Certified Professionals. Verified Work.
 
 
  • Feedback: (3.90 of 5)
  • Percentile: 27%
    Based on 1 feedbacks
Hourly Rate: $27.78
Total oDesk hours:
29
Location:
Tatum, United States (GMT-06:00)
English Skills: (self-assessed)
5.0
Member Since:
March 3, 2008
Last Worked:
July 10, 2008
Current Assignments:
1
Total Assignments:
2
oDesk Ready:  
Yes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Heather W. - Creative/ Technical Writer with Extensive Web and Graphic Design Exper - Freelance Consultant, United States

I have been a professional technical writer and editor since 1997 when I had my first IT related book published. Since then I have published 11 more Internet and technology related titles covering the gamut from browser technology to XML, from Dreamweaver to Linux Applications. have worked as either a part or full time freelance technical writer for over 12 years covering every topic under the sun, from articles entitled "How to Back Up A Truck" to sales and marketing documentation...
See All Work History & Feedback (2 items, 1 with Feedback)
Recent Work History & Feedback
Buyer ID From To Job Title Billed Feedback to Provider
29082 03/2008 Present NetObjects Fusion Expert $579
(21 hrs @ $27.78) 		Job in progress.
19074 03/2008 04/2008 Copy Writing/SEO $218
(8 hrs @ $27.78) 		  
See All Tests Taken (3 items)
oDesk Tests Taken
Name of Test Score Percentile Date Taken Duration
Email Etiquette Certification 3.40 72% 03/17/2008 18 min
English Test (Sentence Structure) 4.60 82% TOP 20% 03/05/2008 13 min
HTML 4.01 Test 4.40 97% TOP 10% 03/07/2008 31 min
Recent Candidacies
Job Opening Title Initiated By Date
experienced Forex writers needed Provider July 7, 2008
Entertainment Journalist Provider July 7, 2008
Content Writer Provider July 7, 2008
PDF Security articles Provider July 7, 2008
Creative/Technical Writer for Service Business' Website Provider July 7, 2008
Job Category Interests

Web Development

Writing

Administrative Support

Graphic Arts & Design
Skills
Skill Experience Level Last Used Description
Scripting Languages 5 yrs 3.0 2008 Scripting  Languages:
(Years of use, and last use date vary with each of these languages)
  • Visual Basic
  • XHTML
  • XML/Schemas/DTDs/XSLT   
  • SQL
  • JavaScript           
  • PHP
  • ColdFusion           
  • CGI/Perl
  • DHTML               
  • CSS
Software Used 15 yrs 4.0 2008 Software Used:
  • Microsoft Office 97, 2000, 2002, XP, 2007 (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook)
  • Database Software (FileMaker Pro, MySQL, MSQL, ORACLE)
  • Accounting Software (PeachTree Accounting, Quickbooks Pro, Quicken, Microsoft Money)
  • Graphics Software (Corel Draw, Macromedia Fireworks, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Paint Shop Pro, MS Visio, RoboDemo, Camtasia Studio)
  • Desktop Publishing (Adobe Framemaker, Adobe Pagemaker, Adobe Acrobat, InDesign)
  • Communications/Internet Software (All Web browsers, Outlook, FTP, Telnet, Fax software, Microsoft Project, etc)
  • Network Software (TCP/IP, Novel Networks, Windows Networks)
  • Web Design (Macromedia Dreamweaver, NetObjects Fusion, Microsoft FrontPage, Homesite, HotDog Pro, + many others)
  • Operating Systems (Windows 95/98/2000/NT/ME/XP,Vista, Unix/Linux, Macintosh OS)
Technical Writing 11 yrs 5.0 2008 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-8652427-5734544?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Heather+Williamson&x=0&y=0
Write and/or edit nationally published documentation discussing a variety of topics ranging from on-line service providers, such as CompuServe and America Online, to installing and using a variety of Internet software and programming for the Internet. 

Book Contributions include:
    * Special Edition Using the Internet with Windows 95, published by QUE (1996)
    * Special Edition Using Netscape 3, published by QUE (1996)
    * XML Bible by Elliotte Rusty Harold, published by IDG Books / Hungryminds (1999)
    * Dreamweaver Savvy by Christian Crumlish, to be published by Sybex (2002)

Original Titles
    * Internet Explorer 4 6-in-1, published by QUE (1997)
    * HTML Master Reference, published by IDG Books / Hungryminds (1999)
    * Applixware Office for Linux, published by IDG Books / Hungryminds (2000).
    * Developing Dynamic Cross Browser HTML, published by Apress (2001)
    * XML: The Complete Reference, published by Osborne-McGraw/Hill (2001)
    * SMIL for Dummies, published by IDG Books / Hungryminds (2001)
    * Dreamweaver in a Nutshell, published by O'Reilly (2001)
    * XML From A to Z: published by Redmond Press (2001)
    * Dreamweaver From A to Z published by Redmond Press (2001)
    * Front Page From A to Z published by Redmond Press (2001)

Editing Projects
    * XML Bible by Elliotte Rusty Harold, published by IDG Books /Hungryminds (1999)
    * XML Blueprints published by IDG Books / Hungryminds (2000)
    * XHTML Complete, to be published by Sybex (2001)

Magazine/Ezine Articles
    * Site Management with Dreamweaver 3 (Pinnacle - Macromedia User Journal - Feb 2000 Cover)
    * Multimedia Navigation Systems with Dreamweaver 3 (Pinnacle - Macromedia User Journal - May 2000 Cover)
    * Dreamweaver Power Combinations (O'Reilly and Assoc., web article, December 2001)
    * Developed (Jan 1997 to Nov. 1997) material for weekly updates to QUE’s (a Macmillan imprint) Netscape Reference Web site. This material includes product reviews, user interviews, product introductions, feature introductions and explanations, and common questions with answers. This site was located at: http://www.mcp.com/que/et/netscape.
Web design 14 yrs 5.0 2008 HTML:  14 years
PHP: 7 years
CFML: 2 years (part time)
JavaScript: 12 years
XHTML: 6 years
DHTML: 12 years
XML: 6 years

Using these skills, in addition to others, I have created over 60 Web sites for a variety of companies and corporations. My time was primarily spent working on merging existing systems, creating new front ends for old systems, and managing a team of up to 15 programmers, developers, and support specialists.
Certifications
Date Earned Name Score Percentile Organization Description
No Certifications
Employment History
From To Company Title/Role Description
08/2004 02/2008 One Smart Tool, Inc. Operations Officer / Manager
  • Maintain accuracy of all accounting  including reporting and data entry.
  • Track and report on AR, AP, Job Costs etc to all other business partners.
  • Manage office staff, and work with all outsourced service representatives.
  • Manage/Develop fully interactive and secure Members area for field sales agents including training documentation on developing marketing materials, closing sales, doing presentations, tracking loads, accounts receivable, accounts payable, etc.
    * Manage/Develop corporate sales and marketing Web site using Flash, PHP, MySQL, and HTML. Incorporating extensive audio and video enhancements.
    * Manage/Develop/ implement all customer service and support software for helpdesk, forum, and live chat based support systems.
    * Manage technical support services provided to all customer service staff, as well as all corporate customers.
    * Coordinate work between all One Smart Tool, departments and software/hardware contractors to implement software upgrades, coordinate information dissemination between departments, oversee scheduling of training seminars for employees and field sales agents.
    * Develop checks and balances on all accounting software systems, between back office management, credit card processors, and bank accounts.
11/2004 12/2006 The Nickel Graphic Designer / Ad Copy / Independent Contributor The Nickel is a classifed ad paper in NE Oregon distributing over 8 counties in 2 states. 
  • Write copy for display advertising, advising sales agents on display options, and verbage.
Write copy for classifed advertising for both personal and business subscribers.
  • Develop original graphics, use clipart, modify graphics and photographs, for use in marketing layout and design.
  • Prepare all ads for press, including color separations and composites validating all settings for printing.
  • Work with press agents to ensure the proper printing and preparation of all ad materials.
 * Work with sales agents  and clients to ensure that ads meet their specifications, requirements, and expectations.
02/1997 12/2004 Cats Back Consulting Owner / Executive Web and graphic design firm in NE Oregon. Serving a variety of business types. 
 * Design, develop, and create HTML pages for a variety of businesses.
  • Implement DHTML, JavaScript, PHP, CGI, ColdFusion, Oracle, Access, and MySQL interactive Web sites.
  • Design personalized images, graphics, animations, and logos for Web sites, brochures, advertisements, business cards, and other marketing materials.
  • Write and edit web content copy for a variety of sales and informational sites.
  • Design and develop database solutions to match the client’s business model. These are most often for customer tracking and accounting needs.
  • Track expenditures and receipts, track client contacts, balance books, respond to all client requests.
 
During the Time that I had Cats Back Consulting we had two large clients: Online Success University and iPromotions for which we performed the following services:
 * Develop/ implement all customer service and support software for helpdesk, forum, and live chat based support systems.
    * Develop fully interactive and secure Members area for field sales agents including training documentation on developing marketing materials, closing sales, doing presentations, etc.
    * Develop corporate sales and marketing Web site using Flash, PHP, MySQL, and HTML.
    * Provide direct support to all customer service staff, as well as all corporate customers.
    * Negotiate contract with OSU/iPromotions to cover support costs for staff, hardware, Internet connections, etc. based on their sales, and support calls/contacts received.
    * Hire, train, and manage staff of 6 – 10 to provide support for the International sales base of over 72,000 independent sales associates working for iPromotions, Inc. and their subsidiaries.
    * Coordinate work between all iPromotions departments and Online Success University staff and management to implement software upgrades, coordinate information dissemination between departments, schedule-training seminars for all necessary iPromotions employees.
    * Work directly with iPromotions subsidiary IT departments to coordinate software and hardware updates, which had a direct effect on all field sales personnel.
    * Update and maintain the sales and marketing web site to directly reflect changes and updates made to product and software offerings made by iPromotions subsidiaries.
02/1996 12/2002 Multiple Publishers Freelance Technical Author / Independent Contributor Write and/or edit nationally published documentation discussing a variety of topics ranging from on-line service providers, such as CompuServe and America Online, to installing and using a variety of Internet software and programming for the Internet. 

Book Contributions include:
    * Special Edition Using the Internet with Windows 95, published by QUE (1996)
    * Special Edition Using Netscape 3, published by QUE (1996)
    * XML Bible by Elliotte Rusty Harold, published by IDG Books / Hungryminds (1999)
    * Dreamweaver Savvy by Christian Crumlish, to be published by Sybex (2002)

Original Titles
    * Internet Explorer 4 6-in-1, published by QUE (1997)
    * HTML Master Reference, published by IDG Books / Hungryminds (1999)
    * Applixware Office for Linux, published by IDG Books / Hungryminds (2000).
    * Developing Dynamic Cross Browser HTML, published by Apress (2001)
    * XML: The Complete Reference, published by Osborne-McGraw/Hill (2001)
    * SMIL for Dummies, published by IDG Books / Hungryminds (2001)
    * Dreamweaver in a Nutshell, published by O'Reilly (2001)
    * XML From A to Z: published by Redmond Press (2001)
    * Dreamweaver From A to Z published by Redmond Press (2001)
    * Front Page From A to Z published by Redmond Press (2001)

Editing Projects
    * XML Bible by Elliotte Rusty Harold, published by IDG Books /Hungryminds (1999)
    * XML Blueprints published by IDG Books / Hungryminds (2000)
    * XHTML Complete, to be published by Sybex (2001)

Magazine/Ezine Articles
    * Site Management with Dreamweaver 3 (Pinnacle - Macromedia User Journal - Feb 2000 Cover)
    * Multimedia Navigation Systems with Dreamweaver 3 (Pinnacle - Macromedia User Journal - May 2000 Cover)
    * Dreamweaver Power Combinations (O'Reilly and Assoc., web article, December 2001)
    * Developed (Jan 1997 to Nov. 1997) material for weekly updates to QUE’s (a Macmillan imprint) Netscape Reference Web site. This material includes product reviews, user interviews, product introductions, feature introductions and explanations, and common questions with answers. This site was located at: http://www.mcp.com/que/et/netscape.
06/1993 10/1997 DataStorm Technolgies Staff Developer II / Independent Contributor DATASTORM was a network communications company located in Missiouri. It was bought out by Quarterdeck in 1997.  At the point it was bought out, it had over 350 employees. I was in charge of training all incoming customer service and technical support representatives on the nuances of the ProComm software we developed. l was also in charge of the creation of all training materials associated with business applications used within the corporation.
  •  Provide classroom instruction to DATASTORM employees.
  •    Conduct and assist with research to prepare course materials, and maintain a high level of technical knowledge and expertise over a wide variety of communications technology related areas such as TCP/IP, Fax Technologies, Network APIs, TAPI, all new IBM/PC operating systems, ISDN, and new Internet technologies.
  • Work with both R&D and QA departments to track and test problems discovered in the product development cycle.
  • Document product features, and prepare all training materials for all courses taught under the corporate umbrella.
  • Research base product technologies.
  • Attend project related product development meetings and assist in the development of feature sets based on needs seen in training exercises.
  •  Prepare reviewers guides and demonstration scripts for trade shows, magazine publications, and Value Added Resellers (VARs).
  • Discuss training needs and develop personalized training materials for company employees and VARs.
  • Serve as a resource to employees on company products and other technical issues.
  • Develop tools used to evaluate student knowledge and course effectiveness.
  • Interact with customers as needed to create presentations for off-site/VAR training.
  • Provide technical material to all Quarterdeck subsidiary employees through the training Intranet.
  • Design and implement online employee training progress tracking system for managerial staff.
  • Developed technical white papers and bulletins for distribution on a fax-back system.
  • Wrote script programs for automating communication processes for members of the company, customers, and to serve as examples on electronic support systems.
Other Experience
Economic Development
Joseph, OR Economic Development Committee
I spent 4 years monitoring and providing voluntary support to the Economic Development Committee and Chamber of Commerce of Joseph, Oregon. During this time we increased the tourism industry for the area by 3-fold. Event attendance numbers rose over 100% on average through all "summer" tourism events. We proposed and saw the early beginings of  the development of a new Winter Sports industry which has since attracted more visitors outside of the traditional tourist season that was previously expected. This accounted for an increase in country revenues which has surpassed the deficit created by the loss of much of the timber industry, as well as the decline in the agricultural industry in the area.
Education
From To School Degree Area of Study Description
08/1990 05/1993 Stephens College Bachelors Mathematics / Computer Information Science Stephens College: 1990 - 1993
Bachelors - Mathematics and Computer Science
Primary Studies were in Mathematics and Computer Science
Courses included: Human and Computer Interface Development,  Database Application Development, Technical Writing, and Advanced Digital Logic and Structures
Deans List: 6 Semesters 
GPA:  3.76 out of 4.0

Senior Project: Internship through University of Nebraska-Lincoln Graduate Studies program in Human and Computer Interaction
06/1992 08/1992 University of Nebraska, Lincoln Other Human and Computer Interaction 3 month internship for Master's degree credit focusing on interface and usability design for computer applications.
No items in portfolio
Hourly Assignment History
Buyer ID From To Job Title Billed Hours Hourly Rate Feedback to Provider
29082 03/2008 Present NetObjects Fusion Expert $579 21 hrs $27.78 Job in progress
19074 03/2008 04/2008 Copy Writing/SEO $218 8 hrs $27.78   
Fixed-Price Assignment History
Buyer ID From To Job Title Billed Feedback to Provider
Fixed-Price Assignment History is empty
oDesk Tests Taken
Name of Test Score Percentile Date Taken Duration
Email Etiquette Certification 3.40 72% 03/17/2008 18 min
English Test (Sentence Structure) 4.60 82% TOP 20% 03/05/2008 13 min
HTML 4.01 Test 4.40 97% TOP 10% 03/07/2008 31 min