NKTower

I wrote my first Fortran II program in 1966 and have been involved with computers ever since. While my degree is in Physics, I have never really had occasion to apply it. I have extensive experience with Univac 1100 series mainframes, some Xerox and Honeywll mainframes, some IBM mainframes, some DEC and Pr1me super-minis. I have X.25 data communications (this is pre-Intenet), TCP.IP, various database systems on both mainframe and microcomputers. My first microcomputers were an Intertec SuperBrain (a CP/M machine) at work, followed by an Osborne 1 (which I purchased.) I still have an original IBM PC (original 64K motherboard with a cassette port, dual floppies etc.) My first hard disk was all of 20MB and with the required expansion chassis to support it cost about $900. This was all pre-IBM PC/XT. That machine, "all up" but before HD support had dual displays (a monochrome and a CGA), 584KB or RAM, two serial ports, one parallel port, clock, calendar, a 300 baud modem (pre-Hayes SnartModem). Total receipt from ComputerLand for the thing was just over $4,000. Adding memory to get it to 584K cost very close to $1 per KB once you had the add-on board to accept the memory.

I like to work with K&R C (the original C language out of Bell Labs, not the expanded C++ or C# off-shoots.) The Lattice C compiler was small and fast, and created very tight code. The original Microsoft C compiler was a re-package of the Lattice C compiler. I've used Borland's Turbo Pascal and Turbo C. When I need to write something now I tend to use Microsoft Visual Studio's C without the C++ or C# stuff.

After 20 years in the corporate environment, I went off on my own in 1995 as a database consultant, working primarily with Microsoft Access and Microsoft SQL Server. About 5 years ago I had a stroke of the optic nerve which left me legally blind. I dissolved my corporation last year and am now enjoying retirement.

Due to the wide variety of systems/platforms my former client base had, I have experience in many different operating systems. To support these I use VMware Server and have the following environments available:

Windows 2000 Professional Workstation

Windows 2000 Server

Windows 2003 Small Business Server

Windows 2008 Server R2

Ubuntu Desktop

CentOS 10 (a Linux distribution)

Vista Business

at one time I also had these, but have finally gotten rid of them

Windows 98 SE

WIndows Me (the absolute worst OS Microsoft ever shipped.)

Windows 95 Traditional Chinese (Yes, really!)

Because of my vision impairment I use ZoomText Magnifier/Reader software, which works best with Windows XP, so my main computer is still running XP SP3. I have Windows 7 Ultimate on my notebook, but the GUI for W7 (and Office 2007, Office 2010 etc.) is not friendly to those with vision impairments - not nearly enough contrast etc. Yes I know about alternate themes. When we travel I typically take an Asus netbook with W7 Basic on it. It is enough to do web surfing, check e-mail, etc.

Our son works in both Windows and Mac. To get a bit of Mac experience I built a "Hackintosh" - this is a Dell Mini-10v netbook that is running Mac OSX Snow Leopard. I can stumble through things with it, but as an old dog I'm not about to migrate to the Mac environment.

My wife and I have a son who as of this writing (Dec. 29, 2011) is 20, and a junior in college. His major is Information Systems. How did that happen?

I have extensive experience Selling and Buying on eBay, and have lectured on the topic at various libraries, computer user groups, senior centers etc. I've also lectured on converting LPs and CDs to MP3 using Audacity, and on eReaders etc. with emphasis on capabilities available for the blind.

I have survived three different forms of cancer, all three are in remission.