# The Old Tech Writer (@greenmtndocs.bsky.social)

Profile: https://sifa.id/p/greenmtndocs.bsky.social
Headline: Semi-retired Technical Writer & Documentation Consultant | Short-term contract: docs systems, docs-as-code, editing, API docs | Green Mountain Docs

## About

Nobody reads the docs until something breaks. I write for that moment. After 40 years in technical writing, Ive stepped back from full-time work. I still run Green Mountain Docs, LLC, a documentation consultancy in South Burlington, Vermont, and I take short-term contract and consulting work. Remote, up to ~25 hours a week. What I take on:
\* Documentation system setup: docs-as-code with Markdown, Git, and static site generators
\* Editing and review
\* Documentation audits and content strategy
\* Style guides and standards
\* AI-assisted documentation workflows, including Claude Skills
\* Coaching and mentoring for writers
\* API, developer, and product documentation The results are measurable. At iPaaS.com, I standardized installation instructions across partner products and cut time to publish by 30%. At Agilent, review workflows I introduced shortened cycles by 35%. At The Sheridan Group, a knowledge base I built dropped internal support queries by 60%. I also wrote The Writers Table, a free 35-article series on the craft and career of technical writing: stevearrants.substack.com Contact: sarrants@gmail.com

## Career

- **Owner and Documentation Consultant at Green Mountain Docs, LLC** (Feb 2024 - Present)
  South Burlington
  Short-term contract and consulting for documentation teams. Remote, up to 25 hours a week. Documentation system setup, editing, audits, style guides, AI-assisted workflows, coaching, and API and product documentation.
- **Contract Technical Writer at iPaaS.com** (Feb 2025 - Apr 2026)
  Atlanta, GA
  Sole technical writer for an API-first data integration platform serving developer, partner, and end-user audiences.
  
  Reorganized 17 microservice API error files into a three-layer architecture, cutting volume by ~70% while improving navigability and maintaining completeness. Built and deployed three Claude Agent Skills (JSON-to-Markdown, mapping table generator, installation doc generator) that automate conversion of iPaaS JSON exports into publication-ready documentation — eliminating hours of manual formatting per integration. Designed a documentation overhaul migrating content from an ad-hoc Intercom structure to a scalable system aligned with product development cycles. Proposed a Markdown/Git/MkDocs/Intercom pipeline to replace the Word/MadCap Flare workflow, including a hybrid repo structure, phased adoption path, and cost-benefit analysis. Worked directly with Product and Development to establish content workflows and documentation standards across engineering teams.
- **Technical Writer, Expert at Agilent Technologies** (Jun 2021 - Aug 2024)
  Winooski
  Documented lab and cell analysis hardware and software for end users and field staff across 15+ scientific instrumentation products, achieving 100% regulatory compliance across the portfolio.
  
  Rewrote, rebranded, and converted 12 documentation sets to new Agilent standards, restructuring content architecture while preserving technical accuracy. Introduced peer review frameworks and LLM-assisted editing workflows, cutting review cycles by 35%. Produced online and print documentation in MadCap Flare, managing single-source publishing for multiple output formats and audiences.
- **Senior Content Developer at Jitterbit** (Jul 2019 - Jun 2021)
  Reduced support ticket volume by 40% through targeted improvements to user guides and release notes — one of the highest-impact content initiatives in company history at the time.
  
  Created API documentation and integration guides for workflows connecting Snowflake, Jira, ServiceNow, and other enterprise platforms.
  
  Established Agile docs-as-code workflows in Confluence, publishing on a two- to three-week release cadence.
- **Senior Content Developer and Technical Support Specialist at The Sheridan Group** (Aug 2014 - Jul 2019)
  Waterbury
  Built a knowledge base that reduced internal support queries by 60%.
  
  Wrote integration guides for publisher systems that cut client onboarding from four weeks to one and a half.
  
  Single-sourced Help for 16 clients, covering common and client-specific features from one content base.
  
  Created tutorials with Camtasia and Articulate.
- **Writing Manager at Data Innovations LLC** (Mar 2013 - Jul 2014)
  South Burlington
  Led the technical writing team, establishing standardized documentation processes and source control practices.
  
  Cut documentation costs by 15% through single sourcing.
  
  Built metric-based documentation review frameworks adopted across the department.
- **Senior Technical Writer at MBF Bioscience** (Mar 2004 - Mar 2013)
  Williston
  Managed documentation end-to-end — planning, writing, and maintenance — for eleven applications from a single content source over nine years.
  
  Introduced print-on-demand and EPub publishing, reducing production costs and turnaround time.
  
  Provided editorial support to Technical Support and Marketing/Sales teams.
- **Senior Technical Writer at Medical Manager Practice Services (a WebMD Company)** (Sep 2002 - Dec 2003)
  Created documentation for FQHC medical practice management software using a single-source publishing system generating print, online, support, and interactive tutorials while meeting all dates and deliverables on time. Oversaw production of all documentation, including marketing and compliance documents. Saved 20% in costs by performing in-house printing and binding of documents. Managed one on-site and two off-site writers. Conducted sales force training on new features of software.
- **Senior Technical Writer at iDrive/Anuvio Technologies** (Dec 2001 - Jun 2002)
  Created technical documentation for internal and external (partner) use, including white papers, programming /API references, and tutorials.
  
  Designed and delivered online help for Cellular / PDA combos.
- **Writing Manager at ROIDirect.com** (Apr 2000 - Nov 2001)
  Directed the production of all internal and external documentation for an e-commerce/CRM company.
  
  Managed multiple projects by setting project goals, allocating resources (8 direct reports), establishing deadlines, and monitoring progress.
  
  Worked with QA and Development to put into place publishing systems that achieved measurably greater productivity.
- **Senior Editor at CNET** (Feb 1998 - Mar 2000)
  San Francisco, CA
  Created and directed all content, tone, and style for Web site while overseeing all production. Oversaw a successful redesign and relaunch of the Web site in 1999, which included fresh content and user-driven articles and tutorials. Responsible for determining business strategy, hiring, staff development, and management of eight staff and numerous freelancers. Worked with senior editors of other CNET Web sites to schedule and determine content stories and with advertisers and agencies to better position and deliver advertisements. Analyzed Web ratings to determine content for audiences.
- **Senior Writer and Trainer at CNET** (Feb 1997 - Feb 1998)
  San Francisco, CA
  Designed and wrote documentation for internal proprietary software, including standards, practices, and procedures guidelines for CNET sites and CNET partner content. Trained over 300 staff members on internal software and procedures.
- **Documentation Manager at Applied Business Technology** (Jan 1996 - Feb 1997)
  Directed 16 bi-coastal writers and editors, scheduling all documentation from design to distribution. Led a successful documentation redesign for online delivery. Modularized documentation, allowing for ease of reuse for different audiences and delivery mechanisms. Coordinated and implemented the transfer of documentation operations from New York to California, preparing documentation group for integration with a merger partner’s operations in Massachusetts.
- **Senior Online Writer at Autodesk** (Jun 1993 - Dec 1995)
  Wrote end-user product documentation for AutoCAD and associated products.
  
  Directed the design and migration of print documentation to online Help format.
  
  Created online demos and tutorials for end-users.
- **Manager of User Documentation at Reference Software International** (Apr 1992 - May 1993)
  Supervised and coordinated documentation group (20 direct reports in San Francisco and New Mexico) activities for all end-user and technical documentation on dictionary and grammar products.
  
  Merged and transferred documentation operations in San Francisco and New Mexico to our merger partner in Utah, Word Perfect Corporation.
- **Senior Technical Writer at Microsoft Corporation** (Dec 1986 - Mar 1992)
  Wrote product documentation for end users.
  
  User Education member on the Microsoft Online Help system, which was the foundation of online documentation systems used today.
  
  Documented programming reference manuals for Microsoft Word, Word for Windows, and other products.

## Publications

- Building Your Own Website — O'Reilly and Associates (Sep 1996) http://oreilly.com/catalog/9781565922327/
- Designing Windows 95 Help: A Guide to Creating Online Documents — Que (Jan 1996) http://www.amazon.com/Designing-Windows-95-Help-Documents/dp/0789703629

## Skills

### Other
- Adobe Acrobat
- Agile Methodologies
- API Documentation
- Articulate Suite
- Camtasia
- Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
- Confluence
- Content Strategy
- Docs as Code
- Docs-as-code
- Documentation Management
- Editing
- Git
- HTML
- MadCap Flare
- Markdown
- Microsoft Azure
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Office Delve
- Online Content Creation
- Online Help
- Online Help Development
- Python (Programming Language)
- SnagIt
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Technical Writing
- User Documentation
- User Experience (UX)
- User Experience Design (UED)

## Credentials

- Introduction to Security in the World of AI — Google (Oct 2026)
- AI Fluency for students — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/c860f3600fa36f5e21fab31cc9b9fd14
- Introduction to Large Language Models — Google (Oct 2026)
- Responsible AI: Applying AI Principles with Google Cloud — Google (Oct 2026)
- Innovating with Google Cloud Artificial Intelligence — Google (Oct 2026)
- Introduction to Model Context Protocol — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/4e415a4f5d0041412920b271476abfa5
- Introduction to Claude Tag — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/e4a797d81226d7aef02f852249323a1d
- Introduction to Claude Cowork — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/a4ac62a2c269c3df9cb0c548051c7204
- Claude Platform 101 — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/ee6a4b8400edc465376631f672e903f5
- Claude Code 101 — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/421f8919fda76b4082ceb178bad7eeda
- Introduction to Generative AI — Google (Oct 2026)
- Claude 101 — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/4c6993243e74947be24a85247df8c371
- AI Fluency for small businesses — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/f8db6bdb42d877b168f4e2c9359b5ab9
- AI Fluency for nonprofits — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/ec2b6626eae30d4cce7393a60e539ab9
- AI Fluency for creative work — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/79cbb87059b43c70b8211360220a17cc
- AI Fluency for builders — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/820522c18db7f21ec5a956aeee9fb8ca
- AI Fluency: Framework and foundations — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/77a65c97daea0c0ffc6892d60e616b1e
- Claude Code in action — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/c5bdac20573310fa6682895df56a344b
- Deploying Claude Enterprise with confidence: The five decisions that shape your rollout — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/5265cdc5651c6feb53736f98804c9688
- AI capabilities and limitations — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/dc6743b79730be8f117b418110a0b878
- Claude with Google Cloud's Vertex AI — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/317e09b9b6edc982d3b2bd4f9d3e80e0
- Building effective human-agent teams (beta) — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/e96f7697dc018ede90538bd3aaf0e9c6
- Model Context Protocol: Advanced topics — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/eecb7ec5d0816963cea215e98ad4b262
- Building with the Claude API — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/6cd991dd8ce90f7c2d71cf3c1126a3a5
- Claude with Amazon Bedrock — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/a9c027d3429b653f88ad6e5ffc930aa3
- AI Fluency for pK–12 educators — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/f4189997f7725aecb4cbdaf006818672
- AI Fluency for educators — Anthropic (Oct 2026) https://academy.claude.com/verify/0c97d4e2fac746888ef796ee1ee015ee
- AI Fluency for pK-12 Train the Trainer — Anthropic
- Introduction to agent skills — Anthropic
- Introduction to subagents — Anthropic

## Education

- **Drew University** — BA, Anthropology (Bachelor) (1975 - 1979)