What technology field do you specialize in?

In conjunction with this poll, I think it would be interesting to see what technical background the members of this community have. Please tell us about your background.

So where's the ALL THE ABOVE button?

Seriously, I guess my main background is R&D, designing radio and microwave frequency power transistors and amplifiers for communications, cell towers, RADAR, medical imaging, even large industrial microwave ovens. There's quite a bit more, but that will have to do.

Not sure where my title of "Application Engineer" would fit. I set up document scanning systems.

I used to be a hardware guy, but there's no money in it anymore.

My career is in software development:

• mostly retail and some IT
• plenty of assembly language in the early days, now C# and Java
• database applications
• mostly Windows applications, some web apps

GIS.

On the job: mainly making sure features (e.g., addresses, roads, intersections) are in the right places and are assigned the right jurisdictions (e.g., neighborhood, police, fire/EMS).

In the calling (as an assistant stake clerk, six years this month): Placing as many members of the stake as possible and streamlining/organizing their location; generating information (among other things) as to membership strength by location.

I worked in IT Infrastructure as a Systems Integration Analyst for 13 years, but in 2006, I officially changed careers by moving to the dark side (Applications) as a Programmer Analyst (mostly C# and ASP.NET)... and I love it!

Brad O.

I started out wanting to be a programmer, but a couple of programming stints back in Provo and Orem while in school convinced that there was more to computer science than programming.

I've spent about 14 years now doing support, deployments, and architecture for data center infrastructure. I'm something of an AIX guru. I briefly was a sysadmin and worked at an IBM call center doing AIX support, but today I do subject matter expert work, design and planning of AIX environments, disaster recovery, high availability, outsourcing, etc.

I also am ABD with just a dissertation to go in computer science (NLP/AI).

Brad O. wrote:...by moving to the dark side (Applications) as a Programmer Analyst

I thought moving to the Dark Side was when I became a manager.

I spent 20 years in the USAF beginning as a teletype operator moving to computer operator, programmer (assembly, FORTRAN, BASIC) and manager. I've now worked as a military contractor for 21 years initially as a programmer, but mostly in management. Over time I've managed software development, CM, QA, documentation staff & Help Desk as a Task Manager (first line supervisor) and Project manager.

telfordca wrote:In conjunction with this poll, I think it would be interesting to see what technical background the members of this community have. Please tell us about your background.

My formal training with computers was back in the days at BYU when they were still punching cards (that sure tells my age, doesn't it); and the rest I know is all self taught.

What I don't know about computers or the IT field and need to know I turn to my son Paul for help. He is an autistic savant genius in the IT computer field. He is CompTIA A+ certified in hardware and software, has CompTIA Network+ certification, and is presently studying for his Linus Network Administrator. In addition, while I was working for the U.S> Forest Service, Paul wrote a database program for the Forest Service to use. He has a photographic memory and any subject he wants to know about he starts to read, and before you know he has learn it.

Oh yes, there is one more thing I can say her, and I believe this to be true because he has been in to computers since his mearly childhooid:: I've told Paul that much of what he knows here he brought with him from the pre-existence.

Medical IT Consulting. From desktop hardware to database design/maintenance to router config, to full Electronic Medical Record deployment.

Clients are comfortable when I can hit the door and have them runnning without having to call another consultant.

I was a hardware/software tech and novell admin. I have been out of the field for some 7 years but still keep my have in.

My specialty lies in Visual Basic applications and VBA, and I am currently attempting to master the art of ASP.NET (2.0).

I also have a few years of experience in managing ERP systems (particularly MRP) and database administration.

Outside of the technology world my specialization is in role playing games (table top, board, video, card, you name it) and fantasy novels.

I know, education system in Italy is quite different. I studies telecommunications (analog electronic) in high school, then start to works in electric plan. Then start learn computer science with Commodore Vic20 (and this say may age too). I had my own business for 18 years in pc maintenance (hardware and software) and development (assembly compatible Pc and programs, mostly in industrial automation).
Two years ago I quit my job for economical problems (the almost sole client have not payed many bills) and, after one year of ****, now I'm working as production director assistant with IT responsibilities.
But I never stop to study IT, history, philosophy, physic and science in general.

I see that may message is "censured", I want to say that I don't wrote any bad word (I suppose). When we have a period of trouble we use to say that is like the opposite of paradise.
I never mind that that was a word unusable. I beg your pardon!

I've done a bit of everything. Started out with a Novell VAR back in 88 and have been doing this ever since with the exception of my mission. Though even there I was drafted by my MP to set up a network and the MOS software when it first came out ... spent about 9 mos in the office.

Spent several years as an independent consultant initally doing Novell and MS networking / OS stuff. Initially moved into databases where in about 96 where I have been ever since. I am considered somewhat of a MS SQL Server "guru". I am currently a database architect for match.com, where among other things I built a clickstream data warehouse for web analytics. We process in the neighborhood of 350M page views a month through the various ETL processes across all our platforms. Total storage for the DW systems is about 10 TB. And people say MS SQL Server doesn't scale.

Thanks for sharing everyone. This is very interesting.

telfordca wrote:Thanks for sharing everyone. This is very interesting.

Can you share with us a glimpse of your background, Cassie?

Sure, I'd love to. I'm the non-technical person 'round these parts. I work on the content of this site. It's so much fun!

I graduated from Utah State University a year ago. I have an HR perspective and my experience has been in class content at a university and customer and public relationships.

I just found out that these discussion boards even existed and I am excited and disappointed. Excited to participate and see what’s coming down the tube in the future. Disappointed that no one told me about them before now – I’ve been missing out. Now, on to the topic:
USU Business Information Systems (BIS) and Accounting undergraduate degrees (2002)
Currently I’m a network administrator for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Growth Fund (Durango CO Area). I handle a lot of stuff, but mostly: MS Exchange, Active Directory, MS Server 200X installation and maintenance, All of our Blackberry Enterprise Server stuff, and end user support. Cross training is very important in our small 20 person IT department, it helps us take vacations and have lives.

I grew up with the Microsoft Networking world, earned my MCSE in NT 3.51, back in Utah in those days it was the helpdesk or move so I moved to get a job in the Microsoft World. I've pretty much done it all from Training/Consulting, and now I manage several teams working in a large data center hosting mostly Healthcare IT systems.

marianomarini_vi wrote:I know, education system in Italy is quite different.

Like marianomarini_vi, I know that brazilian educational systems are different from that in U.S.

I am a student of Information technology - Computer Technician at SENAC São Paulo. it's a graduation that complement the High School graduation with a professional background.

I worked for SENAI São Paulo as IT Technician last two years and after are moved to SESI São Paulo as an School Clerk (not an IT position but with many computer interaction).

Now I'm unemployed, but I continue to study in SENAC's and my graduation is for October 2008. I believe that, after it, I can began an university carrer like a BA.

I have touched on a little bit of everything.
My active skills are:

Web:
HTML, Javascript, CSS, XML, PHP, MySQL

Software Dev (Mac OS X):
A little Cocoa, Applescript, MySQL, SQLite3.

Graphic Design:
The only thing I went to college for. Currently doing freelance in this dept.

I am a System Admin at a newspaper in Arkansas. I manage 150-200 Macs and a handful of PC's.

I'm a graphic designer by profession, so most of my technical skills are web based. Basic HTML, CSS, and I've been poking around a little with PHP and Javascript. I also have some intermediate Flash Actionscript knowledge, but still have lots to learn!

I'm a generalist in a large company in a small town. I have to be at least passingly familiar with every single aspect of IT that our company uses. We don't do any development so the only scripting I do is simple .bat files for repetitive tasks. Our environment is pure Windows except for one Linux system. As a non-profit we don't always get the newest and greatest. We buy everything new, but we have to make computers last for a four year cycle and servers for a five to six year cycle. In addition to the Windows and Citrix environments I also oversee a PC-PBX phone system (with half the phones VoIP), a prox card security access system and web cam DVR security monitoring system.

In addition to the hands-on systems management I'm also accountable for a .75 million dollar budget and two direct reports.

Well, I grew up with a C=64 and dabbled a little on my dad's 286 before my mission. When I got back, Pentiums were available and Win95 was around the corner. I got a side job learning some pc hardware and html for a while. Later it was mostly sales, and a lot of what I had learned was by playing around with whatever was new at the store I worked at my full time job. Then I got wise and went back part-time to school many years later (still going). Curently I'm a custodian working for the city and just waiting out my probationary time and then try and move into IT.

I know a little bit about different aspects mostly in the PC and small networking end of things. And making recommendations to people on what they should buy. I've got my Comptia A+ and Network+ certs. I've taken the CCNA a few years ago but got an 83% (85% needed to certify) and I've been kicking myself for not studying for it. I do a lot of tech support and training for friends, family, and a few small businesses around town.

Mostly I can do some HTML, build and troubleshoot PCs with Windows/DOS, implement small networks, and have a knack for being the person everybody goes to for computer help.

I specialize in the Microsoft platform. Right now I'm in charge of the .net programming environment at my company. I work mostly with c# doing windows forms or asp.net applications. I also work with Silverlight and windows presentation foundation.

It's a lot of fun.

I'm an experienced computer tech (almost 19 years) and for the last 5 years I've been primarily servicing and managing the printers used at BYU-Idaho. For the last 3 years I've also been managing the copiers used here (all told, printers and copiers come to about 380 devices ... this week).

I also run/manage the Pharos system used here (allows the students and the Departments to pay for their print jobs).

Guess you'd call me a Computer Tech with extra emphasis/specialty in printers.

I am a Technical Architect with a background in infrastructure management. Though over the past few years I am getting more involved in strategy and enterprise architecture (or beard stroking stuff as I call it). Been in the industry for 12 years now and still love it! If anyone is interested, here is my CV

I am also involved in the local Free software community, helping out at the Linux User Group, giving talks, writing articles etc.

Thanks for the background everyone. It's very interesting to see.

I am a Chemical engineer and moved into IT field.

Currently as Software Engineer - Mainframe
-Cobol
-IMS
-CICs
-DB2 - SQL

I repair Personal computers(either hardware and software related)
I know and using Adode Photoshop
Editing videos and other multimedia applications
--gearing towards Web creations- MS Expressions

Good day:)

My first computer programs were in BASIC (and one in assembler) on a Commodore VIC-20 when I was in junior high, but my main computer interest at the time was in the graphics side of things, which led me to pursue computer animation. I kept dabbling with various scripting languages and web things on the side, though, which led me to study Visual Basic for Applications, HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript. What eventually brought my scripting efforts back into the realm of CG was MEL, the Maya Embedded Language, which is part of the Maya 3D animation software produced by Autodesk.

After seven years as an animator working on everything from TV commercials to feature films, animation became too stressful. In January of this year I was allowed to shift gears and become the studio's animation TD (technical director), which means that I do a mix of tool development and troubleshooting for the animation department. We recently wrapped up animation on Open Season 2, so I've taken advantage of the less hectic schedule between projects to dig into Python, and have quickly turned into a Python junkie. It opens up lots of new options at work, and will likely affect several personal projects as well.

Customer Operations - I am the senior director over incoming internet server call centers.
FreeBSD, Linux, Windows, and many, many applications and technologies on them.

Cool to see USU grads out there on the forums! I, too, graduated from USU with a Business Info Systems degree. I'm a Linux Engineer at a large financial firm. Basically, deal with prepping, testing, and scripting the installs of all RedHat Linux installs at the company, which currently has about 2500 Linux servers. I wish I had more software development skills, but really don't branch out beyond some kornshell and perl programming for my purposes. But I love getting on the forums and seeing what the techies are developing so I can take advantage of their skills! Actually, I'd love to contribute, but I'm not sure what I can offer at this point. But I'm keeping my eyes open for opportunities!
-Mike

I've worked as a Senior Field Tech for 15 years. During this time I troubleshot/repaired/installed card access systems, CCTV systems, security systems, and fire systems for commercial and residential accounts. When I was able to work from the office I would help other techs troubleshoot their jobs in the field while programming their equipment using downloading software. I really enjoyed this field; especially having opportunities to work on some really neat military projects.

In time I began to notice a few old timers struggle on some of our job sites. The job was physically demanding at times. I began to picture myself 25yrs in the future and decided that I didn't want to be that guy. I went back to school and followed another career path.

I currently teach computer classes in a public school district, while also being responsible for any IT needs in my respective building. I enjoy having students see computers as tools rather than toys. Being from a technical background I allow select classes the opportunity to disassemble some of our donated computers, identify the internal parts, explain how the parts work, and afterwards put them back together.

I love working with technology and am glad to see the church embrace it more and more each day.

I spent 8 years as a Radioman / Technical controller in the Navy. I worked with almost every part of the RF spectrum, mostly on the connectivity side. From Microwave to SHF and satellite movement and control uplinks (FSC79). I moved to commercial service provider (backbone) support, installation, repair and management for company's like MCI, IXC, and Level(3) Communications. I managed a global IP network operations center monitoring, installing, managing, and repairing all types of Cisco and Juniper switches and routers, and the fiber connectivity between cities. I've worked on every feasible type of circuit from 75 baud up to OC192's internationally. My group was responsible for monitoring some connections running on undersea cable operations between the US and Asia/Europe. I was responsible for customer interface and problem resolution for customers ranging from the single server in a colocation facility to companies with worldwide services like AOL and Yahoo.

Telecom is great - without that physical link, nothing works

I left telecom because my wife took a job in Idaho. Haven't been able to find work in Idaho in Telecom, but my Bishop keeps me busy being the Ward Clerk. I have a BS degree in Secondary Education (English and History certifications) from Idaho State University and I love teaching (even though I graduated just as the Teaching field dried up

Thank you ALL for your time and service to the Lord.

I worked with the Dept of Justice / Federal Bureau of Prisons as an IT manager. No programming background other than dabbling for fun with basic and php. Mostly Novell Netware Admin, LAN management, hardware, information security. I also teach part-time at Penn. College of Tech. That consists mainly of productivity software for Construction Mgmt" such as CAD, MS Office, MS Project, and MS Front-Page.

If it has to do with technology, I've probably done it. I've worked as a dark room tech, TV repairman, car stereo tech, performance sound and lighting tech, electrician, industrial controls tech, industrial controls engineer, locksmith, alarm system installer, typesetter, printer (both letterpress and offset), office machine tech, copier tech, printer tech, programmer (FORTRAN, COBOL, BASIC, BAL, JCL, REXX, Z80 Assembly, C, Perl, PHP), network tech, system admin (IBM S3, AS400; Linux, FreeBSD, IRIX, Solaris, UNIX), telephone installer/tech, computer tech (pre-PC, PC, mini), backup power systems engineer, power correction engineer.

Currently a programmer and one man IT department for a small ecommerce software company.