How I got started

Subject: How I got started
From: Richard Mateosian <srm -at- CYBERPASS -dot- NET>
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1998 11:11:12 -0700

Happy birthday, Eric! Sorry, I don't know any bad jokes.

You can find all the details you're interested in on my website (see
below). Here's the short version of how I got started in technical
writing:

My main interests in high school were math and science, but I had a
great 10th grade English teacher. Also, I read a lot of science fiction
and even tried to write some. My SAT verbal scores were pretty good
(low 700s), but my math scores were 800s. I went to RPI on an
engineering scholarship.

I got a BS in math from RPI, and a PhD in math from UC Berkeley. While
doing the latter I got a full time job as a programmer, and I spent the
first fifteen years of my career as a programmer and development
manager. During that time I wrote many specs and memos, including
helpful information for new programmers. I also spent a great deal of
time and attention on how to write reliable and readable computer
programs.

I used the occasion of a downsizing to change career directions. I
wrote two books for Sybex in 1979-80: Programming the Z8000 and Inside
Basic Games. Through a sad set of circumstances, I missed the chance to
write the first serious book on the IBM PC in 1981.

At that point I dropped my book-authoring career and spent most of the
next decade in technical marketing for the semiconductor industry. I
wrote large numbers of conference papers and trade press articles. I
also joined the editorial board of IEEE Micro.

When I couldn't stand marketing any more, I declared myself to be a
freelance technical writer. That was about eight years ago. Except for
one brief, disastrous attempt to become an employee, I've been
independent ever since.

I'm sure that's more than you wanted to know! ...RM

Richard Mateosian <srm -at- cyberpass -dot- net> www.cyberpass.net/~srm/
Review Editor, IEEE Micro Berkeley, CA

© Copyright 1998. All rights reserved.


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