Resume: Marc Schnapp- Technical Writer (Framemaker, Quadralay WebWorks, RoboHelp, HTML skills

Marc B. Schnapp

Core competencies: technical writing, web development, database analysis & design, training.

	Resume
	Tools Languages Summary Projects: Technical writing Projects: Web development Experience Industry Activities Education

Tools

Documentation Tools:
FrameMaker, Microsoft Word (including macro programming), Adobe Acrobat, Visio, Quadralay WebWorks, RoboHelp, Pagemaker, Dreamweaver, HomeSite
Vignette StoryServer (web, content management system), Tcl, HTML, Javascript.
Web Servers:
Netscape/iPlanet Enterprise Server, Microsoft IIS, Apache
Other Web Technologies:
Active Server Pages (ASP), Lotus Notes/ Lotus Domino, CGI
Databases:
Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase, FoxPro, dBASE, Clipper
Platforms:
Intel (MSDOS, Windows, Windows NT, Windows 95), Macintosh, some Solaris, Linux
Languages:
Tcl, SQL, BASIC (Visual Basic, Visual Basic for Applications), Lotuscript, Xbase, Pascal (some Perl, Java)

Tcl

Scopus Technology used Tcl as the customization language for all of its products. I took the full battery of Scopus training courses to learn Tcl and customization techniques.
When I joined Scopus as Webmaster, I inherited various CGI scripts all written in Tcl.
I used Tcl as the CGI language for all future scripts.
This intensive experience prepared me for writing StoryServer templates.

Vignette StoryServer

I evaluated and championed Vignette as the web site foundation at Scopus Technology. After offering capability demonstrations to the CFO, IT Director and CEO, the product was approved and purchased. I had total responsibility for 9 months for all aspects of the site development: database design, architecting the system and developing the majority of the templates. Architecting the system included:

Designing and implementing a "metatable" to describe all menu navigation for the web site. This metatable made it possible to instantly change the text in the menus, determine the sort order, hierarchical level and alter which template was called from any given menu item. This design (not a feature internal to StoryServer) simplified site operation and maintenance by allowing us to avoid hard coding the navigation system within any of the templates. I wrote most of the templates for the site during the initial 9 months.
Supplementing the default StoryServer Tcl procedure library. Although StoryServer provides for a library procedures that can be maintained within the developer interface, there are a number of disadvantages to using this facility when you have code that needs to be called extensively from the various templates. When the templates have a high dependency on a certain block of code, it was clear that it belonged in a central place. This not only made the site more maintainable, it also improved performance. Code going into the central procedure library had to be tested for reliability before giving it central responsibility.
Clients include: TechTV (formerly ZDTV), The Industry Standard, Astaga!

StoryServer Training and Supervision

During a 3-month period, I trained 2 contractors and supervised template development and HTML markup. Before leaving Scopus, I trained a new hire in Tcl and StoryServer so that he could assume further development responsibilities.

Technical Writing

My hands on programming and training experience gives me invaluable insights and makes me a highly efficient technical publications specialist. Clients have included Microsoft, Quarterdeck, Voysys, and MicroMega Systems.

Languages

HTML, Javascript, Tcl, SQL, LotusScript, BASIC (Visual Basic, Visual Basic for Applications VBA, LotusScript), Xbase (FoxPro, Visual FoxPro, dBASE, Clipper), some Perl, Pascal. Studied Java (SFSU, UC Berkeley)

Summary

Practical experience operating and shaping a corporate presence web site.
Seasoned technical writer with hands-on experience developing and training for desktop applications.
Experience in maintaining single source documentation: hard copy, Acrobat Windows help, HTML help and Web documents.
Repurposing print documents, training, marketing materials for web, Acrobat multimedia.
Providing visionary leadership.
Database design and development can be leveraged for additional world wide web interfaces.
Skilled in multiple scripting languages

Javascript
Perl
Tcl
BASIC (VB, VBA, Active Server Pages)
LotusScript
Xbase language (FoxPro, Visual FoxPro, dBASE)
recently mastered Java, JSP

Expert user of Framemaker, Microsoft Word (including VBA scripting), Adobe Acrobat, Pagemaker (and more).
Business perspective:

MBA, Information Systems.
BA, Corporate Communications (marketing, PR, advertising)

Projects: Technical Writing

Comstock Systems: Manuals about storage management software, online help systems (Framemaker, Quadralay WebWorks)
Microsoft: Relational Database Concepts (internal training course)

Quarterdeck: various software user manuals for a general audience including QEMM-286 (version 2), DesqView/X Utilities Guide
MicroMega Systems: Foxfire Developer Guide, Tutorial, User Guide
Pacific Bell Video Systems: (Technical Writer/Content Developer) Wrote a broad range of materials for consumer support call center. Topics included: television and cable programming, consumer electronics capabilities, troubleshooting techniques. Wrote WebWorks macros to produce hundreds of web pages.

Projects: Web Development

TechTV: (Vignette development). Designed/developed CMA and CDA templates (Tcl). Database analysis and design.
Indonesia Online/Astaga!: (Architecture consulting) Engaged by CEO to evaluate skills and technology. Developed content-oriented visitor analysis system using data mining techniques.
Industry Standard: (Vignette development) CMA and CDA templates (Tcl). Database analysis and design.
Providian Financial: (Web usability) Visual Basic and ASP for user interface prototypes of call center application.
Forte Software: Web development and content management using Domino, ASP and Perl.
(Forte is now a division of Sun Microsystems)
Scopus Technology: (Webmaster/web developer) Introduced Vignette to organization. Architected application structure, designed database schema, implemented CMA and CDA templates.
(Scopus was acquired by Siebel Systems)
Pacific Bell Video Systems: (HTML/Javascript producer) Created more than 600 web pages, wrote WebWorks macros.

Experience

Technical Communications Consultant
ServiceMarc Consulting	April 2007 - present
Engaged in a variety of technical communications projects. Current project: Devising strategy for and authoring a full documentation set for a financial decisioning application suite (software as a service). Deliverables include developer guides, user manuals for line of business users, planning documents for business analysts and project managers.

Senior Technical Writer
Salesforce.com	April 2004 - April 2007
Responsible for procedural operations documentation for all internal systems. Prepare and maintain disaster recovery documentation. Author technical documents assisting prospective customers. Audiences: System administrators, network engineers, database administrators, developers, CIO.

Senior Technical Writer
Hitachi Storage Software Inc. (formerly Comstock Systems -- now Hitachi Data Systems)	October 2001 - April 2004
Conceive and write full documentation sets for storage management software. Online help systems using a single source approach. Audiences: System administrators, storage network managers, IT management.
Vignette StoryServer Consultant
TechTV (formerly ZDTV)	September 2000 - April 2001
CMA development, database design in expanded and rebranded web site.

Vignette StoryServer Consultant
Indonesia Online / Astaga	July 2000 - August 2000
Strategic consulting engagement to CEO, technology and marketing management. Provided guidance on application architecture and database design. Systems analysis. Developed a migration strategy. Initiated a data mining project to better understand customer base.

Vignette StoryServer Developer
The Industry Standard	February 2000 - June 2000
Designing and developing content entry templates. Systems analysis. Database schema design. Mentoring entry level employees.

Web Developer/Analyst
Providian Financial	June 1999 - September 1999
Architected and developed prototype web interface for an internal call center application. Researched, advise in the selection of an application server. Plan for second phase deployment to outsourced call centers. Javascript client-side scripting. Confer with Java development team and object architect. Produce user interface prototypes using ASP (Vbscript) and Notes/Domino (Lotusscript).

Webmaster

Forte Software (now a division of Sun Microsystems)

November 1997 - June 1999

Responsible for design and operational integrity of corporate web site (public web pages and protected customer service web site). Create Notes databases, formulas, views enhance with HTML and Javascript and deploy via Domino. Administer Netscape web server. Supervise application development. Developed search system using Active Server Pages (ASP) and Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS).

Plan and architect company's first intranet.
Establish systems and procedures for orderly update of content.
Introduce expanded customer service and support features.
Built team with marketing staff to ensure web is consistent with corporate image strategy.

(Forte Software was subsequently acquired by Sun Microsystems.)

Webmaster

Scopus Technology, Inc. (acquired by Siebel Systems)

April 1996 - November 1997

Responsible for design and operational integrity of corporate web site (public web pages and protected customer service web site). Operate secure FTP server. Create Tcl-based CGI scripts for forms processing and database access. Implement interfaces to corporate database (customer service, sales leads, technical support). Serve as editor of content. Author and edit content. Direct graphics professionals to realize communications goals. Repurpose documents for web distribution. Supervise MIS staff to meet security requirements.

Design and implement database schema, templates and scripts for 3rd generation website. All content will be assembled and served up from Sybase using StoryServer.
Establish systems and procedures for orderly update of content.
Consult with software engineers to enrich functionality of employer's commercial web interface applications.
Built team with marketing communications staff to ensure web is consistent with corporate image strategy.

(Scopus Technology was subsequently acquired by Siebel.)

Technical Writer (Contractor)
Pacific Bell Video Services	August 1995 - April 1996
Architect, write and deploy intranet site for customer service. Supervise team of content providers. Develop and disseminate print and online materials used by technicians and call center. Developed series of tips for e-mail users. Developed paper materials using Framemaker. Deployed first version of 250-page intranet website in 2 weeks (using Webworks Publisher, a Framemaker to HTML porting tool)

Consultant
Primary Key Consulting	November 1992 - April 1996
Prepare user manuals, Windows on-line help. Develop custom database applications including database publishing. Consult with software vendors: shape product feature sets, perform market analyses. Established and served as Chairperson for the ANSI Xbase language standard committee. Train application developers in object oriented programming with Visual FoxPro. Clients: Microsoft, CS First Boston (Japan), Quarterdeck Office Systems, StarBase, MicroMega Systems

Chief Consultant
Micro Business Services, Inc.	July 1984 - October 1992
Served as an independent programmer/analyst. Created user manuals and briefing documents. Developed and led national 2-day dBASE seminars for the American Management Associations. Provide training on FoxPro, dBASE, Framework, Pagemaker. Presented dBASE IV, Framework seminars for Ashton-Tate. Developed FoxPro, dBASE and Clipper applications for clients in financial services and publishing industries Clients: Citicorp, Paine Webber, Frost & Sullivan, Executive Computer Network, New Jersey Small Business Development Center

Director of Seminars and Conferences
Frost & Sullivan, Inc.	July 1983 - July 1984
Computerized registration. Introduced, planned and scheduled IT seminars for Europe's largest computer training provider.

Assistant Public Relations Director
Frost & Sullivan, Inc.	March 1983 - July 1983
Press liaison to computer journalists. Created newsclip database system. Wrote, edited, and distributed news releases describing market research regarding computer and communications markets. Placements include New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Business Week, InfoWorld.

Industry Activities

Chairperson, X3J19 Xbase language standard committee
(preparing ANSI and ISO standards)
President and founder, Professional Association of Database Developers (PADD)
Editorial Advisory Board and Contributor, DBMS Magazine
Chairperson, dBASE Advisory Board: Borland Database Conference
Secretary, IEEE Database Language Standards Committee (IEEE #1192)
Organizing Committee, International Dbase Users Group
Chairperson, PC Database Conference, Database World (DCI Conferences)

Education

MBA, Information Systems

New York University (Stern School of Business)

In addition: completed all classroom requirements for MA, Journalism

BA, Corporate Communications

City University of New York

Summa Cum Laude
Bernard Baruch Prize for Excellence In Investigative Economic Journalism

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