mikelbeck
12-06-2006, 09:26 PM
I've been bouncing around this forum for a while and never really introduced myself. So here I am, doing it.
I've been online since 1983 or so. I used to run BBSs back in the days before Internet access was commonplace. I remember the days of UUCP moving mail around, maps and bang paths. Anybody else remember those?
I've been in the IT business for around 20 years. I started as a VAX C programmer for a manufacturer of positioning equipment. Then moved into the IT group and took over the "Business" programming on an MRP system. That was more VAX C, plus some VAX systems services. Fun stuff.
After that I worked for a financial company for 12 years or so. I started there as a Technical Support Supervisor, doing desktop support for the most part. A little while after that I moved into the development orginization and did more support type work for a whole load of developers. While doing that I taught myself Visual Basic, VBScript and other assorted Windows scripting technologies. I also got involved with doing a lot of network engineering. Mostly Cisco and Alteon.
Around the same time I started building up a side business, doing desktop and server builds, custom programming (C, VB, PHP) and database work (Access, MS SQL and MySQL). I also started working with phpBB and then eventually moved on to vBulletin.
I've collected a bunch of certifications during that time... MCP, MCSE, A+, Server+, LAN Professional, etc.
After being let go from that company earlier this year I moved to a small company doing IT consulting. That didn't really work out that well, so now I'm working for a much larger company, back doing server work. Mostly Windows, but some Unix as well.
I've owned a bunch of web sites, some vBulletin forums, some custom built. After I build them up and get a good user base going, I tend to lose interest and sell them off. I'm not sure why, but I can't seem to hold onto my sites. ;-)
A sampling of the sites I've built: northeastbracketracing.com, superstockhemis.com, happyhourpub.com, heavymetalscene.com, burwoodboysracing.com, ecshosting.net, listedwrong.com... There's many others. Most of those I've sold off... But I've got another one that I've been building for a couple of months that should be a good money maker once it's ready. When I have time to finish it, that is.
I also helped build and admin the first and second versions of forabodiesonly.com, I first met noppid when that was sold and converted from phpBB to vBulletin. He was helping the guy who bought it do the conversion and convert phpBB hacks (some of which I wrote) to work with vB.
On top of all of that, I'm a drag racer. I've got a '73 Duster (http://www.cpurigs.com/forums/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=86) that I race in the north east, mostly Jersey. Runs low 12s, but I'm putting a big solid cam in over the winter and it should be in the mid 11s by next season.
I think that about covers it. If you want to know anything else about me, just ask. If you don't want to know anything else, add me to your ignore list. ;-)
I've been online since 1983 or so. I used to run BBSs back in the days before Internet access was commonplace. I remember the days of UUCP moving mail around, maps and bang paths. Anybody else remember those?
I've been in the IT business for around 20 years. I started as a VAX C programmer for a manufacturer of positioning equipment. Then moved into the IT group and took over the "Business" programming on an MRP system. That was more VAX C, plus some VAX systems services. Fun stuff.
After that I worked for a financial company for 12 years or so. I started there as a Technical Support Supervisor, doing desktop support for the most part. A little while after that I moved into the development orginization and did more support type work for a whole load of developers. While doing that I taught myself Visual Basic, VBScript and other assorted Windows scripting technologies. I also got involved with doing a lot of network engineering. Mostly Cisco and Alteon.
Around the same time I started building up a side business, doing desktop and server builds, custom programming (C, VB, PHP) and database work (Access, MS SQL and MySQL). I also started working with phpBB and then eventually moved on to vBulletin.
I've collected a bunch of certifications during that time... MCP, MCSE, A+, Server+, LAN Professional, etc.
After being let go from that company earlier this year I moved to a small company doing IT consulting. That didn't really work out that well, so now I'm working for a much larger company, back doing server work. Mostly Windows, but some Unix as well.
I've owned a bunch of web sites, some vBulletin forums, some custom built. After I build them up and get a good user base going, I tend to lose interest and sell them off. I'm not sure why, but I can't seem to hold onto my sites. ;-)
A sampling of the sites I've built: northeastbracketracing.com, superstockhemis.com, happyhourpub.com, heavymetalscene.com, burwoodboysracing.com, ecshosting.net, listedwrong.com... There's many others. Most of those I've sold off... But I've got another one that I've been building for a couple of months that should be a good money maker once it's ready. When I have time to finish it, that is.
I also helped build and admin the first and second versions of forabodiesonly.com, I first met noppid when that was sold and converted from phpBB to vBulletin. He was helping the guy who bought it do the conversion and convert phpBB hacks (some of which I wrote) to work with vB.
On top of all of that, I'm a drag racer. I've got a '73 Duster (http://www.cpurigs.com/forums/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=86) that I race in the north east, mostly Jersey. Runs low 12s, but I'm putting a big solid cam in over the winter and it should be in the mid 11s by next season.
I think that about covers it. If you want to know anything else about me, just ask. If you don't want to know anything else, add me to your ignore list. ;-)