Training and Technical Writing

Note: Brent LaReau is your point of contact for this category.

I believe that the two most important things I can do for clients is to transfer knowledge to them, and to help them transfer knowledge to their customers. Therefore, for decades I have been aggressively mentoring, training and writing technical documentation for my clients.

I offer the following services and capabilities:

One-on-one Mentoring

Why not spend one hour with a mentor like myself, instead of spending days trying to understand some topic by yourself? Please see our Specialties page for topics I can help you with.

Technical Writing, Editing and Proofreading

Too often, those who write technical documentation are "too close" to their subject, which results in documents that are, unfortunately, unintelligible to most others. I can write your technical documentation from an educated outsider's viewpoint. Or, I can proofread and/or edit your new or existing documentation.

On-site Training Classes

I would be happy to conduct classes at your facility. I can create a custom class for any topic in our Specialties list. Or, you can choose a standard class from the list shown below.

Click here to download a complete, printable class list containing full details (PDF).

• Introduction to SQL Databases (4.5 hours) - A gentle, hands-on introduction to generic database concepts and standard Structured Query Language (SQL). Class will begin with no mention of computers, software or database languages. After fundamental concepts become clear, the generic computer software database will be considered. A basic version of the standard SQL "command language" will be taught. Hands-on work will enable you to develop some real SQL database skills that are applicable to any standard SQL database.
• Intermediate SQL Database Concepts (7.5 hours) - A hands-on exploration of generic database concepts and standard SQL at the intermediate level. In addition, some Oracle- and Sybase-specific topics will be covered as well. Class will begin with a review of basic SQL as covered in Introduction to SQL Databases. A rich set of SQL database topics will be covered in detail. Hands-on work will exercise your new SQL database skills.
• An Engineer's Primer on Information Security (4.0 hours) - An introduction to the field of information security, which deals with the protection of critical data and the information systems that store such data. Also introduced are "best practices" in information security, which are tried-and-true security-related guidelines for designing, implementing and maintaining any kind of information system. On a more detailed and practical level, this class will bring into focus security and privacy issues affecting individuals and corporations. It describes common attacks and their defenses; data leaks and their prevention; effective individual and corporate policies; and technological solutions and their shortcomings.
• Internet Data Mining (1.0 hour) - A hands-on tutorial on how to reach deep into the Internet to extract information that few others can find. Advanced search engine techniques will be discussed, with emphasis on Google.
• Introduction to Wired Network Communications (4.0 hours) - A gentle, hands-on introduction to generic wired network data communications, including Local Area Networks (LANs) and the Internet. Class will begin with no mention of computers, software, cables, network equipment or the Internet. After fundamental data communications concepts become clear, the generic wired data communications network will be considered (including the Internet). Hands-on work with hardware and software will enable you to develop some real network communications skills that are applicable to any generic wired network.
• Network Packet Sniffing (2.0 hours) - A hands-on exploration of how generic network data communications can be monitored, precisely recorded and analyzed for troubleshooting purposes. Covers theory, installation and usage of network packet sniffer software, with emphasis on the Wireshark (Ethereal) packet sniffer, which can decode and interpret 500+ protocols. Applies to wired and wireless Local Area Networks (LANs) and the Internet.
• Network Port Scanning (2.0 hours) - A hands-on tutorial that explains how to locate and identify computers, devices and software that are connected to a generic data communications network. This is required for troubleshooting and network security purposes. Covers theory, installation and usage of the Nmap network port scanner software. Nmap can find what ports are open, what network services are running, what computers may be vulnerable to network attacks, and even what computers are infected with certain malware (such as the "W32.Nachi" worm). Applies to wired and wireless Local Area Networks (LANs) and the Internet.