Work Experience



Education
I am a Software Engineer. I graduated from Austin Peay State University (APSU) in 1990 with a BS in Computer Science.

Rayheon (E-Systems)
I worked for Raytheon (E-Systems) from 1990 until 1997 developing software on various programs. Some of these programs I can talk about, some I can't. I mainly developed software using C/C++ on Solaris systems. Although I also had experience developing cross-platform systems on IBM mainframes, Solaris systems and Cray systems. This wasn't very easy as the same source compiled and executed on each system. At my last stop in Raytheon, I helped develop a web-based system to help Business Analysts access documents and articles from their desktops. I continued to support this system (on a contract basis) for three years after I left Raytheon.

Web Development
In late 1997 and early 1998, I developed a simple web site for a man who was starting a consulting company after being "retired" from Hughes. This site was relatively simple but had what he wanted. As far as I know, this company is no longer active. I don't what became of him but I am pretty proud of the site. Here is a copy of the site.

TransCore (Amtech)
Currently, I work for TransCore. TransCore is a transportation-based company with a focus on RFID technology. We create RFID tags and readers and the systems that allow the RFID tags to function and some meaning (as opposed to an academic experiment). I have been working for TransCore (actually, the company they bought) since 1997. I worked for Raytheon (actually, E-Systems) for seven years before moving to TransCore.

Linux
I was introduced to Linux at TransCore (thanks Frank Earl) in 1999. Linux is exactly what I was looking for. Since working with Solaris at E-Systems, I wanted an OS that was reliable and easy to use and predictable. We developed an NT lane controller and it turned out to be a pain-in-the-butt to maintain from a distance. Linux fit the bill. I have tried to use it on almost all the projects since and am using it at home also. We run Fedora Core on most of our systems at work, but I run Ubuntu at the house. I feel comfortable installing, configuring and maintaining almost any Linux-based system.

O/S Experience

  • Unix-Related (Solaris, Linux, QNX, etc.) - With all the tools provided by Unix-related systems, I can do almost anything. I am very comfortable at a command line.
  • Embedded Linux (x86 and XScale) - Most of our lane controllers are embedded, high-temperature systems. Sometimes we can put a cut-down version of Fedora Core, other times we need to use a truly embedded OS. I don't mind and it is challenging.
  • Windows (98, NT, XP) - I don't mind developing for Windows, but I would rather not. I have to, I would rather use Perl if possible.
  • CE - I developed an application for a handheld tag reader for a Houston project. I don't claim to be a Windows GUI developer, but the application was simple and I had some people giving me some good direction.

Language Experience

  • C/C++ - I am most comfortable with C/C++. I have been using C/C++ since 1990. I am most comfortable with C but I can hold my own with C++ and prefer to use it in many situations when templates make more sense to use than reinventing the wheel.
  • Make - I use a stock set of makefiles I have used for 10 years. Dependable to easy to maintain. Definitely duplicable.
  • Perl - I really enjoy Perl. I started using Perl when I developed a web-based GUI for a pilot project we did for McDonalds. This was before I knew about PHP/MySQL. It was a lot of work but very successful. The McDonalds project was where I also started to use really inexpensive Single Board Computers (SBCs) for lane controller. Since this project, I have used Perl to develop many different applications, including many applications and systems for Windows. The McDonalds pilot was supposed to be a six month pilot but ran for three years.
  • HTML - FrontPage, you must be joking. WYSIWYG, absolutely not. I feel comfortable writing my own HTML. Sure, it can be a bit more challenging, but I have so much more control. As a matter of fact, I am writing this using TextPad now.
  • PHP/MySQL - I starting using PHP/MySQL after the McDonalds project when we were tasked with developing a gate-security system for the Army. I knew Perl would work, but also knew there had to be an easier way. The web-based GUI was a menu driven system that is still in use today.
  • Shell Scripting (Bash, Ksh, Csh, Bourne) - I am comfortable with almost any scripting language and use many for system management. I believe Perl is more powerful, but if all you need is a shell script, it is a good way to avoid the overhead of Perl (which isn't much).
  • There are plenty more languages and systems I have used, but there is no need in listing them.




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