6332 W 98th Drive
Westminster, CO 80021 vsync@quadium.net
Voice: +1 720 323 5693
I seek a challenging, fast-paced environment where I can
effectively use my development and system administration
experience as a valued member of a tight-knit group creating a
high-quality product.
Experience
part of team which set up store from empty building
worked 9 to 11 hour days every day
dragged around big stuff, lifted up heavy stuff, and
swept up dropped stuff
responsible for setting up a number of facings according
to diagrams
assembled furniture (desks, filing cabinets) for store
use and for displays
sell furniture
wait on customers as first priority
audit tags to ensure correct prices and 1-to-1
relationship between "take-a-tickets" and in-stock items
ensure that furniture is clean, polished, and neatly
arranged
assist in technology sales
provide extra coverage in technology
widely recognized as store expert on PDAs
sell or provide information on computers (off-the-shelf
and configure-to-order), PDAs, networking equipment,
and software
limited tech support
answer compatibility and performance questions for
customers
occasionally resurrect non-responsive registers
provide assistance for file formats, application
installation, and Internet access to the copy and print
center
general retail responsibilites
wait on customers as first priority
maintain cleanliness and organization of displays
clean the restrooms every few nights
assist other associates in pulling items, answering
customer questions, and covering different areas of store
interact with diverse computer systems on a daily basis
(registers, Web-based catalogs and product information
sheets, IBM 3270 and 5250 based inventory and ordering systems,
and price guns)
extended existing features and created new ones, requiring
implementation in standard Java servlet code as well as
several proprietary technologies
designed, implemented, and documented an extensible
Web-based interface to archive uploading and unpacking,
featuring intelligent preprocessing to save unpacking
time and unneccesary user intervention
designed, implemented, and documented software and
methods for importing and integrating a third-party
site into the portal platform, including security
checks, link and object rewriting, and segregation of
dynamic media into appropriate locations
enhanced the file-sharing mechanism and added many
more usability and file management features
created a Common Lisp package to analyze and report
on version control logs
fixed various bugs ranging from 1-line fixes to week-long
bug hunts
worked in outward-facing positions
implemented significant improvements to the vendor
directory feature upon client request
integrated a client's banner ad system into the
portal framework, and provided improvements and
support in time for client launch
provided setup and remote support for Seybold
demo; worked directly with marketing to set up content
and functionality and with on-site IT to ensure demo
site availability
set up servers for internal use and for various shows and
demos
set up and configured a standalone demo environment
and cloned it to several machines; supported this
environment both locally and remotely; set up a secure
tunnel to allow this demo to be accessed outside the
firewall
installed and configured the server environment to
be used on server clusters (included Apache, Java, Perl,
and various packages and libraries)
set up Samba servers on the corporate NT domain and
documented this for other employees
created numerous shell scripts for initialization
and setup
in addition to primary programming duties, often provided
research, information, or support for other employees
provided information and assistance setting up new
Linux machines, including system installation, kernel
configuration, device driver installation, and
software setup
resolved networking failures, modified DNS setup,
and set up numerous mail servers
assisted coworkers in the use of Emacs, including
package installation and setup, configuration, and
Emacs Lisp programming
in a non-primary role, provided desktop support for
both Windows and UNIX systems
architected expansion, improvement of legacy systems
planned transition of worldwide software management center
into multiple-tiered Web-based system, where reliability
is key; design included database layout, user identification
and security, and collaboration features
wrote wrappers and improvements for package
distribution clients; tracked and reported existing
bugs and provided workarounds
implemented original code for stability, usability
designed and implemented Java servlets to manage the
release and announcement of new packages and email these
announcements worldwide
created Java application suite to monitor server
availability and notify admins in case of failure;
used in the lab as well as on the master software
distribution servers
wrote and documented Lisp package to
display startup
dialogs and check for system patch status
packaged vendor software for internal distribution
worked extensively with Solaris, Linux, and Windows
systems
maintained existing Bourne, Korn, and C shell and Perl
scripts and created new ones
wrote Lisp packages to ease future package rollouts
engaged in extensive Y2K testing of to-be-released
packages
provided support for coworkers
trained numerous colleagues in Emacs, Java, Solaris,
and shell scripting
provided Windows integration, aiding in the rollout
of the fully-automated document conversion service
tracked and fixed bugs, wrote wrappers, packaged
software, and helped product managers to meet
release deadlines
current:use and administer
widely heterogenous home systems
actively seek out and implement new and unfamiliar
technologies
upgrade, troubleshoot, and provide technical support for
less advanced users
have provided tutorials on basic Windows and UNIX
usage, Web browsers, mail, IRC, and configuration of
various applications and dæmons
HTTP served with Apache; content includes SSI and
is generated with the assistance of several custom scripts
manage whois record and provide all DNS through the use
of BIND 9
all mail is transferred using a local sendmail
host several other domains using Apache virtual hosts
provide accounts for other users on a
Debian/Alpha host, including mail and HTTP hosting
wrote and continue to maintain résumé,
maintaining compatibility with all tested browsers, even
broken ones like Netscape 4
Skills
Programming
I have worked with many different programming languages over
time. Starting with BASIC at a very early age, I moved on to
x86 assembly, C, a little C++, Pascal, Prolog, Java, and Lisp.
For my own amusement, I have written games, databases, shells,
and a small OS. My goal is never to merely learn a new set
of APIs, but to fully grasp the paradigm of the language and the
theory behind its structure. Hence, I have a firm understanding
of the different approaches (imperative, logical, functional).
My overall favorite language is Common
Lisp, due to its self-documenting nature, its development
and execution speed, and the
ease with which my ideas map themselves to code.
I have worked with Java since its pre-1.0 days, and am
experienced in the creation of servers, servlets, applets, and
applications. I have strong experience in the development of
networked systems, including both clients and servers and their
underlying architecture. I have created my own servlet
environments as well as programmed for a larger application
server API, and I have strong experience integrating front-end
technology with a database, both at the SQL level and using
abstraction layers.
OSen and Environments
Exploration of new environments is a high priority for me. I
have extensively used DOS, Windows, MacOS, UNIX and UNIX-like
systems (Linux, *BSD, SunOS, Solaris), and maintain active UNIX
and VMS accounts. I am not an OS bigot; I enjoy using any
system as long as it is stable and remotely usable, which
generally means UNIX. I really miss the days of DOS. DOS was
simple and fun.
I excel at integrating different platforms. My programming
experience has given me in-depth knowledge of incompatibilities
and differences between systems, and I leverage this knowledge
to tie disparate systems together quickly.
Networking
I have a fundamental understanding of the basic assumptions of
computer networks, as well as in-depth knowledge of TCP/IP
applications and the Internet in general. I can and do write
elegant and compliant HTML, and always test anything I produce
in a wide range of environments. I have written a number of
client-server applications, and understand the various factors
that must be taken into consideration (reliability, bandwidth
usage, latency, speed, and distribution of computing
resources).
My own personal exploration as well as my previous employment
has required me to learn about and integrate with different
services and standards, leaving me with an extensive knowledge
of both commonly-used systems and the ways they tend to be used.
Interpersonal Skills
I have extensive experience dealing with non-technical users, in
the area of technical support and in receiving product
requirements. I speak and write English well, and enjoy
crafting a well-written document. I enjoy learning and do so
quickly, often becoming the one others look to for information
on an unfamiliar technology. Above all, I value honest and open
communication.
I am comfortable with many forms of communication, including
face-to-face conversations, email, IRC, and instant messaging.
I often solve problems or provide support remotely, and can
generally visualize situations in my head without the need to be
physically present (and sometimes without the need to even have
access to the systems involved).