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Beth has been a writer all her life. A career in military Beth is currently on the Faculty of Seneca College in Toronto, and freelances. Her personal interests include raising alpacas, singing, quilting, and building an extensive library. Beth is the Manager of the STC Marcom SIG. |
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Phil looks a lot like Lenin. The picture to the right is of course Lenin and not Phil Atkinson. This picture should not be confused with Phil Atkinson even though he looks exactly the same. Phil has got years of experience in documentation, interface design, multimedia authoring and many other things that Max (aka Mike Bygrave) doesn't understand. He has been a technical author for the last seven years (at the same company as Max, who's also joined the Documentation team), and before that he was a data entry clerk. Phil supports Arsenal (mainly to annoy Max). He used to ride mountain bikes and walk up hills but now drinks beer and smokes tabs instead. |
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I live in Birmingham, Alabama, about 15 miles, apparently, from Dan Wise, though we've never met nor conversed. (Small world, eh?) After some college-age meanderings, I hit upon Tech Writing as a profession and have been going strong in it for 13 years now. In early 2001 I ended a 7-year tenure at a terrific job in the computer industry, opting for a similar job in the construction services industry that paid considerably more. (The biggest downer about not job-hopping is annual merit raises usually don't keep up with the raises job-hopping can provide...sigh.) However, things look great here and I hope for another extended run. BIO 2.0: That “extended run” turned out to be an abbreviated walk that ended after 14 months in a downsizing. It sucks when you have a 90% market share…you can’t get revenue from new clients so you have to scramble to earn a living. Anyway, after a 3 month stretch of unemployment and job-hunting, which at the time was painful but in retrospect wasn’t as bad as it might have been, I found work writing doc for software used by healthcare providers and insurers. I’ve been here 4+ years thus far, surviving numerous layoffs and even one sellout of the entire company. While I’m a bit burned out over some aspects of the job, other aspects keep it worth keeping. Plus, I hate even the idea of job-hunting, let alone the actual doing it. Though here on TechComm I’ve a reputation for being a sexually-obsessed asshole, in reality I’m (sadly) one of those “nice guys” who luckily is happily married. We have a 9 year old daughter who is hearing impaired but have no other children. While I admit I'm outspoken and like to keep digging at specific issues perhaps a bit longer than I should, I'm really more of a Moderate than either of the two extremes. If I lean one way, though, it's to the right. However, I have too much heart to toe the literal Libertarian line. I collect the Disorder line of clothing, which saw some popularity in the early 90s but is hard to find today. I’m a huge Phil Hendrie fan and have accumulated more than 17GB of his comedy bits. I’m also a big fan of April Winchell (daughter of Paul Winchell (the voice of Tigger)) and collect her comedy bits. Age:43
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Born: 12 lbs at birth |
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I've had many jobs and many job titles, but the one that seems
to fit the best is Technical Writer. I stumbled on this profession
quite accidentally when I was offered a job as "Technical Editor"
at Eastman Kodak Company. At first I thought it was a hoax, as I
hadn't even applied for the job. A telegram (who sends those anymore?)
showed up with a job offer. It turns out that a VP at EKC wanted
to get a student intern for their tech pubs department and called
one of his professor buddies at my college (Rochester Institute
of Technology), who recommended me. I worked through that summer
as an intern, and liked the job so much that I continued as a contract
tech writer throughout my senior year. The contracts paid so much
that I was able to buy a computer (a CompuColor II with a whopping
32 KB of RAM!) and actually graduated with money in my pocket. Back then Kodak wasn't hiring. They were actually just a few months away from their first layoffs in corporate history. So I turned down a stack of guaranteed writing contacts to take a standard job with paychecks and benefits at Konishiroku Photo, now known as simply as Konica. I worked as a photographic engineer doing technical support, analytic chemistry, computer programming, training, and yes some tech writing. In the 7+ years I was there I have to say I was NEVER bored. I moved to Virginia 15 or so years ago and have been a full time tech writer ever since. I have been a lone writer, one writer among many, and been the manager. All of these several times over. In addition to my writing, I have also dabbled in programming, technical support, and customer training. I feel that all of these have helped to improve my writing skills. Direct customer contact really opens your eyes to what tech writing is really about. Favorites: reading, listening to music (60s, some 70s), roller coasters, OS X, Boston Celtics (I'm not just a fan, I'm an owner!). Turn offs: slow drivers, Windows (the faux operating system, not the clear panes of processed sand), and low stock prices. Family: Married with 3 kids: Matthew (http://homepage.mac.com/tempusfugitive/),
Jessica Home e-mail: TWriter@mac.com |
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I live in the Atlanta metro area and am a Georgia native. After 15 years in teaching at public schools, I expanded my part-time tax business to a low income full-time business. Later, I entered the world of computers as a computer hardware stress tester (I jumped up and down on the boards until they failed), and then moved into technical writing. I've been a technical writer for about 12 years as of late 2001. I moved from computer hardware documentation to software documentation in early 2000. I have a B.A. from Mercer University in Macon, GA, with a double
major in political science and history. I almost had a minor in
philosophy also. I have a M.Ed. in secondary education from the
University of Georgia. Go Dawgs! Age: 54 (aged and wise) |
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Age: Go ahead, ask him -- I dare you! |
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Born: 27 April 1966 |
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André M. Jean Cornellier was born Québec, but through a series of random events has been confined to Europe from many years, where he goes by the codename “John”. While working as a software programmer, he volunteered to write some documentation, and when his boss said “what, you actually like doing this?” a tech writer was born. A desire to return Québec combined with the lack of a decent roadmap has led to a number of international moves (Europe actually being made up of several different countries) including Germany, England, France, Norway, and England, again. Hobbies apart from lurking in TechComm including random number generation and the study of entropy. |
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I am a country songwriter trying to get published. My lyrics fit the melodies I play on the guitar. I am interested in collaboration because sometimes I get stuck on the hook line e.g. choruses, have no problem coming up with the concepts and verses. Why this name? Do you play live? How, do you think, does the internet (or
mp3) change the music industry? Would you still sign a record contract with
a major label? Band History: Your influences? Favorite spot? Equipment used: Anything else...? |
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I have been writing ever since, well, they started teaching me how as a small child. But seriously, I've known since I was about 10 years old that I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. Website: http://teriegarrison.com/ |
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What can I say about myself? What matters? For starters, I'm currently living in Augusta, GA, working for a company that provides software for the community banking industry. Despite no financial background. I'm quickly learning to fake it. I think that's rampant around here. Originally - well, that's the wrong word: I've been everywhere,
so there's no "original" home. I was born in Panama City,
FL, and I've pretty much been in hot water ever since. We moved
around a lot - my father wasn't military; he just hated to stay
in one place for very long (generally speaking, we'd move every
two years). Somehow, we landed in Texas, and in my first nine You'd think that all that moving around would have made me want
to stay in one place, but that didn't happen. I went to Tennesse,
moved back to Alabama, and then back to Tennessee before landing
in Augusta - most of that time was spent in various academic pursuits.
I did actually complete two Other details? Well, I have graced the world by not passing on
my genes yet (I already take up enough room), nor have I ruined
the life of any women by offering her a ring. I do drive a Saturn,
and most people think I'm from outerspace. I also have a dog, a
shih-tzu named Murphy. He thinks he's a cat. The great stability
in my life is my TV and my computer, but I have Name: Jeff Hanvey |
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Shelly Hazard - aka Shel |
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Techcomm webmistress extraordinaire Ex-pat American whose physical body resides in Montreal, but whose spirit is already in London (where it will be joined by her body in 2008). In the past few years I've survived the loss of my daughter (stillborn), marital and financial crisis, premature menopause, and a sprinkling of depression thrown in for good measure (hardly surprising, I guess). Things are finally starting to look up, though, and the future is looking brighter every day. More importantly, I'm starting to enjoy the present with much more relish than I have been. Okay, that was all pretty heavy, but I'm in a very philosophical period, so it couldn't be helped. On the lighter side... What keeps me sane: Chocolate, beer, British TV (e.g. Coronation Street, Little Britain, MonkeyDust, and now Shameless) |
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Denise graduated from the University of Olympia with a PhD in Goddessology, and is the main godess of her own religion: Deniseism. She accepts offerings and sacrifices on alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays, and is available to receive daily offerings of fine chocolate from groveling minions from 9 to 5, 5 days a week. Daring mortals may attempt to engage in witty banter with godess Denise, however, those who are unworthy may find themselves devastated by the godess' sharp tongue. Denise is available for weddings, bar mitzvahs, and the occasional celestial supernova (requires advanced booking and 2 extra boxes of Godiva). There are still a few states where Denise is not wanted, and a
handful more she is not wanted in. |
Our patron Goddess! |
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Originally from the Murray Hill and Princeton, New Jersey area, I was relocated to Portland, Oregon some 6 years ago or so. Career-wise, I am an engineering technician turned technical writer. I hold an A.A.S. in Electrical Engineering, and a B.S. in Management Information Systems, with a major in database systems and logic modeling. When I am not engaged in my trade as a technical writer, I can be found studying and working on the art and craft of photography. When I shoot with color film, I scan the negatives or slides and print in a digital darkroom. When I shoot with black and white film, I develop and print in a traditional darkroom. Age: 30-something plus 10. |
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Age: partly sunny, mid-40s Height: 6-foot even. Add another inch when I use hair gel. Weight: 200-something, trying to get that first digit down to a "1" Status: Married with children. Teenagers. *shudder* Hair color: Mostly grey (see above). Home state: Michigan Current residence: Planet Georgia Geek code: GTW d s:+ a+ C++ UB+++ P-(+) L+ !E--- W++ N o K !w-- O? M++ V- PS+ PE- Y PGP->+ t+@ 5 X+ R(++) tv- b+++ DI+ D G e++ h---- r+++ z++++ Education: Started at Michigan Tech in electrical engineering. Got to second-term electromagnetics, decided I didn't want to do that for a living, and switched majors at the end of my junior year. That cost me an extra year in Siberia, but I managed somehow. Now I just learn as I go. Career: Except for a few months doing ad hoc software development for a local Cromemco dealer, and a few months laid off in 1992, I've been working as a technical writer constantly since September 1982, all of it here on Planet Georgia. Considering a move to video production. Recurring rant: I'm convinced that technical writing is a dying (or at least seriously ill) profession. People don't want to read, and writers don't want to consider changing the way they do things. (Understandably, since our last big change was the Great Stampede from markup to WYSIWYG word processors, and IMO that has hurt us all -- badly -- in the long run.) TV: Since Max Headroom went off the air, I've either ignored TV or actively avoided it for the most part. Movies: I like Michael W. Dean's description of most movies as "stunningly photographed crap." I often end up missing the ones I really want to see, though. The best stuff is timeless (think Three Stooges). Favorite quote: "If they think you're crude, go technical; if they think you're technical, go crude. I'm a very technical boy. So I decided to get as crude as possible. These days, though, you have to be pretty technical before you can even aspire to crudeness." -- William Gibson, Johnny Mnemonic |  |
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I have worked in the world of computer software since 1979, as a software engineer, a technical publications manager, and a senior technical writer. When I was a software engineer, what I enjoyed most was user-interface design. As I made the transition to full-time technical writing, I realized that the documentation was a vital link between the software and its users, and therefore became the ultimate user interface. How I fell into tech writing: I never really wanted to be a tech writer; I didn't even believe I could write at all, and I certainly didn't like it. What I did (and still do) like was shapes, structures, systems, details, and things that fit together in a way that I seem to be able to see clearly when other people just sit around baffled... I also love languages, and words and language in general. Like many other writers, I had some phenomenal English teachers in high school, who taught me the rudiments of English grammar and the structure and history of the language. As I studied French, and later German, Hebrew, and a number of other Semitic languages, I saw more and more of the underlying structure of languages and how words fit together in extremely beautiful and sometimes immensely complex patterns. During high school I also delved deeply into my math courses, absorbing algebra, geometry, logic, trigonometry, and calculus as fast as I could. Again, I loved the shapes, structures, and patterns I was seeing. When I went to college, I became a math major, focusing also on logic and languages (primarily French and German). In my freshman year I took my first (and only) computer course: numerical analysis using FORTRAN, on an IBM 1130 with punch cards. Yes, that was a long time ago. Something happened during that course that shaped my world view and has influenced my career ever since... To learn the rest of the story, go to Martha's website. |
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I've started as a technical writer just over 2 years ago. I've since also been a technical communicator and information developer, all while doing the same job in the same cubicle. I've worked on telco network management software as well as ATM switches. I live and work in Ottawa, ON, but I grew up and
hope to return to Prince Edward Island. |
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Born, raised, and currently living in SoCal. B.S. in mechanical
engineering, Cal Poly (Pomona, Calif) (graduated while I First techwriting project: manual for a strange piece of
software in 1983 or so, done on strange CP/M machine using Wordstar...
Many other manuals and docs created and mangled over the intervening
years, mostly in Ventura. In between creating docs, have done: customer demos (sales support); customer training; software development (bad fit); machine installation, test, calibration and adjustment; and attempted anything else they threw my way. Officially designated "technical writer" about two years ago... Past and occasional interests: hiking, motorcycles (on-highway mostly), atvs, gardening, cars, science fiction, space travel Current interests: growing self, helping others, time with family (wife and daughter), business development (anyone know what a "monstera" is? they grow and produce
here!) some time I will get a web page up with photos of self, family,
treehouse, |
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Who am I? That's a question I ponder on a daily basis. I'm not sure I'm prepared to answer it fully. I can, however, tell you what I am. I'm not a technical writer,
at I attended The Ohio State University, which is located in my home town. It wasn't a school I chose by any means, but one I knew I could afford to put myself through. Some choices we make, and some are made for us. In the summer of 1997, I graduated with honors in English Lit. The degree has done nearly nothing for me. If I could do it all over again, I'd choose something more substantial. Something with a more clearly defined career path. Architect. Engineer. Developer. These degrees have meaning and purpose. English. Well, everything requires reading and writing... it prepares you for everything and nothing. I am two weeks from my 30th birthday, and I live in Florida with a wonderful man who is always too good to me. We have a Golden Retriever/Rhodesian Ridgeback attention whore named Scout. She's sweet and spoiled, and loves nothing more than to sniff everything. We also have a pissed Calico cat named Mida (pronounced Me-dah). I've had Mida since college, and when she isn't puking on our carpet, she's usually curled up somewhere snoring. What I am reading: Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale |
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Freelance tech writer (very available for projects... ping me if you've got any leads for me) and bon vivant from the land of cheese (Wisconsin). I've joined this list after a significant hiatus from techwr-l (nice bunch but a little tightly wound if you ask me). Current project: Looking for a tattoo design to
celebrate mymid-life crisis, something that would be seriously cool
on its own but meaningful to insiders as well. |
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Location: Sacramento, CA |
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A little bit of information about Dan Wise. He was born on July 20, 1934, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Some have referred to this as the zenith of his career and the nadir of his mother's. He did, however, manage to fool the administration of Iowa State University, affectionately known to intelligent people throughout the state as Moo U or Plow Tech, long enough to escape confinement with a BS in Industrial Administration in his hand and the clothes on his back. He evaded recapture by hiding in the laundry room of a Des Moines House of Commercial Affection while the Ladies in Waiting put a smile on the face of the entire posse. Later, having undergone a miraculous conversion, he married his high school sweetie, raised two sons and a daughter, and rose to a senior position in the tech pubs department of his long-time employer, who rewarded him for his years of service by offering him the opportunity to retire with dignity or be kicked out. He chose early retirement as the honorable thing to do, but has since re-entered the world of work as a technical editor for another incredibly gullible firm. Dan is a master of subterfuge, as evidenced by the way he conned the University of Alabama at Birmingham into agreeing to give him an MBA. He also hoodwinked the Society for Technical Communication into awarding him the honor of being named an Associate Fellow in 1995. Dan resides in Homewood, Alabama, and works in Birmingham. He and his wife of 46 years have the aforementioned three children, who have blessed them with 8.25 grandchildren. When asked his career goals, he responded, "I ain't never done no software manuals, I ain't doin' any now, and I don't never want to have to do none." |
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I'm Amber Young. I live in a very backward part of northeast Pennsylvania with my 2 kids and 2 gay, incestuous cats. I used to be a technical writer--it was my dream job--but life has taken me on a weird path, so now I work for my local chapter of the American Red Cross in the development department. How I got that job and where it may lead me I have no idea, but I really like it. I still get to write for it. What can I say about myself? Well, I'm 30-something, a little neurotic, very forgetful, and overly independent. I'm also calm, perfectionistic, generous, spiritual, and addicted to dairy products. My 3 favorite things to do are: eat, sleep, & snuggle with my kids. (If only I could do all 3 at the same time!) My 3 least favorite things to do are: clean, get out of bed in the morning, and good-byes. I love: scalding hot showers, summer, books, food, being in bed, and Eduard. I can't stand: bad smells, being cold, messes, cigarettes, football, and politics. |
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