Alan H.J. Rocker Email: arocker @ vex.net
EXPERIENCE SUMMARY
Systems: Unix SVR[34], Solaris, SCO, Xenix (Vp/ix), Linux,
TCP/IP LANs, X, Motif, IBM MVS & MS-DOS, Mac, CP/M, &c
Languages: Awk, C, COBOL, dBase, English, FoxBase, Korn/Bash shell,
Perl, Progress
Recent experience - Reverse chronological order
Feb. 2008 - January 2011
Broadridge Financial Solutions - Back-office services for finance
industry
Implemented an automated system which had previously been a
tedious, labour-intensive and error-prone process, using Perl and
shell scripts and coordinating with the operations department.
Some jobs required generation of code for Autosys and Oracle.
Systems set up with Windows and Linux virtual machines (VMs)
were used to simulate and test the environment prior to
migrating into production. Some of the existing system was
refactored as well, improving security.
Used my previous training experience to train and mentor 2
Windows-oriented colleagues in Perl and Unix techniques and
philosophy.
Oct. 1999 - 2007
Willcam Group (now part of Global Knowledge) - training organisation.
Instructed on Unix, Perl and related topics
Aug. 1999 Linux system administration
MET Enterprises Software developer
Installed Linux machine in network & set up NFS link
April 1999 Progress 8 application developer
TCN Systems (System Developer & ISP)
Wrote Progress / HTML (4) interface for data entry
May 1998 - November 1998 Progress 8,2 application developer
DST (Canada) (Financial software package vendor)
Added table and related code to database for Quebec LIF
processing. (On-line & batch). Modified other programs,.
most dealing with segregated funds interface.
April 1997 - April 1998 Progress 7.3 application implementor /
system administrator (SCO Open Server)
Apps Express Cartage (Trucking company)
Developed Progress programs to supplement package
Installed new version of Progress
Installed application upgrade & modified programs
System administration taskss
Dec 1996 - Feb 1997 Network Implementor
MET Enterprises (Unix software vendor)
Installed network PCs/terminals to Interactive Unix
June - Nov 1996 Database implementor / Progress 7.3 programmer
CJRT-FM (Non-profit radio station)
Re-engineered & installed deposit cheque system for
student registration database (Progress), and revised
WordPerfect macros for documents. Implemented e-mail.
July 1995 - June 1996 Computing Services Coordinator
McCarthy Tetrault - Lawyers
System administration & management. Supervised operat-
ions staff. Managed computer-room environment, includ-
ing UPS, and upgraded fire-protection system.
Replaced Xerox 4050 laser printer with HP-5s (using
TCP/IP) for main output devices. Cleaned up neglected
file systems. Wrote shell scripts, WP macros and Awk
programs for operations and users. Dealt with operational
emergencies. Managed X-25 network and multiplexors, and
interface to Netware through Portable Netware. Dealt
with accounting package vendor enhancements and bug fixes.
Liased with PC network support staff. Minor application
maintenance.
DG Aviion with DG/UX (Unix, basically SVR4 but with some
BSD features) and Portable Netware running CLO*2 (law
firm accounting package)
Apr - May 1995 CJRT-FM (Non-profit radio station)
Minor system administration. Setting up PC as magnifying
terminal for visually-impaired user. Analysed requirements
for student registration and re-engineered accounting
Coordinated implementation of Progress package for these.
(UNIX SVR4 & Xenix - shell scripts & SQL from Integra).
(1990-93) Implemented Record Library Catalogue (Dos/Xenix)
(Actual work only took a few days, but they need
handholding and advice from time to time, plus new
applications.)
Devised system, designed forms, trained user (librarian).
Bought terminals. Fixed panics.
Standard MS-DOS database (Cardbox-Plus) provides
catalogue facilities required, running under Vp/ix on
386 with Xenix. Multiple users R/O access via links.
BYTE/NSTL (National Software Testing Laboratory) Nov - Dec 1994
Compared printers (ranging from desktop dot-matrix to
network laser print servers) for ergonomics, quality of
documentation, accuracy of manufacturers' supplied
information, and quality of output.
Empress Software. (Database vendor) April - July 1994
Part of the team working on their new X Motif GUI-
builder tool. Created technical concept manuals, user
reference manuals, and an introductory tutorial, while
the design team were evolving the product.
DEN Micro Consultants (Micro software vendor) Jan - Feb 1993
Converted FoxBase Trust Accounts System to (networked)
Clipper (Novell network).
Don Mills Technosystems (Software developer) Jan - May 1992
Project manager for AS/400, SUN, Xerox spooler system
Dealt with hardware and software suppliers and
potential project staff.
Set up SUN workstation, analysed, bought and installed
Ethernet network. Installed IBM channel emulation card.
Installed beta software package, analysed activity, and
established interface with Xerox printer.
Prepared for TCP/IP link with AS/400.
Ministry of Housing February - March 1992
Documented FoxBase LAN system (using AWK).
MET Enterprises. (Unix software vendor) September 1991
Converted IBM MARC tape (variable number of variable-
length fields) to Unix COBOL format (wrote C program to
do the conversion). (RM-COBOL on 386 Interactive Unix).
1992 Ported COBOL code to SUN
1987 Developed packet radio network concept
1983 Helped port NCR 8350 COBOL code to NCR Tower
Also various minor DOS projects for friends.
Other Clients (Partial List, in alphabetical order)
Centennial College
1985 Installed network printer
Ontario Civil Service Commission.
1987 Ministry of Industry & Tourism.
1986 - 89 Ministry of Consumer & Commercial Relations
1981 - 89 Ministry of Government Services.
1983 - 89 Ministry of Natural Resources
Established Easytrieve macro libraries
and procedures. (JCL & SPF).
Developed Easytrieve information systems
Wrote Travel Accounting system (dBase II/III)
Royal Canadian Institute (Scientific society)
1986 Transferred member file from VAX to Macintosh
1993 Implemented Dac-Easy accounting system
Schwartzendruber Ltd. (Vending & Catering)
1988 Developed remote data collection system concept
1981 - 85 System selection & spreadsheet applications
SKILLS SUMMARY
Implementation specialist
- Understand sociology of systems introduction - need for
motivation, training, support & follow-up
Problem definition & analysis
- Can interview users & potential users (from clerical to top
executive) to determine problems with existing systems &
requirements & criteria for new systems
- Understand business considerations
- Have learnt to read "unspoken" requirements & body language
- Can write readable reports on studies
Feasibility studies
- Know enough about hardware (embedded to mainframe, including
networks) and software (from operating systems through tools to
applications) at all levels to determine if proposed
configuration is plausible.
- Can use libraries & other resources to research possible solutions
Data analysis, design and normalisation
- Can design data structures for file systems & relational databases
- Understand object orientation for systems
System design
- Understand importance of designing systems for extremes as well
as routine circumstances (e.g. backup/restore)
- Insist on user representation in design issues
- Have studied user interface design considerations
Testing
- Can design test scenarios to stress systems (both for normal
circumstances and beyond normal limits)
- Consider dimensions of testing to be correctness (does the
system give the right answers), performance (does it give them
fast enough to be useful), robustness (the system should not be
crashable), and usability (can representative users learn it
quickly, use it correctly, and enjoy the experience).
Documentation
- Can produce system & program specifications to several levels
of detail (from system synopsis to program function definition).
- Can write user instructions (although if the system is well
produced these will probably never be read)
Programming
- Can learn new languages & packages without formal training
- Can program in PROGRESS, COBOL, Easytrieve, XBase, C, AWK,
Perl,and various batch/script languages.
- Can use consumer products (e.g. word-processors, spreadsheets)
as components of systems, with macros as necessary
Miscellaneous Skills
Research - Can read manuals & use an index, so can function in
cross-platform environments
Hardware - able to work with hardware down to board level (will
use screwdriver but not soldering iron)
Writing - Have had articles published in trade magazines
Presentation - Enjoy public speaking & presentations
Leadership - Generally accepted as task-oriented & sincere,
hence able to enlist cooperation of others.
Employee Positions.
1977-1980 Pansophic (Toronto) Technical Support Representative
1975-1977 K-Mart (Toronto) 1977 Assistant Manager, POS system.
1976 Systems Programmer
1975 Project Leader
1974-1975 Mobil Oil Company (Sevenoaks, UK) Programmer
1972-1974 Excess Insurance (Worthing, UK) "
1970-1971 Reed Computer Services (London, UK) "
1968-1970 American Express IBC (UK & Frankfurt, Germany)
1967-1968 English Electric Computers (UK) Trainee Programmer
EDUCATION
1966-Present Some U. of T. Courses, Canadian Securities,
Programming management, Introduction to Packet
Switching, Public Speaking, Sales, Assembler,
Easytrieve, Panexec, Acting, Computer graphics
1966 4 GCE 'A'-levels
HOBBIES
Flying (Commercial Pilot with multi-engine,
instructor, instrument & float ratings)
Windsurfing & Sailing
Photography
Personal Computing
Writing
CITIZENSHIP
British & Canadian