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Defined architectures and designs in order to move Formedix's thick client applications to a Web-based environment, using Ruby on Rails. During this time I investigated, documented, and produced prototypes of online applications for Formedix. I applied cutting edge technologies and techniques such as Behaviour Driven Design, and Continuous Integration. The work ranged from architectural analysis and definition, through design and implementation. The work included setting up development environments and standards, such that employees of Formedix could continue on the projects after I have left. Technologies: JRuby, Continuous Integration, BDD, TDD, deployment, hosting, J2EE deployment of Rails apps, Ruby / Rails coding standards, XML.

Working for myself, I developed a product for rapidly prototyping a Web 2.0 application called “Railsworks”. I did this in order to learn Ruby on Rails, and to create a product that was useful. Railsworks allows the user to quickly create a working Web application without writing any code, or having to configure a database. Railsworks applications can be created by a non-technical person, and given to a customer to experiment with and enter data into – straight away. The generated apps have a choice of four different interfaces (one admin, 2 ajax, and one HTML). Railsworks has its own metamodel that allows users to construct models of their applications using a UI. Users can make use of the following to generate their applications: an in-built CMS, data types, relationships, model library, validations, indexing, searching, and simple workflow. Finally, Railsworks can generate itself using only a small bootstrap environment. Railsworks was developed on an Apple (OS X), using Textmate.

Conceived of and drove to acceptance the idea of developing a reusable, portable and open information management platform. The resulting “Xplatform” is a J2EE based environment for the “model driven” development of information management applications. Xplatform allows for the rapid production of applications without the need to understand the underlying J2EE technology. The platform has been used for several high profile projects in the public sector and also in the private sector. Company has grown to 30 people and is being successful in its chosen markets. see (http://www.ryogens.org.uk/) as an example of the use of the platform. Technology Experience: Full lifecycle work (including coding) on the following technologies: Java, EJBs (entity and session), HTML, Lucene, XML, DOM, JSP, tag libraries, Servlets, Orion application server, struts, UML (class and use case), perl, Bean Scripting Framework (BSF), log4j, xdoclet, Poseidon

Conceived of and drove to acceptance and implementation the idea of using scripting languages to access a wide variety of management information. I received a patent for this work and implementations of this technology innovation ship in all versions of the Windows family. I also presented this work to a large audience at the main Microsoft professional development conference in Dallas. In addition I presented and participated in several open design reviews at which leading companies attended. I was also responsible for the adoption of XML as an industry standard way for representing management information. Both Microsoft and the industry standards body adopted this approach. Technology Experience: Full lifecycle work (including coding) on the following technologies: Java, C++, COM, SNMP, ASN.1, Active Scripting, Perl, Jscript, VBScript, Visual Basic, VC++, Using OLE Automation, Design and code of OLE Automation Layer, Windows/Windows NT, XML, CIM (Common Information Model).

I conceived of and lead the design and production of a successful portable “Network Management Platform”. The platform was implemented on several operating systems and was used to manage a wide variety of communications equipment. Several large vendors developed modules including cisco and Wellfleet. The platform technology itself was licensed to IBM (in source code form) and eventually sold to Microsoft. Network managers grew to a company of 60 people with an office in the USA. Technology Experience: Full lifecycle work (including coding) on the following technologies: C++, Windows, Linux, SunOS, OLE, COM, SNMP, Class Library Design, TCP/IP, VisualC++ (including extensive UI work, including linking/embedding).

Designed and developed OSI protocol stack software – including X400 and Session layer implementations. Technology Experience: Full lifecycle work (including coding) on the following technologies: ‘C’, Various OSI protocols including session layer and X.400

Designed and implemented real time communications software, running on an in-house real-time operating system. Developed bridge, router and various asynchronous protocols. TSL was eventually sold to the US company “Retix Systems” which wished to acquire TSL’s software, and commercial and technical expertise. Technology Experience: Full lifecycle work (including coding) on the following technologies: ‘C’, Real Time Operating Systems, Assembler, Various Communication Protocols: X.25, PAD, Async LLC1