Technical
Writing/Editing and IT Training
I also
have extensive and eclectic experience of writing/editing technical copy for
a wide range of audiences and publications.
Techie
Writing for Sage Software and Domain Name Control Panel
For instance, while working for Sage, I wrote a booklet about domain names
for people who run SMEs. The main aim of this booklet was to show customers
how to operate the control panel for their domain names - you can view a PDF
version (2 MB) or PowerPoint
version (3.5 MB) of this booklet. I also storyboarded and wrote technical instructions for how to use the Sage Web Shop.
Nanotechnology
Technical Writing/Editing
Then while working in the nanotechnology field, I edited (and, when required,
rewrote) 100s of technical documents for the 'A to Z of Nano' website. Listed
below are just three of the articles that I edited/rewrote - visit the Nanotechnology
page to view further examples:
How
to Use Google Analytics and Smarter Stats
In my current post, I recently wrote a document that shows non-techie people
how to apply Google Analytics to their website. To see this document (PDF,
40KB), click
here.
After applying Google Analytics to websites, I've also shown people how to get the best out of the Google Analytics program. Likewise, I've also set up various websites so that people can also view server logs-based statistics for their sites. To see a basic 'How to use the the Smarter Stats Analytics Program' introductory page that I wrote, click here.
Writing User Manuals for CMS
I have also written user manuals for the various Content Management Systems (and email newsletter programs) that I've
used - to view two of these manuals, refer to the IT Training paragraph below.
How to Operate a Webcam
As part of a project to set up a webcam in Glen Clova
(where there was no electricity, let alone a phone-line or a broadband connection!),
I wrote a page of instructions to show people how to get the best out of the webcam. Sadly, this camera was decommissioned in 2019 (it ran from 2010 to 2019) and is no longer in operation.
How to Buy Stuff in a Web Shop (um, from the writing vaults, this one
- but it was needed at one time...)
Back in the day (circa 2000/2001) when folk did not know how to shop online,
I also wrote 'how to shop' web pages. Here is the 'How
to Shop' page that I wrote for the sage.com website.
Writing
User Documentation for the Workplace Post-Grad IT Course
While studying as a post-grad student, one of the modules that I chose was
in 'Technical Writing and User Documentation'. In short, I can write a perfectly
braw ‘If…Then’ statement to match even the most demanding of Boolean statements.
In most of the places I've worked for, I've also had to write documentation
that explains the various technical tasks that I do.
Embellishing
Techie Writing with Spangly Similes (please note that this 'deluxe' service
costs extra)
Further, as a lover of literature, I can (if required) embellish my ‘If…Then’
statements with a suitable and imaginative simile - just to keep the interested
reader ('if there is one' - copyright of Kingsley Amis) engaged.
IT
Training and Writing Training Manuals for CMS
In addition to carrying out various technical writing assignments, I am also
responsible for giving training on the Active Edition Content Management System
(CMS). This work consists of planning, writing and then carrying out a training
session on the CMS. As I think hand-on training is the best way to learn a
new program, I work my way through a logical set of tasks so that by the end
of a 2-hour session, the student is capable of building a standard web page
using the CMS.
If required, I could easily show print-outs of the CMS technical manuals I wrote for Angus Council at an interview.
Technical/Marketing
Reports for Website Performance
I've also written reports that show how a website is performing. The content
for these reports tend to be a mix of technical and marketing/business points,
since the audience was a combination of IT and Marketing/Business folk. As
departmental managers also looked at these reports, I started off with a basic
summary (i.e. an executive summary), so that a basic understanding of how
the website was performing could be gleaned by reading page one. These reports
form part of my print portolio, and they can be looked at and discussed during
the course of a face-to-face interview.
Kodak Brownie 8mm Projector
15-G - User Manual
I'm currently working on a project to digitise all my family's old cine films.
Part of this project involves fixing the motor drive belt on two of the Kodak
Brownie 8mm projectors that I own. As I work on this repair job, I'm also
documenting my work. Once finished, I'll publish this documentation on the
web. For the moment, however, I've digitised the two user manuals that I have
(there are slight differences between the two manuals, which is why I've put
both online), and these manuals are now available to download as two PDF documents:
Consul Matic Projector
F1.5, 8mm - User Manual
This is another 8mm cine projector that I sometimes use.
