I joined CompuSoft Publishing as a technical researcher and writer directly out of high school — my official entry into a career in computers. It was a tremendous experience that gave me exposure to many different types of personal computers: TRS-80 series, Timex Sinclair, Kaypro, Osborne, Apple II, Macintosh, IBM PC, and all their operating systems, including XENIX.

CompuSoft’s prime focus was adapting a successful manuscript on learning BASIC programming for various computers. The original BASIC book was written by Dr. David A. Lien, a microcomputer industry pioneer and best-selling technical author. Lien’s friendly style makes learning BASIC fast and fun. Several books are illustrated with hilarious cartoons by renowned aviation cartoonist, Bob Stevens.

Along the way, I introduced online BBS pal, Dan Gookin, to CompuSoft. That initiated his extremely successful career in writing, and our subsequent Apple IIGS book collaborations.

In addition to working with a great group of people, the most valuable aspect was understanding and appreciating the superbly unique, non-threatening writing style of Dr. Lien. Below are just some of the CompuSoft titles I had the privilege to work on.

In 2003, I started a new company, DTL Networx, a San Diego-based web design and hosting agency.  I knew and respected the formula that made CTSnet a success. Now instead of being at the top of a large company and, as the inevitable result of that management layer distancing myself from the product and customers, now I’m the head of a small company and stay close to everything I enjoy. Fewer stresses and I’m just as successful now as then. Alas, I think I figured it out.

With history and experience as a guide, it is time to architect a new era. The right mix of vision, planning, talent, and leadership will reward the courageous by capitalizing on what has not been fully realized due to our short-circuited economy. Your thoughts on the future?

Sparks of a commercial Internet were igniting a new revolution. With Bill Blue, a respected BBS and Apple II pioneer in his own right, we collaborated to build an Internet company, CTSnet, a division of Datel Systems. It was an immediate success and enjoyed boundless growth providing high-quality, technically astute service unmatched in our market. Seven years later, CTSnet was sold for $33 million to Dallas-based Allegiance Telecom. At its peak, CTSnet had a state-of-the-art data center and 100 employees supporting over 30,000 customers throughout Southern California.

 

CTSnet was eventually assimilated into Allegiance Telecom’s Hosting.com brand. I stayed onboard for three more years until Allegiance went bankrupt.  Then it was time to polish off the résumé again.

In addition to participating in the Internet’s maturation, the last ten years let me experience the entire lifecycle of a unique company — from frenetic startup to acquisition and integration by a national telecom. What a ride.

résumé 2.0 — allegiance to a vision

DATE		January 2003
OBJECTIVE		To partner with like-minded entrepreneurs to create sustainable Internet products, innovating new technologies, and capitalizing on those with unrealized potential.
QUALIFICATIONS		Proven ability to build and lead a $33 million company10+ years experience developing Internet services Senior-level leadership, disciplined in all facets of business operations Able to effectively manage a team of managers Highly productive as an independent contributor Highly-skilled in software development and system administration Accomplished web designer, programmer, and webmaster Strong written, presentation, and marketing communications skills
EMPLOYMENT

2003 – Present		DTL NetworxOwner, custom web design and application development services
2000 – 2003		Allegiance Telecom, Inc. Senior Director, Operations, Hosting.com Division
1994 – 2000		CTSnet, Inc.(a division of Datel Systems, Inc.)Director, Operations and General Manager
1993 – 1994		Datel Systems, Inc.Consultant, establishing Wide Area Networking division
1987 – 1993		Morgan Davis Group Owner, commercial software developer and consultancy
Note:		For prior employment history see résumé 1.0

EDUCATION

1982 – 1986		Computer Science, Data Communications and Business StudiesSan Diego State University Grossmont College Cuyamaca College
1979 – 1982		Lutheran High School, San Diego

ACHIEVEMENTS

		Created ProLine, linking Apple computers to the Internet in mid-1980sAuthor, Who’s Afraid of Perl? Technical Editor, Web Site Stats: Tracking Hits and Analyzing Traffic Co-author, Internet Science, Research, and Technology Yellow Pages Author, Advanced Programming Techniques for the Apple IIGS Toolbox Co-author, Mastering the Apple IIGS Toolbox Published and interviewed in several trade magazines and newspapers Guest speaker and presenter at several professional Internet seminars Interviewed on NBC Nightly News, and local TV and radio stations Created HomePort San Diego, the city’s first online guide Created San Diego Homeschooling with my wife and children

Just out of high school, with the personal computer revolution approaching a seductive velocity, I was writing computer books and developing software products for Apple computers. My interest was data communications, leading me to create ProLine, the first software to link the humble Apple II to Internet email and newsgroups (about 10 years ahead of schedule). Web pages and Usenet archives chronicle my involvement. With a decade of Apple II and Macintosh experience, I was ready to take it to Silicon Valley.

Apple, however, was abandoning the Apple II while struggling to evangelize the Mac in a PC-centric world. For my family’s sake, I decided not to pursue a career in Cupertino. I filed my geek résumé and focused on something greater. It was the result of all the right disciplines and timing.

résumé 1.0 — sent to Apple Computer, Inc. in 1991

OBJECTIVE		System Software Engineer, Apple II Business Unit Apple Computer, Inc.
QUALIFICATIONS		10 years of experience programming Apple II series computers Fluent in Assembler (6502, 65816, and 68000), C, Pascal, and BASIC languages Versed in Apple II, Macintosh, and UNIX operating systems and toolboxes Productive in MPW, APW, ORCA, and THINK C development environments Author of two Apple IIGS programming books Currently produces commercial-grade software and documentation

EMPLOYMENT

1987 – 1991		Morgan Davis Group Owner, commercial software development company
1988 – 1991		NeTel, Inc. Consultant/programmer, Apple II communications, LAN, and utility software
1989 – 1990		Beagle Bros, Inc. Programmer, Macintosh productivity software
1987 – 1989		United Software Industries, Inc. Programmer, Apple II telecommunications software
1987 – 1988		Compute! Publications, Inc. Co-author, Apple IIGS toolbox programming manuals
1986 – 1987		Oasis Systems / FTL Games, Inc. Programmer, Apple II productivity software
1985 – 1986		Optimum Management Systems, Inc. Programmer, vertical market software for McDonald’s Corporation
1983 – 1987		CompuSoft Publishing, Inc. Researcher/writer, BASIC programming book series

EDUCATION

1987		Neural Network Training Hecht-Nielson Corporation
1982 – 1986		Computer Science, Data Communications and Business Studies San Diego State University Grossmont College Cuyamaca College
1979 – 1982		Lutheran High School, San Diego

ACHIEVEMENTS

		Created first comprehensive application to link Apple II computers over the Internet Manages Internet-connected network of 200 Apple II systems Leader, Apple II forum on the BYTE Information Exchange (BIX) Published articles in A+ Magazine and 8/16 Magazine Wrote two programming books for the Apple IIGS Toolbox

SOFTWARE

TextDraw		C & 65816 Assembler — Text version of QuickDraw, Menu, Dialog, Event, and other managers, presenting a text-based desktop interface for applications while emulating the Apple IIGS toolbox at the source code level. (Continuing development)
SunDesk Strip		Macintosh C — Support utility for a popular INIT. Scans through the Desktop file matching its icons with those found in a database, then builds a resource file containing only those icons. (Commercial)
MD-BASIC		C & 65816 Assembler — A C-like Applesoft preprocessor/compiler and BASIC development system. (Commercial; over 300 sold)
Object Module Manager		6502 Assembler — An object-oriented solution for 8-bit applications and drivers, offering a system of dynamically relocatable code modules complete with intermodule communication and memory management. (Commercial)
Dialog		Macintosh C — Communications module for an integrated productivity package. (This may debut at MACWORLD in a new product by Beagle Bros, Inc.)
ProLine		6502 Assembler & MD-BASIC — Fully Internet-compatible, RFC-822 compliant, networked BBS, including UNIX-like shell with over 120 tools. Developed a multiuser educational version for Corvus, DigiCard, and Velan local area networks. (Commercial; over 400 sold, over 200 currently networked world-wide)
ModemWorks		6502 & 65816 Assembler — Communications toolbox for Applesoft. Involves interrupt handling, I/O control, terminal emulation, file transfer protocols, and hardware drivers for serial ports, internal and external modems, printers, and clocks. (Commercial; over 500 sold).
MouseTalk		65C02 Assembler — Terminal program with a MouseText desktop interface. Responsible for user interface, file transfer protocols, designing a 4K XMODEM extension, and much code optimization. (Commercial, United Software Industries; thousands sold)
MiniScreen		Macintosh C — An INIT/cdev that shrinks the visible desktop on large monitors to that of a standard 9″ Mac screen for real-time development usage. (Public Domain)
Mail Reader		Macintosh HyperCard — Fully RFC-822 compliant e-mail management and composition stack for Mac GNUUCP. Includes custom XFCNs written in THINK C. (Public Domain)
VirusMD		BASIC & C — Virus detection and eradication utility. (Public Domain)