JX Bell
Technology • Communication • Design

San Francisco, CA 94117 | (415) 462-0558 | jx@jxconsulting.com
 
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JX Bell 
2261 Market St. #500, San Francisco, CA 94114 

Email: jx@jxconsulting.com 
Tel: (415) 462-0558
Resume:  http://www.jxconsulting.com/resume
Technical writing portfolio:  http://www.jxconsulting.com/portfolio


SUMMARY ____________________________________________________________________

Technical writer and technical editor with 12 years experience. Programmer
with 27 years experience. Clients include 3Com, Palm, Apple Computer,
Electronic Arts, MapQuest, AOL, Openwave Systems, Guidewire Software.
Experience includes FrameMaker, Quadralay WebWorks, XML, Windows, Macintosh,
UNIX, Word, HTML, XML, Dreamweaver,  C/C++, Java, Visio, graphic design,
art, photography, and more. 

Available for a permanent or contract position for onsite, offsite, or mix,
anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area. Other cities are possible with
telecommuting. Currently maintaining general liability insurance and health
insurance for contract work.


TECHNICAL SKILLS ___________________________________________________________

Operating Systems: Windows, Macintosh, Mac OS, Mac OS X, UNIX, Linux, VMS,
 Newton OS, Palm OS. 

Computer Languages: C, C++, Java, BASIC, Visual Basic (VB/VBA), FrameScript,
 Perl, CFML (ColdFusion), AppleScript, NewtonScript, Pascal, FORTRAN, Prolog, 
 Lisp, Scheme, 68000 Assembler, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Visual Basic (VB), JSP, 
 ASP, ASP.NET, PHP, ADP, XML, XSLT.

Software: FrameMaker, Quadralay WebWorks, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Office, 
 Adobe Acrobat, Dreamweaver, FreeHand, Fireworks, Photoshop, FileMaker Pro, 
 ColdFusion, Perforce, BBEdit, RoboHelp, and many more. 

EDUCATION __________________________________________________________________

Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 
 Bachelors degree, 1993. Full double major in Computer Science and Religion. 
 Awarded the Dartmouth Kemeny Computing Prize for coding style and design.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ____________________________________________________

Technical Writing Consultant @ Guidewire Software
 Wrote documentation that describes how to integrate a leading software
 package for the insurance industry with legacy business software systems.
 The Integration Guide included detailed programmer-oriented API (SDK)
 documentation for using the clients API with Java/JSP, Web Services (W3C
 SOAP protocol), Windows .NET, Apache Axis, and XML. Customers used this
 documentation to integrate claims-management systems with legacy policy
 management systems, write and deploy custom Java plug-in code, connect to
 databases, import and extract data, authenticate using custom Java
 plug-ins, integrate custom code with the application user interface, and
 integrate remote Web Services with the claims-management framework. 
 Designed (and implemented) a custom PDF and HTML documentation publishing
 system using FrameScript, FrameMaker, and other tools; it created
 documentation for multiple products as a "single source" publishing 
 solution and generated custom daily validation reports for each writer.
 San Mateo, CA, 7/2005-present

Technical Writing and Graphic Design Consultant @ Cisco Systems
 Designed a suite of twelve diagrams describing the Cisco Digital Media 
 System (DMS) architecture  and deployment options. The DMS is a highly-
 distributed video streaming and VOD (Video-on-demand) system consisting 
 of various Cisco networking products that encode, publish, and distribute 
 video over the Internet to a platform-independent consumer video portal. 
 Cisco uses the diagrams to train internal engineers, sales and marketing 
 teams, and eventually will be in external white papers.
 San Jose, CA, 7/2006-8/2006

Senior Technical Writer (and Project Lead) @ Openwave Systems
 Designed and wrote documents detailing user interface flow for an
 industry-leading mobile software company. Design project required
 creating a visual language acceptable to internal and external audiences
 with widely varying technical knowledge and needs. Tools included
 Microsoft Visio combined with a custom-written suite of Visual Basic for
 Applications macros (VBA code) for documentation management and
 sophisticated intra-document hyperlinks. Wrote PERL scripts to parse
 proprietary XML source code files to extract icon information. Delivered 
 5 documents in 17"x11" format, as printed documentation, interactive 
 color PDFs, and interactive Web/HTML format. Supervised a team of 2 
 additional consultants helping the project. Wrote technical content 
 describing customizable mobile Web/WAP browser software used in half 
 billion phones worldwide, and a customizable e-mail/SMS/MMS/SMIL 
 messaging system based on OMA (Open Mobile Alliance) standards, 
 phone-desktop synchronization, multimedia content management,
 and customizable memory management. The documentation tools customized 
 exports for different audiences, such as internal engineers (more 
 programming & API details) versus specific external licensees (some 
 information censored). Custom scripts that I wrote took text strings 
 from the Openwave source code and overrode diagram text with 
 licensee-specific text changes and/or translated the documentation into 
 one of many supported languages (Spanish, French, Japanese, and others).
 Redwood City, CA, 8/2004-6/2005

Technical Writer @ Inquisant Solutions
 Prototyped a "quick start" manual for a consumer software product using
 Macromedia (eHelp) RoboHelp and Adobe Acrobat. Wrote a Frequently Asked
 Questions (FAQ) document for new customers using consumer-oriented image
 organization and photo publishing software.
 Fremont, CA, 8/2004-9/2004 

Senior Technical Writer @ AOL, MapQuest division
 Wrote documentation for developer tools (SDKs). Content included
 installation, configuration, programming guide, and API reference. Target
 media included print and online documentation. Languages/interfaces
 included Java, C++, Visual Basic, ASP, ASP.NET (ASPX), COM, and ADP.
 Platforms included Solaris (UNIX), Linux, and Microsoft
 Windows 98/NT/2000/XP. One of the programming manuals was for a Web service
 that relies on the open standards XML and XSLT. Tools included Adobe
 FrameMaker, Microsoft Word, Macromedia FreeHand, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe
 Acrobat, Microsoft Visual Studio (including Visual C++), Microsoft SQL
 server, MySQL, and Quadralay WebWorks Professional 2003 for FrameMaker. 
 Mountville, PA, 4/2003-8/2004
 
Web Designer, Marketing Communications Writer @ Surplus Mobility
 Designed new Web sites and marketing materials. Tasks included technical
 writing, marketing communications, graphic design, and Web production.
 Tools included Macromedia Dreamweaver and Fireworks, Adobe Photoshop, and
 BBEdit.
 Philadelphia, PA, 3/2003-present 
 
Asset Specification Writer @ Electronic Arts - Maxis division 
 Researched, designed, and wrote specifications using architectural
 terminology. These confidential design documents (2 to 27 pages), written
 in Microsoft Word for Windows XP, defined contractual requirements for
 external 3D CAD artists.
 Walnut Creek, CA, 5/2002-8/2002 
 
Sex Educator, Database Consultant, Web Designer @ San Francisco Sex Information 
 Wrote detailed, accurate, non-judgmental information about sex, based on
 extensive training about medical and psychological research. Managed Web
 site. Edited content from others for e-mail and Web. Designed and
 implemented databases, including a call reporting database and a Web
 content management system, using FileMaker Pro and AppleScript on MacOSX.
 Co-supervised a public phone switchboard, spending many hundreds of hours 
 answering questions about safe healthy human sexuality from people with 
 diverse age, education levels, and communication skills. As a supervisor, 
 helped train new switchboard staff.
 San Francisco, CA, 10/2001-8/2006 
 
Platform Communications Consultant @ 3Com and Palm 
 Wrote and edited programmer-level (API / SDK) information and business
 development copy for Palm OS mobile (PDA) platform developers. Most of the
 writing was for the Web using HTML, CSS, and Dreamweaver. 
 Santa Clara, CA, 3/1999-8/2001 
 
Web Engineering Consultant @ 3Com and Palm 
 Programmed dynamic content (CGI, PERL, ColdFusion, JavaScript). Consulted
 on technical problems and company-wide Web infrastructure integration
 issues. Used Dreamweaver UltraDev, Fireworks, TeamSite, ColdFusion, BBEdit
 on Mac OS, Windows, and implemented dynamic Web site scripts (CGIs) on
 Windows NT and Sun Solaris (UNIX) using ColdFusion, Oracle, and SQL Server.
 Santa Clara, CA, 3/1999-8/2001 
 
Developer Technical Support Engineer @ Apple Computer 
 Wrote programmer-level (API and SDK) documents, researched programmer
 problems, wrote technical presentations, wrote interim documentation, and
 edited extensive technical copy for our group. Designed content management
 database and publishing system for Web site, PDF format, and CD-ROM using
 FileMaker Pro, AppleScript, and my own custom C++ code. In addition to
 internal writing, a technical journal published four articles I wrote
 related to this job. Used C++, NewtonScript, Windows, Mac OS, Newton OS,
 MPW, Metrowerks CodeWarrior, and Microsoft PowerPoint.
 Cupertino, CA, 6/1993-9/1998 
 
Software Engineer @ Apple Computer
 Wrote Macintosh and Windows code to exchange information between handheld
 (PDA) and desktop Windows and Macintosh computers via serial and network
 communications protocols. Assisted in code related to communications,
 scripting, and user interface. Used C++, Windows, Mac OS, Newton OS,
 AppleScript, MPW, Metrowerks CodeWarrior. 
 Cupertino, CA, 10/1997-6/1998 
 
Shareware Programmer @ JX Software
 Wrote the Macintosh software application Do It All! Calendar, using C++.
 MacUser gave it Four Mice rating. Shareware Magazine said "Definite A+ for
 user interface design and overall product usefulness." 
 Hanover, NH, 1/1991-12/1996 
 
Software Engineer @ Paradigm Technologies 
 Wrote a product manufacturing process management tool for memory chip
 manufacturer. Wrote a Windows application to download and integrate data
 from offsite warehouses and detect invalid data from data sources. Written
 in C++ on Windows. 
 San Jose, CA, 6/1991-9/1991 
 
Software Consultant @ Active Systems 
 Designed user interface for and wrote new modules for Macintosh educational
 software for decision making and training using custom hardware.
 Implemented scripting language and graphical editor in object-oriented C, a
 variant of C++.
 Lebanon, NH, 1/1991-6/1991 
 
Assistant System Manager @ Lockheed Missiles and Space Corporation 
 Managed room of VAX/VMS computers for the Lockheed Missiles and Space
 Corporation Palo Alto Research Laboratory Solar Astronomy Group (LMSC PARL
 SAG). Wrote utilities in the FORTRAN programming language. Provided 
 technical support for company users. Answered technical questions.
 Palo Alto, CA, 6/1988-12/1988 
 
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND CERTIFICATIONS_________________________________

National Writers Union (NWU), member 

Society for Technical Communication (STC), member

Master Practioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
 Certified by Marin NLP, 2005-6


RECOMMENDATIONS ____________________________________________________________

"JX has a rare ability to discover very creative solutions while staying 
incredibly focused on delivering solid and accurate documentation on 
schedule. He moves easily from quickly grasping the 'big picture' to drilling
down to the detailed level to fill in that picture. - Openwave Systems

"An invaluable asset to any technical communications department." 
- Palm Inc.

"JX translates technology details for a variety of audiences. He keeps his 
audience in mind, whether it is in person, on the phone, in e-mail, in 
writing, or in design. He translates complex information into what would 
be useful for each audience, and even knows how to talk to varied audiences 
all at once with elegance and clarity." - AOL MapQuest 

"Another example of the value he added can be seen in his technical
communication skills. I have rarely seen the attention to detail and concise
description of technical details." - Newton Inc.

"Our internal customers, management and personnel in tech support,
engineering, training/education, and other departments all praised his
work." - Palm Inc.

"A professional of the highest caliber, who meticulously developed,
formatted, edited and managed critical user documentation and content for
one of Palm's premier Internet properties." - Palm Inc.

"He is capable of explaining complex things to a variety of audiences...JX
understands the big picture yet with a great attention to detail as well as
demonstrating excellent communication skills..." - San Francisco Sex
Information

"A valuable part of my team ... a very well rounded and solid professional."
- Apple Computer

"JX combines a depth of technical knowledge and skills with an artist's 
eye for presentation and design. " - Openwave Systems

Full recommendation letters can be viewed at http://www.jxconsulting.com/rec


PUBLISHED WORKS (PARTIAL)___________________________________________________

Guidewire ClaimCenter Integration Guide
 Instructed customers how to integrate a leading software package for the
 insurance industry with legacy business software systems. The Integration
 Guide included detailed programmer-oriented API (SDK) documentation for
 using the clients API with Java/JSP, Web Services (W3C SOAP protocol),
 Windows .NET, Apache Axis, and XML. Customers used this documentation to
 integrate claims-management systems with legacy policy management systems,
 write and deploy custom Java plug-in code, connect to databases, import and
 extract data, authenticate using custom Java plug-ins, integrate custom
 code with the application user interface, and integrate remote Web Services
 with the claims-management framework.

Openwave System User Interface Flow (UI Flow) Documentation
 User interface flow documentation for an industry-leading mobile software
 company required creating a visual language acceptable to internal and
 external audiences with widely varying needs and widely varying technical
 knowledge. Tools included Microsoft Visio combined with a custom-written
 suite of Visual Basic for Applications macros (VBA code) for documentation
 management and sophisticated intra-document hyperlinks. Wrote PERL scripts
 to parse proprietary XML source code files to extract icon information.
 Delivered 5 documents in 17"x11" format, as printed documentation,
 interactive color PDFs, and interactive Web/HTML format. Supervised a team
 of 2 additional consultants helping the project. Wrote technical content
 describing customizable mobile Web/WAP browser software used in half
 billion phones worldwide, and also a customizable e-mail/SMS/MMS/SMIL
 messaging system based on OMA (Open Mobile Alliance) standards,
 phone-desktop synchronization, multimedia content management, and
 customizable memory management. The documentation tools customized exports
 for different audiences, such as internal engineers (more programming &
 API details) versus specific external licensees (some information censored
 or added). Custom scripts that I wrote took text strings from the Openwave
 source code and overrode diagram text with licensee-specific text changes
 and/or translated the documentation into one of many supported languages
 (Spanish, French, Japanese, and others).

Site Advantage Developer Guide
 150-page complete product introduction, API guide, and API reference
 documentation. The Site Advantage service is an interface to a
 MapQuest-hosted server that provides maps, driving directions, and location
 searching to Web servers anywhere on the Internet. Site Advantage takes
 HTTP requests and returns results in a standard data interchange format
 called the Extensible Markup Language (XML) and optionally reformats the
 data using an XML-related standard called XSLT.
 
Data Manager Guide
 30-page user documentation for a Web application used to manage customer
 location data in MapQuest-hosted databases. 
 
Advantage Enterprise 3.x Developer Guide
 200-page documentation detailing the programming interface (API) to a
 MapQuest client-server architecture that provides mapping, geocoding,
 driving directions, and proximity searching. The Developer Guide is
 published in multiple versions corresponding to multiple programming
 interfaces: C++, Java, COM (Microsoft Visual Basic and Microsoft ASP), and
 ADP (AOLserver Dynamic Pages). Each of the four manuals were exported in 
 both PDF and HTML versions, for  a total of eight variants, or sixteen 
 variants including the related Advantage API 3.x Developer Guide 
 documentation.

 
Advantage API 3.x Developer Guide
 A variant of the Advantage Enterprise Developer Guide (see above). The 4
 manuals were exported in both PDF and HTML.
 
Advantage Enterprise 3.x Server Guide
 150-page documentation detailing installation and configuration of a server
 for Solaris (UNIX), Linux, and Windows.
 
Site Advantage Product White Paper
 A marketing document written for technical decision makers who may be
 potential MapQuest customers.
 
Advantage Enterprise Product White Paper
 A marketing document written for technical decision makers who may be
 potential MapQuest customers.
 
Advantage API Product White Paper
 A marketing document written for technical decision makers who may be
 potential MapQuest customers.
 
MapQuest Enterprise 2.x Server Guide
 150-page documentation detailing installation and configuration of a server
 for Solaris (UNIX), Linux, and Windows.
 
MapQuest Enterprise 2.x Developer Guide
 200-page documentation detailing the programming interface (API) to a
 client-server architecture supporting mapping, geocoding, driving
 directions, and proximity searching. The Developer Guide is published in
 multiple versions corresponding to multiple programming interfaces: C++,
 Java, COM (Microsoft Visual Basic and Microsoft ASP), and ADP (AOLserver
 Dynamic Pages). Each of the 4 manuals are exported in both PDF and HTML
 versions.
 
Newton Technology Journal Articles
 Author of four published technical journal articles for programmers.
 Articles included API code in C++ for Windows and Macintosh, plus the
 NewtonScript language for the Newton OS. Editing and review of selected
 articles. Technical Peer Review Board member.
 
Newton Development Q&As
 Wrote significant portions of the programmer-level (API) documentation.
 Edited the 150-page document. 


CREATIVITY _________________________________________________________________

Designer, Artist 
 Download art on the Internet at http://www.doitall.com

Photographer 
 Professional photographer, with portraits and fine art photography on 
 the Internet at http://www.jxphotography

Musician 
 Download music (electronics, flute, voice, piano) from multiple music 
 projects on the Internet at http://www.doitall.com