Self-Introduction: Debra Deutsch

[Debra Deutsch]

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Full legal name - Debra Deutsch.  (My friends call me Debbie.)

City, Country - Boston, USA

Profession or Student status - Product Manager (telecommunications
products).

Company, School, or other affiliation - EG&H, Inc.  My interest in the
Fedora Project is strictly personal.

My goals in the Fedora Project

What do I want to write about?  My primary interest is to write about
topics that will help people who are comfortable with computer software
and hardware but are not expert in Linux.  That is how I see myself.
These readers understand operating system principals, the functions of
the hardware components in a computer system, and how the hardware and
software work together.  They may be willing to take on complex tasks
that are not appropriate to a non-technical user.  On the other hand,
they may not have all the Linux-specific knowledge that some discussions
of advanced topics assume.

What other documentation do you want to see published?  I have no
suggestions now, but may have some after I gain experience with the project.

Do you want to edit for grammar/writing and/or technical accuracy?  I
can edit for grammar if that would be useful.  I would want some
experience writing for the project before I offered to edit for style.
As I am not an Linux expert, my ability to edit for technical accuracy
is limited, but probably not zero.

Anything else special? I would be happy to start by helping someone who
has a large task, or by taking on very small tasks of my own.  I would
rather do a good, timely job on something small than a mediocre or late
job on something too large or complex.  I am new here.

Historical qualifications

What other projects or writing have you worked on in the past?  I have
never participated in an open source or similar large volunteer effort.
 However I have a great deal of paid experience working in large,
geographically distributed groups to accomplish complex projects.  For
example, I have participated in technical standards committees and on
product teams in large, multinational corporations.  Even though I have
never held a position as a technical writer, writing has always been an
important part of my work.  I have authored technical reports, standards
documents, and all kinds of product collaterol.  I have also been paid
to write articles and a book chapter for publication.

What level and type of computer skills do you have? I have been using
computers for more than 30 years and have a good understanding of
operating system and system architecture principles.  I have worked as a
software engineer.  That was a long time ago; I am not qualified to
write about development using modern Linux tools. (On the other hand, I
probably would be a good choice to try out a HOWTO aimed at readers who
were new to a tool.)  In recent years I have used Windows as my primary
computing environment in my workplace.  At the same time, I have also
been using Linux in more a limited way at home.  Three years ago, I
converted an old Windows system to Redhat 9.0, so I could run my own
mail server for my domain.  I am writing this email using a new system
that I assembled from parts and a downloaded FC4 distribution.    Other
than using it as a file server, my plan is to make this system the
administrative hub of my home computing environment.

What other skills do you have that might be applicable?  I am
experienced at project management, inbound marketing, and outbound
marketing.  My inbound marketing experience has been primarily with
requirements definition.  My outbound marketing experience includes
writing product collaterol, such as brochures, white papers, and
specification sheets.  I know a fair amount about data networking and
the Internet.

What makes you an excellent match for the project?  I have had a great
deal of fun with my Redhat and Fedora projects.  I take on something
complex and learn along the way.  There is a fine sense of
accomplishment when everything works.  The project is an opportunity to
share my enthusiasm with other people who are considering jumping into
the Fedora pool.  Perhaps I can help make it easier for them to swim
when they do.

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