Senior Technical Writer, Synopsys
November 2010 to July 2011

Virage Logic was acquired by Synopsys in 2010, and I continued my contract work while integrating with the new company.

• Originated and updated PDF documents and JavaHelp helpsets for new and existing products.
• Took the initiative to integrate with a new, larger team.
• Entrusted with a license-testing project because of my reliability, detail orientation, and product knowledge, I completed my work more than 10% under budget.
• Adapted to a new corporate style and templates.

Senior Technical Writer, Virage Logic Corporation
October 2009 to November 2010

ARC International was acquired by Virage Logic Corporation in October 2009, and I continued my contract work while integrating with the new company.

• Ensured new contact information was in manuals in time for pending releases.
• Adapted to new corporate style and templates.
• Supplied information on ARC documentation in existence.
• Continued producing PDFs and JavaHelp helpsets for numerous releases.

Senior Technical Writer, ARC International
April to October 2009

ARC TechPubs was eliminated during the 2008 global economic crisis. In April 2009 I was recalled on a contract basis to handle a backlog of updates. I continued my work with a geographically distributed team and minimal direction.

• Cleared a backlog of CRs and new features using FrameMaker and Word.
• Developed a wiki to inform managers and engineers of TechPubs tools and process.
• Mentored a new writer in Russia using VNC, email, and Skype.
• Supported UK hardware operation while keeping up on software tools and products.
• Kept Word and FrameMaker templates up to date and in synch.
• Produced PDFs and JavaHelp helpsets for numerous releases.
• Mastered showing and hiding subhelpsets based on license file.
• Created WebWorks Publisher templates for Eclipse Help from FrameMaker and Word.
• Created WebWorks Publisher templates for Eclipse Help and JavaHelp with a single set of HTML files from FrameMaker or Word.

Senior Technical Writer, ARC International
October 1999 to October 2008

The acquisition of MetaWare by ARC in October 1999 began a long period of expansion and change for the company and myself. I had the opportunity to explore new technologies and international working relationships, eventually taking on documentation responsibility for software tools, precompiled software, online help, and APIs with remote managers and minimal direction.

• New and Updated Documents
• Online Help
• Hardware Docs
• Process Improvements

New and Updated Documents

• Worked to make manuals more task-oriented as the audience became less technically savvy.
• Wrote modular topics as use of JavaHelp increased.
• Resolved CRs based on information from engineers and my growing product expertise.
• Expanded use of FrameMaker and Word for new and updated manuals.
• Applied each iteration of Word and FrameMaker templates.
• Converted content to Acrobat PDF and conducted reliability testing.
• Completed numerous conversions of Word and FrameMaker source to nested JavaHelp helpsets.
• Traveled to London occasionally to create and maintain a unified documentation set.
• Used variables and document properties to update evolving product and company names and addresses.
• Traveled to Ottawa to develop a common template in FrameMaker and Word.
• Transitioned technology, documents, and helpsets from Ottawa after Ottawa operation closed.
• Converted Word source to FrameMaker as I revised each Ottawa manual.
• Depending on available resource, produced compiler command-line help.
• Wrote first edition of conditional manuals for MIPS and VideoCore processors.
• Planned and authored Debugger Extensions Guide from scratch using header files, SMEs, and the iterative process.
• Planned and authored a suite of manuals for an integrated hardware-software product.
• With strong input from engineers, authored the ABI specification for the world's first configurable RISC microprocessor.
• Worked with a team of mostly remote engineers and writers using email and Skype.

Online Help

Since 2001, my online-help expertise has been growing.

• Helped plan our first IDE WinHelp effort.
• Developed beta JavaHelp 1.x system from scratch using Notepad.
• Learned RoboHELP Classic to take over, maintain, and improve our WinHelp helpset.
• Verified each topic against the product and managed reviews.
• Gave developer feedback for improving product function and usability.
• Rewrote Eclipse Help system to match our extensions using TextPad.
• Emulated Word-to-JavaHelp template for FrameMaker source.
• Completed numerous conversions of Word and FrameMaker source to nested JavaHelp helpsets.
• Extended WebWorks Publisher templates for Word and FrameMaker to make JavaHelp for evolving needs.

Hardware Documents

Hardware and codec documentation was mostly handled in the UK. I helped edit, update, and produce manuals, taking advantage of the time difference to increase departmental throughput performance.

• Edited for grammar, style, and accuracy.
• Made updates with new information from engineers.
• Resolved CRs based on information from engineers.
• Formatted documents in line with template, including register diagrams.
• Converted content to Acrobat PDF and conducted reliability testing.
• Generated nested JavaHelp subhelpsets using WebWorks Publisher for Word.

Process Improvements

• Shifted updates to match current release rather than previous readme file.
• Used flexibility and initiative to reduce update and review cycles.
• Helped hire, train, and coordinate new writers and contractors.
• Instituted use of text insets and graphics imported by reference to ease updates.
• Maintained records of all user manuals from all acquired companies.
• Contributed to manuals owned by other writers and peer reviews.
• Edited developer readme files before release.
• Maintained FrameMaker template and contributed to Word template.
• Wrote documentation plans for new products.

Senior Technical Writer, MetaWare Incorporated
March to October 1999

MetaWare made compilation and debugging toolchains for embedded software development using C and C++. I used the programming knowledge I acquired through coursework to update the 500-page-plus Programmer's Guide for several target processors until MetaWare was acquired by ARC International in October 1999.

Document Revisions

• Used FrameMaker book files and conditional text to share content for half a dozen instruction-set architectures.
• Wrote first edition of Programmer's Guide for picoJava processor.
• Incorporated new information from developer readme files and tech-support emails.
• Conducted reviews and secured approval for publication.
• Converted content to Acrobat PDF and conducted reliability testing.
• Converted content to HTML using WebWorks Publisher and conducted reliability testing.

Process Improvements

• Designed, built, and maintained first departmental Intranet site.
• Researched and implemented PDF as a solution for customer printing and cross-document searching.
• Designed and maintained HTML and PDF navigation and support materials for document sets.
• Worked closely with Document Specialist on scheduling, strategy, and style.

Technical Writer, Siemens Business Communication Systems
August 1997 to October 1998

Used FrameMaker on the PC to update legacy documentation and author new materials for the global rollout of the Hicom 150 E communications server. Worked with a team to gather information from SMEs and see our documents through QA and approval processes.

Later I took charge of global English service documentation for the product and supervised additional writers.

Phases I and II

• Edited two books for English grammar and style.
• Localized two books to fit the U.S. product.
• Authored a hardware installation guide.

Editing English Grammar and Style

We received some books as translations from Munich and revised them thoroughly in addition to localizing the content.

• Correcting grammar and punctuation
• Verifying terminology and concepts
• Rewriting vague passages
• Establishing consistency
• Eliminating excessive use of the passive
• Converting measurements
• Interfacing with the editor and completing a 26-page ISO publication checklist

We worked intensely with FrameMaker to produce documents up to 640 pages long.

• Conditional text
• Book building
• Siemens templates
• Markers
• Variables
• Change bars
• Frame art, anchored frames, text frames
• Paragraph and character tags
• Indexing

Localizing Content

We were charged with localizing documentation for a multinational product that had not yet arrived in the U.S. This made our SMEs unable to discuss more than 20% of the product until prototypes arrived.

• Reviewed specs in search of U.S. and world market differences.
• Patiently hounded SMEs until they had information and could provide it.
• Added U.S. features (power supply, trunk boards, mounting arrangements).
• Matched existing style using minimalism and Information Mapping.
• Removed non-U.S. features.
• Modified features that were implemented differently in the U.S.
• Produced simple Frame art and worked with an artist on more complex figures.
• Made PDF files, coordinated technical review, and resolved pending issues.
• Secured approvals for publication.

Authoring the Hardware Installation Guide

My greatest but most rewarding challenge was producing a 140-page installation guide from four pages of initial documentation.

• Planned the structure and direction of the document with product management.
• Revised structure, scope, and style each time the document’s audience changed.
• Worked closely with SMEs to develop content.
• Conducted usability testing and incorporated comments.
• Produced simple Frame art and worked with an artist on more complex figures.
• Mastered a second Siemens FrameMaker template.
• Made PDF files, coordinated technical review, and resolved pending issues.
• Interfaced with the editor and completed a 26-page ISO publication checklist.
• Secured approvals for publication.

Phase III

In July 1998 I traveled to Germany in my new role as lead technical writer for Siemens transnational documentation. After working out a new process, I returned to Santa Clara to head the realization team.

• Helped define a new process for handling country-specific features.
• Advised the German writers on writing for international audiences.
• Reached agreements on formatting and content details.
• Autonomously implemented the new process upon my return to Santa Clara.
• Saw existing documents through ISO procedures and publication.
• Edited the English in new translations of two books.
• Added U.S. specifics based on previous documentation and my product knowledge.
• Updated three documents for a new product release.
• Supervised additional writers as the workload grew.

March 1999

Returned to Siemens Communications (now Siemens ICN) to complete a short contract adding configuration notes and updating the service manual for a new release. Used my editing skills and product knowledge to verify and introduce new information for a worldwide technical audience.

Configuration Notes

• Used Word and FrameMaker to edit configuration notes and incorporate them into the existing document and its template.
• Edited language, terminology, and Information Mapping structure to match the existing manual.
• Used my product knowledge and my SME network to question and verify information.

Updates

• Identified and repaired incorrect and misleading information.
• Used my product knowledge to question information.
• Used my SME network to verify information.
• Cut and pasted information using FrameMaker.
• Updated variables and footer information for a new product release.
• Used my editing skills to adapt new pages translated in Munich to our existing global English manual.
• Interfaced with an artist to develop and incorporate new art.

Technical Editor, AT&T Labs Internet Platforms
October to December 1998

Edited white papers by non-native engineers and updated a software guide for this leading-edge Internet startup. Honed my skills and learned new applications for version tracking and HTML publishing.

Editing White Papers on Applications and Middleware Components

• Used HTML Transit to create Web publications.
• Generated PDFs; edited bookmarks and links.
• Applied correct English grammar and usage.
• Consulted expert authors to ensure accuracy of content.
• Researched the Web and surveyed senior writers on spelling and terminology.
• Improved my abilities with Word bookmarks, ToCs, and imported art.
• Used HiJaak PRO to capture screen shots.

Updating the Peer Software Installation and Usage Guide

• Proofread book and incorporated changes using FrameMaker.
• Updated chapters and created an index.
• Installed and used interim builds to verify operation and screen captures.
• Gathered information from management and SMEs.
• Made installation information more task-oriented.
• Used Adobe Acrobat to distill files and edit bookmarks.
• Checked files into and out of ClearCase folders.

Internship as a Technical and Marketing Writer, IDEC Corporation
April to July 1997

Used my detail orientation to proofread a components catalog, then updated the catalog and wrote new marketing collateral based on information from SMEs. Used FrameMaker and Photoshop on the Mac, and developed a corporate style guide. Consistently won praise for the quality of my work and my attention to detail.

Proofreading

• Proofread the main IDEC catalog and two smaller catalogs.
• Implemented my changes.
• Converted measurements from Japan.

New Catalog

• Reformatted the catalog based on sample pages.
• Enforced a consistent look and feel.
• Incorporated a smaller catalog into my section.
• Made corrections to existing products.
• Gathered information from SMEs.
• Added new products.

Frame for Macintosh

• Worked intensely with master pages, anchored frames, and text frames.
• Imported photographs from Adobe Photoshop for Macintosh.
• Reformatted and sized figures and photographs.
• Imported formats across files and built books.
• Designed tables and headings for smaller layout.

Style Guide

• Researched variant usage in the existing catalogs.
• Worked with writers to adopt a single variant.
• Revised the Sun Style Guide and added company-specific terminology.
• Held a meeting with SMEs to approve my guide.
• Produced and distributed a first edition of my guide.

Data Sheets and Press Releases

• Wrote data sheets on two new families of power supplies.
• Gathered information from SMEs.
• Converted measurements from Japan.
• Arranged a photo shoot.
• Secured approvals for publication.

Adjunct Professor, Monterey Institute of International Studies
1992 to 1995

Taught graduate students to turn foreign source material into English documentation that would optimally serve its new purpose and audience. Focused on information processing, research strategies, and compliance with grammar, terminology, and style guides appropriate to the user.

Results Orientation

• Urged students to think of purpose and audience first.
• Adapted real-life materials for homework and tests.
• Taught students to research terminology and style using parallel literature, computer databases, and the Internet.
• Lectured on the nuts and bolts of the translation and localization industry.

ISO 9000 and Translation

See my article on translation quality assessment in Marshall Morris, ed., Translation and the Law. Philadelphia and Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 1995.

International Documentation Experience
1991 to 1997

In 1991 I earned an MA in translation into English. For the next six years I used WordPerfect (MS-DOS), Word (Windows), and FrameMaker (Windows) to provide translation, localization, and related services to clients in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. This experience culminated in organizing and running my own firm, Matt Hammond, LLC, which focused on export translation for clients in Europe.

Import vs. Export

Working in the field, I came to see how the purpose and audience of a translation are closely related to whether the output text will be used for import or export, and the effects on communication and translation quality.

Translation into English in the U.S. is often what I call import translation. The communication has likely already happened, and a third party wants to see what it was. Examples are competitors’ marketing materials, articles of incorporation of acquisition candidates, or medical records. The client "just wants to know what it says." The purpose of the document has shifted to information only; the document no longer needs to convince or instruct a live audience, and the quality of the text—content, grammar, style—is less relevant.

Export translation is generally the opposite: The client needs to reach users or potential customers in a foreign language, and good communication tailored to the purpose and audience is key. This is the case of Silicon Valley firms localizing their products or European companies making their materials available in international English.

This is what Matt Hammond, LLC, did for major firms in Europe and the Americas. My work in international documentation focused on turning foreign legacy into stand-alone documents that could function as original English. Often I was called in to copyedit the output of traditional translators and make it suitable for publication in English, or edit documents written by non-native speakers. I also proofread thousands of texts produced by myself and others.

Some Technical Clients

• SAP
• Siemens
• Software AG
• Sylog Data GmbH
• Linde
• Dräger (medical equipment)
• Degussa (dental casting)
• Europay (ec card)
• EUnet

Some Marketing Clients

• Swatch
• Swiss Telecom
• Fingerpin (biometric security)
• SOFFEX (Swiss Options and Futures Exchange)
• WIFAG (printing presses)
• AAO (customs brokerage)
• Swissport (airport ground services)
• A. Lange & Söhne (fine watches)
• McKinsey & Co.

Sample from a Technical Marketing Brochure

What I Can Do for You

Got a translation that needs that final push to truly be English? Got docs written by non-native speakers? I’ve got years of experience.

Want to save money on localization? Let me ply my editing skills and international experience to optimize your text, save time and headaches, reduce costs, and eliminate embarrassing blunders.

Coursework in Applications, Languages, and Operating Systems

BASIC Programming, California State University, Dominguez Hills

Learned concepts and commands for writing programs in BASIC. Wrote a small program weekly and a larger program as a take-home final exam.

Introduction to Programming Using C and C++, Monterey Peninsula College

Learned keywords and syntax and applied them to problem solving, abstraction, and design. Wrote a small program each week, culminating in a final project at the end of the semester.

Introduction to UNIX, Monterey Peninsula College

Gained an overview of UNIX, its strengths, and its applications. Learned to use the command-line utilities and wrote exams using vi.

Java Programming, Monterey Peninsula College

Hands-on practice in program design to prepare object-oriented, multi-threaded, network-ready applications and applets

Other Coursework

• Advanced XML Authoring
• DITA Introduction
• JavaScript
• Indexing Technical Documentation
• Dreamweaver Introduction
• WebWorks Publisher
• Introduction to RoboHELP
• Adobe Photoshop Basics
• Web Development and Design Foundations with XHTML
• Information Mapping

Applications

I master new applications quickly, and have used a wide variety of tools since I began computing in 1984.

Microsoft Windows 95 and Successors (daily since 1996)

Tools for Creating Documents and Graphics

• Adobe FrameMaker 4, 5, 6, 7 (daily since 1996)
• Adobe Photoshop (occasionally since 2000; training in 2006)
• Adobe FrameMaker+SGML 6.0, 7.0 (beginner)
• Microsoft Word for Windows (daily since 1996)
• Visio Corporation Visio Professional 5.0 (briefly in 1998)
• Adobe Acrobat and Reader (daily since 1998)
• Adobe Cataloger and Distiller (daily since 1998)
• Quarterdeck HiJaak PRO 4.01  (occasionally since 1997)
• TechSmith SnagIt/32 Version 4.3.6 (occasionally since 1999)
• Inbit FullShot 6 Professional (occasionally since 2004)
• Microsoft FrontPage 98 (training, then occasionally since 1998)
• Microsoft Paint (occasionally since 1997)
• InfoAccess HTML Transit 3.0 (briefly in 1998)
• Quadralay WebWorks Publisher 2000 (training, then occasionally in 1999 and 2000)
• Quadralay WebWorks Publisher 2003 for Word and FrameMaker (daily since 2005)
• Software 7 Helen 1.0 RC 2 (occasionally in 2002)
• TextPad 4.7.3 (daily since 2004)
• RoboHELP Classic 9 (training, then daily in 2001)
• Macromedia Dreamweaver 4 (occasionally in 2002)

Tools for Managing Information

• Borland StarTeam 4.2 and successors (training, then daily since 2000)
• Subversion 1.4.4 and successors (training, then daily since 2007)
• Bugzilla 3.0 and successors (training, then daily since 2007)
• Atria ClearCase 3.1 (briefly in 1998)
• SCO OpenWindows (daily 1999 to 2001)
• Netscape Navigator (daily 1995 to 2002)
• Microsoft Visual Basic (briefly in 1999)
• Microsoft PowerPoint (occasionally since 1999)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer (daily since 1997)
• Microsoft Excel (occasionally since 1999)
• Frank Stearns Associates IXgen Release 5.5.f (occasionally since 1999)

Tools for Communicating

• Microsoft Outlook (daily 1997 to 1998, and since 2002)
• AT&T Labs GeoPlex Peer 1.1 (daily in 1998)
• Global Village FaxWorks (occasionally since 1996)
• Lotus Notes 4 and successors (daily 1999 to 2003)

Microsoft Windows 3.1 (daily 1992 to 1996, then occasionally)

• Adobe FrameMaker (training, then daily in 1996, occasionally in 1997)
• Microsoft Word for Windows (daily 1992 to 1996)
• Netscape Navigator (daily in 1995)
• Jasc Paint Shop Pro (occasionally in 1996)

Microsoft DOS (daily 1989 to 1992, then occasionally)

• Borland TCLite (occasionally since 1995)
• WordPerfect (daily 1989 to 1994)
• PowerBase (daily 1989 to 1991)
• CompuServe Information Manager (daily since 1992)
• Procomm (daily 1992 to 1997)

Apple Macintosh System 7 (training and daily in 1997)

• Adobe FrameMaker (training and daily in 1997)
• Adobe Photoshop (daily in 1997)

UNIX System V (coursework in 1996, daily since 1999)

• Adobe FrameMaker (daily 1999 to 2001)
• Bourne shell (coursework in 1996, daily since 1999)
• SunOS 5.5.1 (daily since 1999)
• Solaris Common Desktop Environment (occasionally since 1999)
• Interleaf (briefly in 1992)
• vi (coursework in 1996, daily since 1999)
• RCS (daily 1999 to 2003)
• Quadralay WebWorks Publisher (daily 1999 to 2000)

About this Site

I first developed this site after taking a class in Microsoft FrontPage in 1998.

I added to it over the years as I picked up HTML.

I upgraded it to XHTML with external CSS in 2009 while taking a course in Web Development and Design.

Other Web Work I Have Done

• ARC TechPubs Wiki (2009-2010)
• Monterey Bay Zen Center Facebook page admin (2010-present)
• Translators and Interpreters Guild website (co-designer), 1997
• HMTL readme edits (1999-2008)
• Travel blogs (2001 and 2008)
• Web Development and Design coursework (2009)
• Online proofreading for everydayzen.org (2009-present)
• MetaWare TechPubs Intranet site (1999)