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Other projects

Infastructure Tools and Libraries

The client had an existing system for school system administration that ran on HP3000s, and they wanted a Windows front-end.

  • Code generator for converting COBOL CopyLibs to VB Class modules. If all ~1,500 record definitions were converted, roughly one million lines of VB code would be generated. Each class knew how to serialize itself to and from the HP3000 back-end, converting datatypes, etc.
  • Dynamic Report Screen generator. Using a simple definition file, a custom VB report form would be dynamically generated. Custom Windows socket library; based on original source created by Desaware software. Dan Appleman, of Desaware, is a true low-level Windows guru, plus a heck of a nice guy. Desaware makes great products.
  • Continuation of previous class library development (that I retained rights to). I believe it had about 65 classes and 1,800 methods when all was said and done.

These were all built with Visual Basic.

Mortgage Origination System (used by 5 of the top-ten banks in the U.S.)

The banking brain behind this system was Rich Marston, of Marston Financial Systems, Inc. I was the technical guy, though I learned a lot about mortgages while working on this project. If you need someone who knows mortages, and how to get the numbers right–no matter how complex and ugly your products are–Rich Marston is the man you should call.

  • Design and development of Windows-based mortgage origination system.
  • Production technical support. ( Analysis, and optimization of clients other in-house software.
  • Conversion of 16-bit mortgage origination system to 32-bit.
  • Design and development of processes, reusable components (DLLs and ActiveX controls), and tools for VB/Windows development.
  • Train and mentor employees in object-oriented development practices.

This system was built with Visual Basic, and some Delphi and PowerBASIC.

Visual Basic Specialist (IBAX Healthcare R&D project)

  • Proof-of-concept project for conversion of a 4,000 screen AS/400 system to the Windows platform.
  • Designed and developed an engine that would dynamically generate Visual Basic forms from AS/400 Presentation Spaces using Rumba.

Other

Spell checking add-in for vertical market software (MicroCraft)

Using Microhelp’s custom control for Visual Basic, a spell-checking feature was “added to” an existing DOS program running under Windows. The add-on would read the proprietary data files, allow you to select a particular file or account, then scan the file for spelling errors, displaying a window that allowed you to update the data in the file.

Direct-Line-Plus mortgage origination system (Countrywide Funding)

Allowed brokers to remotely access current pricing, submit loan applications, and check their status. This was pretty cutting edge for a small team to build in Windows at the time.

Front end for Excel/Word data access (Bonneville Power, ETI/AMPG)

Bonneville Power did an energy survey (PNWRES92 if memory serves), that produced hundreds of Excel spreadsheets and Word documents. A navigation system was built with Visual Basic that controlled Word and Excel via DDE to let the users select documents, or groups of documents from menus, automatically display charts, etc.

Kiosk software (computer dating) (The Network Club International)

Interfaced with a bill acceptor and touch screen. Simple data entry, profile matching, and account maintenance.

Commercial PIM/Contact Manager (Call or Write – Positive Software Solutions)

A commercial Personal Information Manager for Windows, published by Positive Software Solutions. Version 1 was built with Visual Basic version 1.0, and Version 2 with VB3; it used the QEVB data engine. Notable for its time was a customizable table view, the ability to define and store custom views, and the ability to query by example. It could be used to auto-dial phone numbers, and print mailing labels.

Gear Design Assistance software (DOS-based) (Barner Engineering)

This was a rough prototype, run as a graphics-mode DOS app, that would allow you to enter target criteria, then interactively “tune” the resulting gear design.

Loudspeaker Design Tools (DOS-based) (Self-Published)

Design software for loudspeakers. Supported various box designs (vented, transmission line, horn, sealed, double-chamber reflex) and simple passive networks. Came with a standard database of drivers that could be extended by the user.