Re: a few questions

[Marc Santacroce <santa -at- TFS -dot- COM>]

I think you may well get along with MS Publisher if you are doing small
(and basically page layout) projects. Many projects can be managed just
fine wih MS WOrd, but for complex products with many changes, you'll have
to go with something like FrameMaker. A good indication is to check the
requirements posted for Tech Writer Jobs. I'll enclose a sample for you
from the San Francisco Bay area. Best wishes:

TECHNICAL WRITER

     Walker Interactive Systems currently has two open positions for
     technical writers, to fill immediately. One position is for fulltime
     contract and one is for fulltime permanent. The contract position is
     for 2/95-6/15/95, possibly longer.

     Required skills:
     Knowledge of FrameMaker 4.0 on PC
     Experience writing GUI manuals
     Working as part of a team with minimal supervision

     Pluses, but not required:
     Experience writing online help with RoboHelp
     Any knowledge of accounting

     Send resume to Elizabeth Hackney, Walker Interactive Systems, Inc.
     Marathon Plaza Three North, 303 2nd Street, San Francisco, CA 94107,
     or fax to: (415)957-1711. No phone calls please.

Tech writer wanted

Writer wanted for 2 month contract onsite in Cupertino.  Macintosh - Word,
Excel, Draw - to do some operations procedures and graphics.

Call Meryl Natchez, Tech PRose  510 975-0660


Editing position

Short contracting position, approx. 1week start no later than 2/13/95.
Location:San Ramon
Help edit an RFP,  put document together etc.
Work needs to be done on-site.  Rate: Flexible  1099 or W-2 ok
Client is using MS Word 6.0

Send resume to Zen Systems, Inc.   Fax (415)331-7674 Attn:Michele
email ZENMICHELE -at- AOL -dot- COM,     ph# (415)331-8500


2 POSITIONS W SHAREDATA

Contact:        Scott Knowles
                190 Sobrante Way -- 100
                Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2409
                408-746-3666 x 242

                email: sknowles -at- netcom -dot- com

                Candidates should send their resumes by email or by
                regular mail.

Company:        ShareData develops and publishes software for
                administering equity compensation plans (such as
                stock option plans). Their software platforms are
                MS-DOS and Windows. ShareData also helps customers
                stay abreast of changing government regulations
                that pertain to equity compensation.ShareData is
                a growing, privately held company. It has been in
                business for 10 years, and enjoys excellent
                customer relations.

SHAREDATA POSITION 1 ---  DOC MANAGER

Position:       This is a hands-on position. The manager will do
                a lot of writing, of manuals or of help text,
                along with guiding the work of a few other writers
                and production assistants.

Required:       Experience as a documentation group manager.
                Experience developing documentation for a
                consumer audience. Familiarity with at least one
                tool for creating on-line help.

Also Desired:   Experience with financial, legal, or regulatory
                materials. Expertise with Windows Help
                development tools.

Opportunity:    This is a new position. This manager will make
                a difference in shaping the role of the doc
                group within the company.

                ShareData is also recruiting a hands-on Software
                Test Group manager. If you have experience in both
                documentation and testing, ShareData is willing to
                entertain a proposal to create a Director-level
                position, managing Doc and Test, rather than having
                individual managers for both groups.

SHAREDATA POSITION 2 --- TECHNICAL WRITER

Position:       Write user manuals and on-line help.

Required:       Minimum of three years of professional technical
                writing experience. Additionally, you must have
                written at least one manual from start (planning
                stages) to finish, or you must have planned and
                written at least one Windows-based help system.

Also Desired:   Experience with financial, legal, or regulatory materials.


Technical Writer - Sacramento

The Situation:  You will be the first hire of a new Marketing Communications
group at a small, fast growing  semiconductor company in Sacramento.  We're
in the process of changing or creating new and better ways to get our work
done.

New hardware platforms, software programs, upgrading document formats,
dealing with old document files, vendors, and better procedures for
supporting
other groups are a few things we're working on.

What We Expect of You:  To use your experience in semiconductors,
telecommunications and/or networking to create and maintain the best (from
our customer's point of view) technical and support documentation.  To use
your
initiative to develop and recommend better formats, procedures and efficient
ways of getting the job done.  To be a fun person with work with (we promise
we'll try to do the same).

What You Get to Do: Work with the Publications Manager and directly with the
Engineering and Product Marketing people to create, revise and write all
types
of technical documentation which will range from helping our customers more
easily comprehend and design-in our telecom and networking semiconductors to
sales aids which positively differentiate our chips from the competition.

Experience You Need:  Minimum 3 - 5 years of writing tech docs for PCBs, ICs
and/or chip sets. Knowing how to make FrameMaker and drawing/illustration
software turn and burn on a PC gets you extra points.  Having chip-level
knowledge of the telecom, datacom or LAN/WAN systems scores you bonus points.


FAX YOUR RESUME TO WALT BRENNAN at (916) 854-1102
or email to wbrennan -at- level1 -dot- com

Marketing Coordinator Staff Position

     Thorburn Associates, an acoustical and audio/visual design engineering
     firm, needs a marketing coordinator to help organize trade shows and
     proposal production.

     Call Pam at 510/886-7826 for more details. FAX resume to 510/886-7828

CONTRACT TECHNICAL WRITER


EXECUTIVE DIRECTION CONSULTING has a contract position
available for a strong TECHNICAL WRITER who has done ON-
LINE DOCUMENTATION.  The contract is in downtown San
Francisco for 3 months with an immediate start date.
Off-site work will be limited and no writing tool has yet
been chosen, so you can probably have some imput there.

HARD COPY OF RESUME PREFERRED but you can E-Mail or fax
and follow up with a hard copy.

Please send to

JUDY COOK
Executive Direction Consulting
369 Pine Street, Suite 350
San Francisco, CA 94104

fax:   415.956.5186
voice: 415.394.5500 x138
email: edi -at- netcom -dot- com


Senior Technical Writer

RESPONSIBILITIES:
To plan, develop, and update customer hardware and operation and
configuration manuals. To contribute to CD documentation projects.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required are at least five years of technical writing experience, preferably
in tele- and data communications hardware and software products, including
wide
and local area network technologies and network management software; college
degree in a technical area related to data communications or
telecommunications or in English or journalism; excellent writing skills and
attention to detail;
ability and desire to understand highly technical concepts; mastery of
FrameMaker; ability to work independently or on a team in all phases of the
documentation development cycle; adept at juggling priorities and setting
goals; and effective interpersonal skills. Plusses knowledge of UNIX and Sun
workstations; experience with CD documentation, on-line help, and
cross-platform development issues; and experience with usability testing.

CONTACT PERSON:
David Trousdale
Manager, Technical Publications
Network Equipment Technologies, Inc.
800 Saginaw Drive
Redwood City CA
Direct: 415.780.7787
Fax: 415.780.5580
E-mail: davidt -at- net -dot- com

COMPANY:
Network Equipment Technologies, headquartered in Redwood City, CA (NYSE:
NWK), is the premier worldwide supplier of multiservice backbone networks for
information-intensive enterprises and network service providers.  The company
has networks installed in more than 50 countries.

**** This is a permanent position.  Contractors need not apply. **


Tech Writer Wanted-Alameda

Title: Technical Writer
Location: Farallon Computing, Alameda, CA
Report to: Director of Product Marketing
Salary: Commensurate with experience

Objective: Write and produce quality user manuals for networking hardware
products.

Primary Responsibilities:

-       Gather information from using product, talking to engineers, reading
        trade journals and books, and other sources.

-       Develop an outline and write all drafts. Work with editor and product
        team to review all drafts.

-       Use desktop publishing software to layout and produce camera-ready art.

-       Create tables and screenshots using Macintosh applications.


-       Actively participate in every phase from initial organization to
        finished camera-ready artwork.

-       Provide feedback to programmers and engineers to improve user interface
and product features.

-       Create or help engineers create screens for online help.

-       Work closely with technical support, engineering, marketing, sales, and
        other departments.

-       Attend relevant conferences and events, and demonstrate products at
trade shows.

Background:

o  3-5 years experience in writing documentation. Relevant background
experience may include technical support, instructional design, training, or
related position.

o  Experience laying out books on the Macintosh, preferably using FrameMaker
and PageMaker. Familiarity with illustration software such as Illustrator &
Canvas or SuperPaint helpful but not essential.

o  Knowledge of personal computer software and hardware, especially about
network design. Internet experience helpful.

Questions? Contact Alice Gallagher by phone at 510/814-5483 or via the
Internet at aliceg -at- farallon -dot- com -dot- 

Send resumes to
Farallon Computing, Inc.
2470 Mariner Square Loop
Alameda, CA 94501
Attn: Georganne Benesch


SENIOR TECHNICAL WRITER

Leading Information Systems developer for higher education is seeking a
Senior Technical Writer. Qualified candidates have proven experience
developing Windows Help, technical documentation, and end-user software
documentation. Desktop publishing, instructional design, and CBT development
experience helpful, but not required. Send resume with writing samples and
salary requirements to TRG, Inc. 2929 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85012 or
FAX resume and salary requirements to (602)263-4200.


Tech Writing Openings

Our Contra Costa Client Company is looking for  Technical Writing
professionals with software  end user manuals.  Positions exist for  Tech
Writers, Sr. Tech Writers and a Manager.  This is a stae of the art
environment wher you will learn leading edge technologies like client
server and  CASE.


FAX Dave Flansbaum @ 510-672-5495
Then call @ 510-672-0495
Please include current compensation and what
parts of the Bay Area you will consider.
Note:I'll contact you first before contacting
 any of our client companies on your behalf.

I'm sorry, but we have no entry level positions.


TECHNICAL WRITER

Leading Bay Area based computer software company has an immediate
opening for a TECHNICAL WRITER to develop on-line/help text and
paper-based end user documentation for software products.

Requires 3-5 yrs experience documenting software products on midrange
and/or PC platforms.  Editorial history with a focus on creation,
development, and production of on-line software documentation/help
text preferred.

We are a fun company who offers an excellent work environment.  Send
or fax resume AND salary requirements to: T.W. Carda, P.O. Box 271175,
Concord, CA  94527 (510) 602-3189.


SYNERGISTECH LEADS

This week, Synergistech Communications has the following technical
communications opportunities:

1.  Contract Sw Technical Writer, 3 months, Alameda, 1099
2.  Three Staff Hardware Writers, peninsula
3.  Three Staff Networking Technical Writers, peninsula
4.  Contract Illustrator, Brief Project, South Bay (1099, mostly offsite)
5.  Contract Cartoonist for Multimedia Project, 3 months, 1099 basis
6.  End-User Documentation Manager, mid-Peninsula
7.  Contract Editor, Part-time, Marin
8.  Two Senior Manufacturing Applications Software Writers, East Bay
9.  Two Lead Technical Writers, staff, East Bay on BART
10. Two Staff Editors, mid-Peninsula
11. Staff Editor/Writer, mid-Peninsula
12. Two Staff Sr. Tech Writers, Peninsula
13. Contract Tech Writer/Trainer, Online Help & Printed Doc, Pen. (pt
offsite)
14.  Staff Jr. Tech Writer to create Windows Online Help (mostly offsite)
15. Staff Mid- to Senior Technical Writer, Networking Company, Alameda
16. Technical Publications Manager, Networking Company, Alameda
17. Staff Sr. Technical Writer, prosperous startup, Alameda
18. Senior End-User Hardware Writer, established Networking company, Alameda

Outlines of responsibilities follow. See instructions at the end to learn
more.

1. Contract Sw Technical Writer, 3 months, Alameda
--------------------------------------------------
Fast-paced Alameda startup needs contract tech writer to document complex
software for system administrators and programmers. Requires FrameMaker and
experience with client/server applications, and (ideally) Windows NT and/or
OS/2. Lucrative, 1099-basis work.

2. Three Staff Hardware Writers, peninsula
------------------------------------------
Multitask on multiple projects with engineering, editorial, and illustration
teams. Help overhaul documentation strategy, manuals' organization,
distribution alternative. Produce doc plans, drafts, final masters. Potential

team lead role. 2-5 yrs' hardware doc experience, FrameMaker, UNIX preferred.

3. Three Staff Networking Technical Writers, peninsula
------------------------------------------------------
Bring your demonstrated hardware and software doc experience to this new
Networking Pubs group. Develop and revise print & online doc w/ FrameMaker in

UNIX environment. Requires 2-6 years' documenting hw & sw (mostly sw) for
technical audiences and as a productive member of a multifacetted team.

4. Contract Illustrator, Brief Project, South Bay (1099, mostly offsite)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Very short contract opportunity for an illustrator with Adobe Illustrator and

PhotoShop experience. Work should take 3 days max, can be done offsite and
spread over 2 weeks. Produce 3-4 conceptual illustrations for exciting new
hw/sw product for end users. 1099 basis.

5. Contract Cartoonist for Multimedia Project, 3 months, 1099
-------------------------------------------------------------
Contract cartoonist to bring to life the main character of client's upcoming
child-oriented multimedia software title. Demonstrate your print-based work
and render their character; they'll teach the right person their software
tools and give you an entree into commercial multimedia animation.

6. End-User Documentation Manager, mid-Peninsula
------------------------------------------------
Exciting and lucrative chance to manage all aspects of existing end
user-oriented publications group for a successful young company. Manage both
staff and contract writers, localization, online help, all aspects of
hardcopy
production. Must have produced shrink-wrapped product for Macintosh and/or
Windows end users.

7. Contract Editor, Part-time, Marin
------------------------------------
Part-time contract editor to copyedit, revise, and perform developmental
edits
on corporate communications-related collateral -- newletters, press releases,

etc. -- for an exciting, fast-paced software company in Marin. 2-3 days/week.

8. Two Senior Manufacturing Applications Software Writers, East Bay
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Create printed and online documentation for applications software. Join
young,
profitable, high-energy company on the 680 corridor.

9. Two Lead Technical Writers, staff, East Bay on BART
------------------------------------------------------
Lead a team of 5-7 tech writers developing printed and online documentation
for this company's client-server accounting and payroll applications.

10. Two Staff Editors, mid-Peninsula
------------------------------------
Help this large mid-peninsula company enforce the documentation standards set

out in its award-winning style guide. Use FrameMaker under UNIX.

11. Staff Editor/Writer, mid-Peninsula
--------------------------------------
Similar to the above positions, but also taking responsibility for rewriting
technical documentation for sophisticated users of UNIX-based applications.

12. Two Staff Sr. Tech Writers, Peninsula
-----------------------------------------
Join small writing team to document parallel-processing database technology.
Create printed doc & marketing materials, and publish material on this
company's World Wide Web server.

13. Contract Tech Writer/Trainer, Online Help & Printed Doc, Pen. (pt
offsite)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Create internal FrameMaker-based doc and training material (and perhaps
online
demos) for a new SGML-based authoring tool. SGML experience a strong plus.

14. Staff Jr. Tech Writer to create Windows Online Help (mostly offsite)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Junior writer required to create online help for startup company's Windows
GUI
to IBM mainframe-based applications.

15. Staff Mid- to Senior Technical Writer, Networking Company, Alameda
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Create printed doc for technical audience. Ideally, you have a background in

networking hardware manufacturing environment. Fast-paced, very profitable
young company.

16. Technical Publications Manager, Networking Company, Alameda
---------------------------------------------------------------
Ground-floor opp for tech pubs manager with networking industry experience.
Create printed (and soon online) doc for technical audience, build
department.

17. Staff Sr. Technical Writer, prosperous startup, Alameda
-----------------------------------------------------------
Senior tech writer to document workflow software for technical users.
Ideally,
you'll be familiar with Windows, OS/2, SQL, and/or NetWare. Project
management
experience preferred.

18. Senior End-User Hardware Writer, established Networking company, Alameda
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document new hardware product that provides unsurpassed usability in WAN
connectivity. Audience is not technical. Use FrameMaker on PowerMacs or PCs
(your choice).

* * *

HOW TO LEARN MORE
Listing complete details for each of these jobs/contacts here would take too
much space and quickly become tiresome. To get a FULL DESCRIPTION of any of
these opportunities (together with salary/rate information) and to be
notified
as soon as I learn about others, please ask to have your name added to my
electronic mail distibution list. It's free, quick, and simple.

If you're interested in -- and qualified for -- any of these opportunities,
please send your resume (and a note indicating which job/contract appeals)
to:

        Andrew Davis
        Synergistech Communications
        1824 Byron Avenue
        San Mateo, CA  94401
        tel:    (415) 344-2141
        fax:    (415) 344-5664
        email:  adavis -at- netcom -dot- com

Principals only, please.


San Jose-TWR-OS2, WINDOWS, TECH.WRITING

LOCATION  : South Bay
START DATE:
PAY RATE  :
LENGTH    : 2 Months

COMMENTS: PLEASE FAX OR MAIL HARD COPY OF RESUME.
          Technical writer with the following skills:  Windows and OS/2
          knowledge, good general PC knowledge, experience writing "on
          line" documentation.  Information Presentation Facility (IPF)
          knowledge.

CONTACT:

     DPI Services, Inc.                      Mary-Ann Simmons
     151 Martinvale Lane                        Voice:  (408) 629-3700 X241
     San Jose, CA 95119                         Fax:    (408) 629-0141
     Email:mary-ann_simmons -at- dpisvcs -dot- com


San Jose-TWR-online doc

LOCATION  : south bay
START DATE: asap/to be det
PAY RATE  : $20.00 per hour
LENGTH    : 1 month +

COMMENTS: if you have exp with online documentation in filemaker pro and
          can do quote, scheduling, production etc on a mac and have a
          multimedia background, please fax your resume to me with the ID
          # on it. Onsite/offsite possibility.


CONTACT:

     LLOYD, RITTER & ASSOCIATES           ACCT REP:  SHIRLEY BRISSON
     1043 N SHORELINE BLVD #101            PHONE #:  (415) 964-6644
     MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA  94043                FAX #:  (415) 964-8719


San Jose-TWR-MVS,IBM: MF 30XX,4XXX,TECH WR

LOCATION  : South Bay
START DATE:
PAY RATE  : Market Rate
LENGTH    : 6 mos.

COMMENTS: Maintain current documentation and write new documentation for
          client's products.  Requires mainframe, MVS and Word 2.90
          knowledge.  PC and Book Manager knowledge a plus.
          REQUIRED SKILLS:  MVS, IBM:  MF 30XX, 4XXX, TECHNICAL WRITING.
          DESIRED SKILLS:  IBM PC.

CONTACT:

     DPI Services, Inc.                      Debbie Skeen
     151 Martinvale Lane                        Voice:  (408) 629-3700 X243
     San Jose, CA 95119                         Fax:    (408) 629-0141
     Email:debbie_skeen -at- dpisvcs -dot- com


San Jose-TWR-MF HW, SW/LAN/FrameMaker


LOCATION  : San Francisco South Bay
START DATE: ASAP
PAY RATE  : Open
LENGTH    : 6-8 wks. +

COMMENTS: Write mainframe/LAN software installation for VM environment.
          Knowledge of VM or MVS, importing and exporting data records,
          etc.  Offsite ok.  Fairly tight time schedule. Please call and
          mail/fax resume; no e-mail.

CONTACT:

     CAMPBELL-MARRICH, INC.                            CAROLE FLORIAN
     3375 Scott Blvd.,Suite 130, Santa Clara, CA 95054 Tel: 408-980-1999
     E-Mail: cminc -at- ix -dot- netcom -dot- com                       Fax: 408-980-8331


San Jose-TWR-IPF, BASIC WORK STATION


LOCATION  : SAN JOSE CA
START DATE: 02/06/95
PAY RATE  : OPEN
LENGTH    : 04/15/95

COMMENTS: C.T.G. HAS AN EXCELLENT TECH WRITER POSITION FOR 2.5 MONTHS.
          REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION ARE EXPERIENCE WITH BOOKMASTER,
          IPF,BASIC WORK STATION, KNOWLEDGE OF RELATIONAL DB, AND
          DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS.  PLEASE CONTACT THE HIRING MANAGER TAMRA
          SHORR AT 510-735-0953.


CONTACT:

     COMPUTER TASK GROUP, INC.                        Tony Wallace  x302
     1507 LBJ Freeway, Suite 140                      TEL: (800) 345-7782
     Dallas, TX  75234                                FAX: (800) 549-1636


San Jose-TWR-FrameMaker UNIX Open-Windows

LOCATION  : San Francisco South Bay
START DATE: end of Feb 1995
PAY RATE  : $35+ depending upon status/skl
LENGTH    : 3 months

COMMENTS: Contract Technical Writer to write 1-2 manuals ~ 100 pages of
          information contained in a developers kit.

          Must be self-supervising, work well within a marketing type
          environment and have excellent communication skills.

CONTACT:

===============
At  8:14 AM 2/24/95 -0600, Karen Henriksen wrote:
>I want to first of all thank the people who responded to my question about the
>online job list.

>My questions for today are:
>1.  I have been reading about software that I have never heard of before, and
>I am afraid that the software that I have learned on isn't going to make me
>marketable when graduation rolls around in December.  So, in your opiniions
>will Word 6.0 and Microsoft publisher help when I hit the real world? Or are
>there others that I should have a general understanding of?

>2.  Are several internships and courses that were high in copy editing,
>layout, and researching enough experiecnce to go along with an English major
>and Science&Technical writing minor?

>If you couldn't tell I'm starting to get very nervous about graduating, and I
>would love some advice from the pros.

>karen
>he212729 -at- student1 -dot- uwsp -dot- edu

Regards,

Marc



M_a_r_c_ A. _S_a_n_t_a_c_r_o_c_e_________________________
Technical Writer/Trainer
TRW Financial Systems, Inc.
300 Lakeside Dr.
Oakland, CA 94612-3540
santa -at- tfs -dot- com     santacroce -at- aol -dot- com

"An idiot with a computer is a faster, better idiot"
                                       - Rich Julius