through UC Santa Cruz Extension
• Graduate study in Electrical Engineering and Engineering Management, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
• BS Mathematics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA