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Work History
1988-present (18 months as a contractor) :
Apple Computer, Inc.
Cupertino, CA
Manufacturer of computer hardware, peripherals and
software.
Products I have been involved in :
- Xserve Remote Diagnostics
- Apple Hardware Test
- Apple System Profiler
- MacTest Pro
- MacCheck
- Apple Personal Diagnostics
- various Macintosh diagnostic programs
- Apple II Diagnostics
1978-1988 :
Southern Software (Intl) Ltd. and subsidaries.
Auckland, New Zealand
A microcomputer company developing software for various
markets for different personal computers. Retailed and
wholesaled in hardware, service, and supplies. Apple
authorized dealer and service provider. Certified developer
status for Apple, HP, IBM. Distributor/VAR for networking
systems from Nestar Systems, Inc., and exclusive agent for
BeckTech memory upgrades for Macintosh. Moved into
investments developing tax partnerships for high tech
ventures.
joint ventures with following U.S. firms :
Heritage Systems, Inc.
Cupertino, CA
Vertical market software development, sales and
installation.
Advanced Geographic Systems, Inc.
Huntington Beach, CA
Vertical market software development, sales and
installation.
Positions I held at Southern Software :
- Founding Shareholder.
- Hardware installation and service.
- Software research and development.
- Project Manager.
- Technical Manager - technical support for customers
and staff.
- Operations Manager - supervising production.
- R&D Director - including technical evaluation of
products.
Products I was involved with (years approximate) :
- 1987 : VersaCAD for Macintosh. Helped port existing
VersaCAD/CADapple product (by VersaCAD
Corp., previously known as T&W
Systems, bought out by Prime
Computer, Inc., which later bought out Computervision
Corp. Computervision was then bought out by Parametric
Technology Corp., then sold back to the original
owners, now operating as Archway
Systems, Inc.) to Macintosh II.
- 1986 : AccuMap/VersaDATA (based on VersaCad) -
automated Mapping/Facilities Management (AM/FM) system,
similar to Geographic Information System (GIS) for IBM
PC/AT, IBM PS/2, SUN/Apollo UNIX workstations. Also
included conversion utilities (e.g. VersaLINK) for
translating from other existing systems. Joint venture in
the U.S. with Advanced Geographic Systems. Major clients
included City of Covina, CA; City of Roseville, CA;
Southern California Gas.
- 1985 : MacInooga Choo Choo - entertainment product
for Macintosh; marketed through Fortnum Software and
Abracadata Inc.
in the U.S.
- 1985 : MacChemistry - educational product for
Macintosh; site licensed to Apple University Consortium
members such as Drexel and Brown Universities.
- 1985 : MacNest - "Scrapbook" replacement utility
product for Macintosh.
- 1984 : Contract work (joint venture) to provide
low-level code for Davong Systems, Inc. and Nestar
Systems, Inc. for their hard drive and networking
products on IBM PC/XT.
- 1984 : Film Management System (FMS) - movie
production scheduling system for IBM PC/XT/AT. Joint
venture in N.Z. with Remarkable Films Ltd., joint venture
in the U.S. with Heritage Systems, Inc. Major clients
included Warner
Bros., Disney/CBC
Television (for "Danger
Bay" television series).
- 1983 : HALO (Holistic Accounting LOgic), previously
known as PAMS (Pascal Accounting and Management System) -
complete multi-user integrated business suite (inventory,
invoicing, payroll etc) for Apple II/III, Lisa, IBM PC.
Major clients included student associations at the
University of
Auckland, NZ; University
of Canterbury, NZ.
- 1982 : Contract work (joint venture) to provide
low-level Apple II ProDOS support code for Nestar
Systems, Inc. (whose founder, Dr.
Harry Saal, went on to form Network General Corp.,
which was bought out by Network
Associates, Inc.) for their networking products.
- 1981 : Dragon's Eye - entertainment product for
Commodore PET/Apple II/Atari. Marketed through Automated
Simulations / Epyx in the U.S. In top 5 U.S. computer
games of 1981.
- 1978 : Apple Business Suite (ABS) - complete
integrated business suite (inventory, invoicing, payroll
etc) for Apple II.
- many other Apple III, Apple II, Commodore PET, TRS-80
(and other UNIX or CP/M based hardware) products for
vertical markets (such as construction, transportation,
medical billing, jewelry, health&fitness, radio
stations, nc lathes, student record system, property
management); games, utilities. Major clients included
Fletcher Construction Co. (now Fletcher
Challenge Building Ltd.), New Zealand Steel, Auckland
Teachers Training College (now Auckland
College of Education).
1978 (summer break) :
Electrical Engineering Dept., University of
Auckland.
Auckland, New Zealand
- Student Community Work Scheme job (also counted
towards practical experience required for B.E. degree) -
developed a 8085 cross-assembler in Fortran (based on
some earlier work I had done porting a 6800
cross-assembler, simulator and debugger).
1977 (summer break) :
Electronic Data Systems (now part of C.C.L).
Auckland, New Zealand
Major payroll processing company.
- Trainee Computer Operator - responsible for assisting
with running of computer batch operations.
1974-1976 (part-time; summer breaks) :
Aero Chrome Plate (now part of Pacific
AeroSpace).
Hamilton, New Zealand
Refurbishes and repairs aircraft engine cylinders.
- Taken on as trainee aerospace engineer, as part of
degree requirements and job offering - had a number of
duties, including pre-work crack testing, chrome-plating
and finishing of overhauled aircraft engines. Took
responsibility for setting up and running cadmium plating
plant.
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