Linux, Unix and Networking Consulting and Applications

Mobile: +61 (0) 413 043 586
Email: david@systemsolve.net

Married to Catherine, 2 daughters, Jessica (15) and Zoe (13).

Skills and Experience

25 Years Unix and Linux Consulting, Administration and Development

Programming in C, Java, Tcl, HTML

Linux application development and implementation

Network applications

Client-server and distributed system design

Publishing systems

Industrial process control software

Highlights

• Multi-server and high-performance newspaper production system on Linux for South China Morning Post, Hong Kong.
• Newspaper production system for Border Mail, Wodonga, Australia
• Advertising tracking application for newspaper publishing.
• Document information management platform for Linux/Unix.
• Systems and Applications consultancy for Sun Microsystems.

Key Skills

• literate communicator
• creation of technical architectures, especially related to distributed and client-server systems
• information automation and management systems
• Internet and intranet systems design, including HTML, sophisticated CGI systems and email
• computer network analysis and design, including protocols, access methods and security, PC and Macintosh integration
• extensive programming ability, across the whole range of computer software:C, Java, Shell, CGI, HTML, Tcl/Tk, Ada, SQL, PostScript
• text, graphics and image systems for the publishing industry
• understanding the development process, including the need for and application of quality standards
• use of rapid prototyping and development enviroments, including the use of advanced scripting languages, such as Shell, Tcl/Tk and awk
• development of management strategies for Open Systems
• understanding and designing the user interface for computer systems

Experience

I have 17 years experience at a senior level in various branches of the software industry, including:

• 3 years as Technical Director of Raster Solutions Pty Ltd, developing innovative internet-based document management and publishing systems
• 2 years providing consultancy in News International, developing newspaper and internet publishing strategies and systems, assessing technology partners and negotiating with suppliers
• over 5 years providing integration consultancy and sales support at Sun Microsystems, a leading computer manufacturer
• over 3 years setting development directions for my systems software team at Siemens in a new engineering division

I have over 20 years in-depth experience with Open Systems. I have seen the Open Systems industry develop from its beginnings in the UNIX operating system, through Solaris and Linux.

Employment History

Systemsolve Pty. Ltd. (Victoria, Australia)

October 2000 - on: Owner/Prinicpal

I set up Systemsolve to offer my expertise to a broad market, and to build up a sought-after professional practice delivering first-class consulting, troubleshooting and rapid development services.

Raster Solutions Pty. Ltd. (Victoria, Australia)

March 1997 - October 2000: Technical Director

Raster develops and integrate innovative Internet and intranet systems for the automation of information management and delivery. Raster's business model recognises the need for both bespoke consultancy and development and for a well-engineered platform on which solutions can be built.

Raster develops and delivers primarily on Linux, offering a complete service from hardware specification through installation to application design and implementation.

I was responsible for the technical content of Raster's applications and solutions, drawing on all my skills and experience for research, design and development.

Examples of work Raster undertook:

• high-performance, multi-server Linux-based newspaper production system for South China Morning Post, Hong Kong
• OPI system for Border Mail, Wodonga
• web-based advertising tracking and proofing system
• Linux and Unix consulting at National Australia Bank Ltd, Wilson Transformer Co. Pty Ltd, Scan-Xpress Pty Ltd, Thomas & Kite P/L
• Application support for Quantum 2000 Pty Ltd.
• automated sports results publishing for the Internet for a Melbourne suburban newspaper group
• Fax image recording and management with Streamline Solutions, of Melbourne
• distributed and scalable OPI and RIP management for newspaper publishing

News International Newspapers Ltd. (UK)

March 1995 to Feb 1997: Information Technology Consultant/Senior Technologist

My post was created specially to provide a highly-skilled resource to architect next-generation solutions for newspaper production and to deliver key technological advances using IT in the business. I had to deal with all aspects of newspaper production from editorial to printing.

News International Newspapers are the producers of The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun and The News of The World. They are large-scale users of Open Systems, delivering millions of copies of papers every day, with stiff requirements for both performance and reliability.

Examples of tasks:

• re-architected production model from centralised to distributed model, with significant performance improvement; the rearchitected system allowed the News of The World to implement doubled colour space in a shorter production cycle using existing presses
• introduced Tcl/Tk as a rapid development language, which won a tenfold increase in productivity when developing user interfaces
• replaced failing proprietary Hyphen OPI system with simpler and more flexible system: page proof delays reduced from 20 minutes to 30 seconds as a result
• designed and developed corporate Internet security system, controlling internal user access and protecting corporate network from outside attention
• designed and developed Internet usage tracking systems, used to publish the Times and Sunday Times on the Internet
• developed communications strategy to support production of newspapers at remote press sites across the UK and European
• ran research and evaluation project for purchase of `mission-critical' file storage system
• performed technical and business assessments of key partners of News Corp.

Sun Microsystems Ltd. (UK)

Jan 1994 - March 1995: European Systems Architect, SunIntegration Services

I was the senior European technical consultant, having to understand and formulate customer requirements, and to produce architectures and designs to satisfy these. I was the founder member of the European team, and worked closely with colleagues in the USA to develop consultancy `products' and their supporting materials.

Jan 1990 - Dec 1993: Consultant, UK Sales Support

I joined Sun UK as a consultant within their sales support group. I gave advice and provided solutions in the areas of best practice and usage in Sun's operating systems and hardware, and produced technical material (including software, tools and reports) for customers, Sun's own business operations, other technical staff and the sales force.

Examples of tasks:

• flexible automatic system installation and management tools, allowing fully configured servers and workstations to be installed and ready for operation in 10 minutes
• electronic workflow/approval system, eventually implemented worldwide within the company, to support Sun's meeting the ISO 9001 quality standard
• comprehensive requirements analysis for Rover Group plc, a major UK automotive company
• systems management reference model
• security systems
• presentation of technical papers at public conferences

I won several awards for outstanding achievement while at Sun, notably for the electronic workflow system and for my work supporting Rover Group plc.

Siemens Ltd.

Nov 1986 - Jan 1990: Senior Advisor/Group Leader

I was a founder member of Siemens UK-based UNIX Systems Development Group. We developed user-facing systems tools, ranging from a new desktop workstation, to advanced debugging software. I played an important role in recruiting staff, setting up quality systems and establishing best practice. All work was conducted in close liaison with our sister group in Munich, and benefited greatly from my skills in German.

I presented a paper at the 10th anniversary conference of the United Kingdom UNIX Systems User Group in London.

Systems Designers Ltd. (UK)

Sept 1984 - Nov 1986: Senior Systems Engineer

I was the software technology group's UNIX expert. I covered a broad range of work from wide-area networking to application redesign, all within the UNIX field.

University of York (UK)

Jan 1982 - Aug 1984: Research Associate

I was part of a three-person team developing one of the first UNIX-like distributed operating systems.

I co-authored several papers and the book: `Keeffe, D. : PULSE: an Ada-Based Distributed Operating System; Academic Press 1985'.

Education and Qualifications

DPhil, Computer Science, University of York 1984

BA(Hons), Music, University of York, 1979

Licenciate Diploma (French Horn), Trinity College of Music, London, 1973

Community and Other Activities

I am a member of the Lions Club of Waverley.

I am principal horn and assistant conductor of the Maroondah Symphony Orchestra.

I am solo horn with Oakleigh City Band.