Paul Robertson

Current

• Sr. ActionScript Developer/Writer at Adobe Systems

Past

• Author, Technical Reviewer (contract) at Peachpit Press
• Sr. Web Application Developer and User Education Specialist at Indiana University
• ActionScript Developer/Writer (contract) at Adobe Systems

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Education

• Indiana University Bloomington
• University of Utah
• Snow College

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Connections

43 connections

Industry

Computer Software

Websites

• My Blog
• Twitter updates

Paul Robertson’s Summary

I am an experienced web applications developer, trainer, and technical writer. I am passionate about designing the best user experience in all aspects of what I do -- designing useful and usable applications; thoroughly commenting my code; architecting easy-to-understand APIs; writing clear, accurate, and thorough documentation; and always looking for ways to improve performance and experience in everything from professional processes to household chores.

I am currently most interested in software design. I believe design and development should be a fluid, interactive, iterative process, involving users early and throughout the process.

My philosophy of design relies on open communication and participation in and with the user community -- representing users to [the product developers/managers], representing [the product developers/managers] to users, and doing so by being a peer and member of the user community. I try to keep a close connection to the user community to maintain deep understanding of users' needs, goals, and ways of working.

Paul Robertson’s Specialties:

Web application development: front end including Flash, Flex, HTML/CSS, ASP.NET custom controls; back-end including web/database, data modeling, advanced SQL; languages/frameworks (in order of expertise): ActionScript, C#/ASP.NET, Flex, PHP, Java; database systems (in order of experience): SQL Server, SQLite (via Adobe AIR), MySQL, Oracle.

Paul Robertson’s Experience

• Sr. ActionScript Developer/Writer

  Adobe Systems

  (Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; ADBE; Computer Software industry)

  September 2006 — Present (2 years 11 months)

  I write developer documentation and develop sample applications for Adobe developer products such as Flash Player (ActionScript), Flex, and Adobe AIR.

• Author, Technical Reviewer (contract)

  Peachpit Press

  (Public Company; Publishing industry)

  May 2005 — November 2008 (3 years 7 months)

  I co-authored the book "Macromedia Flash 8 Advanced: Visual QuickPro Guide." Later I served as a technical editor for other books on Flash ActionScript programming.

• Sr. Web Application Developer and User Education Specialist

  Indiana University

  (Educational Institution; 5001-10,000 employees; Higher Education industry)

  June 2003 — September 2006 (3 years 4 months)

  I was the lead developer and designer for internal and public web applications for a computer training group (customer tracking, workshop scheduling, online registration, sales of printed materials, etc.). Programming was primarily in Microsoft ASP.NET/C#, SQL Server, as well as Adobe Flash and Flex and some ColdFusion. I did most of the development, but I also led design teams and mentored and supervised other employees in design and development work.
  
  I also taught and wrote workshops on web and programming topics including Flash, ActionScript, SQL, Dreamweaver, HTML, and CSS.

• ActionScript Developer/Writer (contract)

  Adobe Systems

  (Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; ADBE; Computer Software industry)

  March 2006 — September 2006 (7 months)

  I developed sample applications and wrote documentation for ActionScript 3.0 and Flex.

Paul Robertson’s Education

• Indiana University Bloomington

  M.S. , Instructional Systems Technology , 2001 — 2003

  Chancellor's Fellowship recipient. Coursework emphasis on user-centered design ("unofficial" double major in Human Computer Interaction design).

• University of Utah

  BA , Linguistics , 1997 — 2001

  Graduated Magna Cum Laude.

• Snow College

  Physics 1993 — 1994

  Dean's List, Selected as top Chemistry student, Fall quarter 1993.

  Activities and Societies:

  Speech Team, DJ at student radio station.

Additional Information

Paul Robertson’s Websites:

• My Blog
• Twitter updates