James M Pyles

SUMMARY

A reliable technical writer, editor, technician and information architect.

TECHNOLOGY

RoboHelp Office 5 and 6	HTML/CSS
SnagIT 2.4	Microsoft Office 2003
GIMP	OpenOffice.org Office Suite
JavaScript	Camtasia Studio 2
VMWare Workstation 5.5	LaTeX Markup Language in Kile Environment
Ethernet Rollout Projects	Hardware and OS Upgrades
PC Desktop Support	Linux Support
SharePoint Portal Server 2003	Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007
TCP/IP and Network Configuration	Installation and Troubleshooting

WORK EXPERIENCE

Stratus/HP     September 2008 to Current

Developmental Editor

• Define, design, and develop strategies and techniques for internal/external business, technical, program, and product specific instructional/informational performance solutions that meet customer needs and goals.
• Work cross-functionally with various business divisions, such as engineering, services, sales, marketing, and/or other business contacts to determine business needs.
• Develop informational/instructional material using the most appropriate of a variety of methods and technologies.
• Periodically function as project manager, including directing and reviewing work of internal and external (contract or outsourced) team members.
• Periodically act as a team or project leader providing direction to team activities and facilitates information validation and team decision-making process.
• Manage communications and negotiations with customer, subject matter experts, and end users, ensuring quality, cost, and time-to-market standards.
• Apply developed subject matter knowledge to solve common and complex business issues within established guidelines and recommends appropriate alternatives.
• Look at content data by issue/topic and review customer comments to identify possible issues or trends.

COMSYS/Keynetics, Inc     April 2008 to September 2008

Technical Writer

• Develop documentation for Kount web application using LaTeX markup language format in KDE Kile application and compile output in PDF.
• Develop online help in LaTeX format for application developers.
• Create documentation for the Kount User Guide, Technical Specifications Guide, API Specifications Guide, and Infrastructure Guide, adapting presentation for multiple audiences with a range of technical experience.
• Create and edit screen captures and other graphics using the GIMP graphics editor.
• Create and edit PowerPoint 2007 presentations.
• Create and edit professional biographies for company executives, technical articles, and job descriptions.
• Utilize Fogbugz bug tracking system.
• Utilize Subversion for all document versioning management.

TEKSystems/iAnywhere/Sybase     October 2007 to February 2008

Senior Technical Writer

• Developed online help files for the OneBridge mobile client and server products.
• Continually updated OneBridge mobile client and server documentation to include new features, bug fixes, and other changes.
• Created new content related to OneBridge support for the Apple iPhone mobile platform.
• Reviewed the operations on how the OneBridge client software is downloaded, installed, and configured on different hand held devices including different operating system and hardware products.
• Utilized the Bugzilla bug tracking system to manage work assignments and tasks.
• Utilized RoboHelp Office 5 to create, maintain, and update all relevant help file content.
• Utilized Subversion software repository application to commit all new and updated help file information to the system so that information can be included in subsequent builds.
• Utilized Microsoft Virtual PC to install and test OneBridge server products with IBM Domino mail servers on the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 platform.
• Created scripts for video and audio content and for product training guides.

Sakson & Taylor/Aquent Studios     April 2007 to September 2007

Technical Writer

• Developed online help files for Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.1 on UNIX.
• Created content for Adobe FlashCast Operations Manuals, focusing on command-line interface (CLI) commands and syntax used to administer Data Source and FlashCast server clusters.
• Created and edit content for Adobe Flash Lite testing and operations manuals including the Adobe Acceptance Test Suite (ATS) and web portal.
• Developed end-user product manuals.
• Edited and produced work for a new release of customer publishing products.
• Worked with a geographically dispersed writing and editing team to produce new content.
• Troubleshooting of production issues for HTML, XML, and PDF creation.

TEKSystems/Micron Technologies     May 2006 to March 2007

Technical Writer/SharePoint Site Administrator

• Designed Microsoft SharePoint Portal Intranet Site for multiple software development teams at Micron.
• Gathered data from multiple legacy Intranet sites, updated, and consolidated the information into a single site.
• Utilized HTML and JavaScript in the design and implementation of the Intranet site.
• Consulted with software engineers on how information regarding programming languages, applications and libraries/APIs are required to be presented on the Intranet site.
• Created security access schemes, allowing in-house software engineers full access to data while limiting access for outside developers.
• Researched tutorial and other educational resources and make them available for software engineers on the Intranet.
• Converted multiple software repositories from PVCS to Subversion version control utility.
• Created information architecture for Micron's ISSOPS team and their supported audiences.

EmergeCore Networks     July 2004 to March 2006

Technical Writer

• Designed and developed all the content for the Linux-based CoreVista Web Operating System
• User Manual in an easy-to-understand format.
• Created and maintained all instructional information in the help files for the CoreVista Web Operating System interface.
• Researched and established all of the content for the EmergeCore website support page including FAQs, HOW TOs, Troubleshooting Knowledge Base, and Technical Glossary.
• In team collaboration analyzed and evaluated all technical, training for sales staff using web and PowerPoint formats.
• Coordinated input from engineering and support teams and documented all testing procedures and developing feature sets of the operating system.
• Generated all press releases, promotional email newsletters, sales presentations and other sales and marketing content related to the technical product.
• Created information architecture for EmergeCore support department.

HP Human Factors Lab     February 2004 to July 2004

Usability Lab Technical Support

• Maintained all test subject computers, control room computers and servers, and team member laptops.
• Configured and maintained all network, audio, and video connections for two usability labs and an observation room.
• Supported specialized server software applications including eye-tracking applications and digital recording applications.
• Determined hardware and software needs of the usability labs, researching available techologies and recommending purchases.
• Supported operating systems including Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP.
• Installed and configured personal computers, laptops, hubs, switches, and other connectivity devices on a test-by-test basis.
• Responded to any hardware or software issues that occured during live testing and resolved the issues as quickly as possible.
• Worked with the HP IT support staff to integrate the usability lab equipment with the HP corporate network infrastructure including anti-virus updates, patches, and hotfixes.
• Maintained surplus equipment inventory, periodically evaluating and testing equipment to determine ongoing utility, including computers, servers, printers, and other hardware.

PUBLICATIONS

Author

March 2008
MCTS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Configuration Study Guide: Exam 70-630
By James Pyles
Sybex Publications
672 Pages - Paperback

September 2007
Sharepoint 2007: The Definitive Guide
By James Pyles, Christopher Buechler, Bob Fox, et al.
O'Reilly Press
904 Pages - Paperback

December 2006
PC Technician Street Smarts:
A Real World Guide to CompTIA A+ Skills
By James Pyles
Sybex Publications
400 Pages - Paperback

Techical Editor

October 2008
SharePoint for Project Management: How to Create a Project Management Information System (PMIS) with SharePoint
by Dux Raymond Sy
O'Reilly Press
384 Pages - Paperback

September 2007
Essential SharePoint 2007: A Practical Guide for Users, Administrators, and Developers
by Jeff Webb
O'Reilly Press
445 pages - Paperback

EDUCATION

August 2003 Boise State University
BAS Degree in Computer Network Support

Summer 2002 Completed Cisco Network Academy
Semesters One through Four

Spring 1985 California State University, Fullerton
MS Degree in Counseling Psychology

Spring 1983 San Francisco State University
BA Degree in Psychology