State of California, Franchise Tax Board, Integrated
Non-Compliance Project (INC), partnered with IBM and Synergy,
Inc.
IBM helped the State of California Franchise Tax Board develop
custom software to more accurately and sensibly track deadbeat
taxpayers. I was contracted to define key concepts with graphics
and animation, using my favorite product Macromedia Flash (along
with another product that I'll use if I get paid, Macromedia Authorware).
I was delighted to find a creative and inventive training crew
there. This was especially pleasing, since the most memorable
event in my history with the FTB up to that time had been going
to the Musicians' Union in Hollywood to pick up a check of several
hundred dollars. I paid my dozens of dollars of dues, and got
a check for a dollar, along with a note from the FTB saying that
based on my previous year's return, they figured I owed a few
thousand dollars. As soon as I filed and paid that, they said
I could have my several hundred. Ducky.
So here's an out-take from my work at FTB. The request was
to make a graphic of filing enforcement, a customer and an
FTB person on the phone. As you can see, I did a little cartoon
of such. Now roll over her telephone.
They got a big laugh at FTB, but somehow it didn't make the
final cut.
IT Training, Intel Corporation; InfoPros:
HRT Associates
Intel had contacted Joan Zeglarski
of HRT Associates to develop a web-based training
program for their new hires. She had a brilliant
idea of an adventure through a land peopled with
castles, spaceships, and robots. The hero of the
adventure is a high-tech warrior named Tecnox, accompanied
by his trusty Technosteed.
Flash was the obvious choice for development
platform, so Joan—of course—called me.
Dan Riordan came on as Project Manager and we began
a series of animated development meetings, scrawling
out rough storyboards and gesturing wildly while
acting out adventures.We just had a blast doing
this project. The product, at this writing, is currently
in use for all new hires at Intel.
Unfortunately, I can’t show you the finished
product, but here's one I created for this page
showing Tecnox and his Technosteed. Slightly different
poses with mouse over and mouse click.
Customer Support Business Unit, Support
Technology Lab, Information Engineering, Hewlett Packard
Using Macromedia products Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Flash,
I developed computer-based training for tech support personnel
at for Hewlet Packard in thirty-five countries deliverable
on PCs and Unix boxes. I developed and edited courseware
and created animations clarifying key concepts. It was 1999,
and I introduced the Roseville campus to Macromedia Flash.
Knowledgen, Inc.
Using Macromedia Director, I worked as part of a team creating
an intricate application interface under a tight deadline. The
project was succesful, and Knowledgen secured a lucrative contract
with a Fortune®100 company.
IT Training, Intel Corporation
Using Macromedia products Authorware
and Flash, I developed computer-based training for tech support
personnel at Intel's Technical Assistance Centers in five
countries. I developed courseware and created animations to
clarify key concepts. It was 1998, and I introduced IT Training
at the Folsom campus to Macromedia Flash. Fortunately, now,
Flash doesn’t need that kind of introduction. A couple
of short animations from that project are in the animation
section.
Apple Computer, Inc.
Explorit Science Center
Produced the two hour long multimedia centerpiece for the UC Davis Explorit Science Center’s Corporate Science Challenge on behalf of Apple Computer. Met with the clients to define the scope of the project; developed a project time line; reviewed the previous year's presentation and recommended and implemented improvements; contracted, acquired, and edited video footage; assembled all the questions, answers, videos, sounds, and music into a seamless linear presentation. As an example, one of the features developed was the ability to periodically scroll competing team scores across the screen within a minute of receiving tab-delimited text from an Excel spreadsheet.
The Explorit Science Center's Corporate Science Challenge is an annual fund raising event held at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento. This year, it was attended by 37 corporations from the region. The format is that of a game show, and each corporation competes in answering science questions narrated by either the master of ceremonies or on-screen celebrities such as Emmy Lou Harris and Steve Wozniak.
Macromedia, Inc.
I got to be a teaching assistant for hands-on training sessions
at the Macromedia Worldwide User Conference, Moscone Hall, San Francisco.
Learned a lot.
Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Healthcare Information Services, Sacramento, California
General Training Company, Rancho Cordova, California
Working with Andy Mileusnic of Sunrise Digital, and Craig Witter
of General Training Company, I developed a CD-ROM-based presentation
module for a major food manufacturer, allowing the user to choose
from a catalog of images, narration, and full-screen full-motion
digital video, and customizing the presentation on the fly, as needed.
Foundation Health, Rancho Cordova, California
Brad Evans Real Estate Loans, Grass Valley, California
I designed an implemented the interface metaphor of a western town
for Brad Evans Real Estate Loans in Grass Valley. The kiosk offers
the user the ability to apply for a loan, view house plans, view
real estate for sale, and view animated ads from local businesses
in related fields. Loan applications are faxed to Brad Evans' office
from the kiosk.
