Curriculum Vitae

About Me

I am a Web application developer. I design and build Web applications to allow organizations and their staff and clients/customers/members to do business efficiently and effectively. Some of my larger projects have included online course enrollment systems, content management, contact management and opt-in e-mail marketing systems. I do all of my work using Free Software (also sometimes referred to as "Open Source") tools.

Work Experience

Cornell University School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions

Title: Webmaster
Dates: May 2001 - Present
Location: Ithaca, NY
Duties/Responsibilities:
At the School of Continuing Education, I work with a team of five others in the Media Department. I am primarily responsible for system design, construction, and ongoing maintenance of the school's Internet and intranet Web sites using content and visual design provided by the Media team as well as other staff members in the school. These responsibilities include:
- Web application development: These include a custom-built PHP content framework (which supports all of the other systems on the Web server), course online enrollment, contact management (opt-in e-mail lists, etc.), course proposal, course budget, Web-based content management, and various other internal administration systems.
- Database design and administration for Web applications
- Information architecture for Web content
- Supervising and training student assistants
- Web and file server system administration and security
- Member of campus-wide groups: Web Forum, University Events Calendar solutions group, University Web Visions solutions group

Ithaca Free Software Association

Title: Webmaster/Founding Member
Dates: February 2005 - Present
Location: Ithaca, NY
Duties/Responsibilities:
Some other local Free Software proponents and I started the Ithaca Free Software Association (IFSA) Web site to support an event (Ithaca College's Ed Tech Day 2005) in which we were presenting and maintaining a table/booth. Since the Web site's inception in February 2005, we have over 60 new members, and a very active e-mail list and meeting attendance rate. IFSA members are involved in promoting the education about, and use of Free Software in the Ithaca Area of central New York.
- Web server hosting and system administration
- Help to organize member events, like the Ithaca College Ed Tech Day 2005, and Worldwide Software Freedom Day 2005
- Provide members assistance with a wide range of problems, including help publishing content on the Web site, help with their computer software and hardware issues.
- Communicate with Free Software Foundation staff to aid in keeping both parties informed of issues, events, activities to aid in the FSF's and IFSA's missions.

Cornell University School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions

Title: Office Systems Specialist IV
Dates: February 1998 - May 2001
Location: Ithaca, NY
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Desktop computer support for a group of 50-60 Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh users in 2 separate locations on the Cornell campus.
- Installation and maintenance of file, database, and Web servers, including GNU/Linux, Novell Netware, and Microsoft Windows NT
- System integration between servers and server software products. e.g. making the Apache Web server software, the PHP Web application software, and the Kerberos authentication software all work together. This includes downloading program sources and custom configuring, compiling, and installing the software
- Programming of Web-based internal student data systems
- Database administration, and report generation from the student systems

mc² Computer Consulting

Title: Proprietor
Dates: June 1996 - Present
Location: Central NY
Duties/Responsibilities:
I am the owner and sole proprietor of mc² Computer Consulting. Over the years I have worked for a wide range of businesses, non-profit organizations, and home users in the Central New York area. Work consists mostly of Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh system and network troubleshooting, upgrades, etc., with some forays into Web site development, database development, training, purchasing advice as requested.
These days I'm also migrating select clients who are fed up with the problems of proprietary operating systems and application software over to GNU/Linux and Free Software systems.

Porous Materials/Advanced Pressure Products

Title: Programmer/Service Associate
Dates: August 1994 - August 1996
Location: Ithaca, NY
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Programming software to control sophisticated instruments for testing porosity, capillary flow, and pressure profiling of various materials. Programs included both control systems and report generating components. Programming was done in Microsoft Visual Basic for the Microsoft Windows operating system.
- Servicing test instruments and software at client sites throughout the northeast U.S.
- General Windows system and network administration for office users and clients.

Education

Tompkins Cortland Community College, Dryden NY

Most of an Associates Degree in Electrical Technology

I started my degree program in Electrical Technology many years ago (in 1994 I believe) and made it most of the way through a very interesting two-year program which included analog and digital circuit analysis, technical writing, mechanical and computer-aided drafting, electronics construction techniques, computer modelling of analog and digital circuits, assembly language programming, and lots and lots of troubleshooting.

I left the program before graduation with just a few credits left to go because of financial concerns. (I had to find full-time work to support myself and my wife). Since that time I have done well enough to establish a rewarding career in computer consulting and Web development. In the near future, however, I intend to go back to review the current requirements for completing the program, and finishing perhaps the most lengthy associates degree program in history.

Other Interests/Activities

Free Software: promotion, support, development
Listening to music, watching movies, reading (fiction and non-fiction), cooking, and eating!
Cycling and walking in and around the Ithaca area