Sean Hower
Email: shower4@excite.com
URL: http://hokum.freehomepage.com

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--OBJECTIVE--

Technical Communicator



--QUALIFICATIONS--

Proven excellence in the following areas:
* Large document project management
* Procedural and tutorial focused documentation
* Digital graphics and art layout
* Online help and web development to W3C standards



--SKILLS--

* Writing
* Editing
* Interviewing
* Research
* Desktop publishing
* Project management
* Section 508 and WCAG
* Contextual inquiry
* Usability
* Personas
* Plain English
* Government procedures
* Anthropology
* Linguistics
* Japanese
* HTML
* XHTML
* XML
* XSL
* DTD
* CSS
* PDF
* JavaScript
* DOM
* OOP
* .NET framework
* VB.NET
* SDK and API documenting
* Relational databases
* SQL
* Martin data modeling
* Wireless networks
* RoboHelp
* ForeHelp
* Dreamweaver
* Homesite
* Web Matrix
* Microsoft Office
* OpenOffice
* FrameMaker
* PhotoShop
* GIMP
* Visio
* Snagit
* Visual Source Safe
* Visual Studio .NET



--EXPERIENCE--

11/2000-Present
Hansen Information Technologies
Sacramento, CA
Technical Writer
* Researched, designed, and produced online help and print documents for e-government solutions with RoboHelp, Word, Visio, and Dreamweaver
* Researched, designed, and produced user guides, training manuals, installation procedures, configuration procedures, SDK and API, ERDs, white papers, and case studies for e-government mobile, server, and database solutions
* Researched QA procedures regarding internal software use and produced test guidelines
* Led design process for next-generation online help
* Researched and produced XML-based implementation for online help incorporating XSL and JavaScript
* Worked closely with product manager to contribute to the overall success of the product
* Researched and performed audience analysis using persona-based methods
* Translated interface into Japanese for demonstration presentations
* Designed and implemented XHTML-based department intranet site 
* Designed and maintained templates for online help and print documents


7/2000
Campus Engine
Folsom, CA
Technical Writer Consultant
* Researched and produced documentation for email server administration software with Word
* Researched and produced documentation for Internet messaging software  with Word

2002
Lidium Online (volunteer)
Editor and Layout Specialist
* Developed and implemented templates for game manual using Word and FrameMaker
* Edited game manual
* Participated in site-wide redesign with an international team


06/1999-11/2000
Play Incorporated
Rancho Cordova, CA
Technical Writer
* Researched, designed, and produced print manual for 3D graphics software with FrameMaker and PhotoShop
* Researched, designed and produced online help prototype for 3D graphics  software with ForeHelp, Animation: Master, and Flash
* Designed and produced online documentation for 3D graphics pack with   RoboHelp and Homesite
* Researched and produced hardware design specs with Word
* Designed and implemented first draft department style guideline
* Translated Japanese text for character generator software


--EDUCATION--

1994-1999
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
Bachelors of Arts in anthropology and linguistics
* Graduated top 10% of class
* Honors in anthropology (including undergraduate thesis "Shougatsu"
* Member of Phi Beta Kappa honors society
* Fluent in Japanese


2005 - 
American River College
Sacramento, CA
Associates in computer programming (ongoing)
* Computer programming and business classes



--INTERESTS--

* Writing and publishing (see http://hokum.freehomepage.com/Content/AboutMe/About_Pubs.html )
(upcoming article on Techwr-L "An XML Primer")
* Web development and writing related site at http://hokum.freehomepage.com
* "Notes from the Cubicle" technical writing column for WriteThinking e-zine (2003-2004)
* 3D graphics and graphic art
* Anthropology and linguistics
* Japanese language, culture and society