Colin John Ramsden was born in Crown Street Woman's Hospital at Paddington in Sydney Australia on 8th July 1958, (at the end of the so-called "baby boomers" era,) the first child to Keith Hedley Ramsden and Sylvia Joyce Campbell, both of 14 Austin Street Lane Cove at the time. Two sisters followed Colin into the family, one soon after being Judith Anne on 8th February 1960, and one much later being Margo Joy on 31st March 1967 (some 9 years after Colin—not for trying!).

Colin (and Judy) spent their early (pre-teen) childhood (plural) at Lane Cove and attended the local public Lane Cove Primary School. The family moved one mile down the road to 79 Arabella Street Longueville in 1969, when Colin was the age of 10. Colin attended public High School at Hunters Hill High from 1970 to 1975.

Colin held many part time jobs during his high school years including junior storeman-and-packer for Manoli's Supermarket in Longueville, weed-puller for Longueville Tennis Club's lawn courts, and petrol pump attendant at Ampol York's Corner, Longueville.

Colin Ramsden started his full time working life at the end of 1975 as an apprentice electrical fitter-mechanic (electrician) with Quirke Electrical of Artarmon, gaining experience in domestic, commercial and industrial electrical installations including: 11KV, 415V, 240V, AC distribution systems; 24VDC intercom and access systems; 75ohm coaxial TV distribution networks; Public Address (PA) annunciation call systems, Telecom (telephone) distribution networks, in fact—anything that had electrical wiring.

Colin ran his own electrical contracting business since 1980 which grew to employ 2 others full time from 1982 until 1985. After some unfortunate (and expensive legal) incidents with builders that refused to pay their trade subcontractors during 1985, Colin closed shop and joined the 'family' manufacturing jewellery business becoming a third generation jeweller.

He worked in that industry for several years, gaining experience in all aspects of jewellery design, manufacture, repair, valuation, and sales. Colin also studied and became a fully qualified Gemmologist with a degree in Diamond Technology. He was active in the Jewellery, Gemmological and Valuation trade associations of the time, and held the position as editor of the 'NSW Gem Review' trade journal for over a year.

Returning to the building industry in 1991, he worked for various electrical firms and found a niche market in emergency lighting. This provided him with exposure to computerised monitoring systems, manufacturing and building automation maintenance and control, industrial electronics and instrumentation, network installations, personal computers, software setup and troubleshooting.

Colin studied and gained certification in Business Administration in 1992, and an Advanced Certificate in Applied Industrial Electronics in 1994.

Colin's frustrations and interests have led him to learn about programming, interface design, usability, and eventually to work writing service manuals, installation instructions, and online help, amongst other things technical. This web site is another example of his adaptability and versatility. With such a broad and diverse background of experience, Colin has the know-how, applitude and attitude to achieve anything technical he sets his mind to. Can he help you? Ask him here.

For further information about Technical Writing Services or Web Design Services that Colin can provide, please contact him for an obligation free consultation and quote. Clearly his experiences lie in the building, electrical, manufacturing, electronic, networking, computer software documentation, and online help fields of endeavour. If your business lies within these boundaries, and you require the services of an experienced technical writer, usability consultant, or web designer, click here for a free quote now.