Neil Alexander
Senior Software Engineer, Architect
Contact Information
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"I Ship."
Expertise
Platforms
Languages
OOP
Databases
Experience
April 2009
to
Present
Developer(Contract)Created web portal for customer and vendor access to billing information for a telephone company. Backbone is a MySQL database that handles several million records per day. Several unix services pull data from MySQL and assign telephone calls to proper client. Subsequent billing info is then available on a daily basis to clients over the internet, and millions of transactions downloadable into formats accessible by standard spreadsheets. Technologies used: Ajax, CSS, HTML, Javascript, jQuery, MySQL, PHP, C++, Linux, DreamWeaver. We used Subversion for source-code control.
August 2009
to
January 2010
Developer Designed a book reader application engine for the iPhone. Uses web toolkit and encapsulates a 155,000 word manuscript, divided into 65 chapters. Allows fully stylized text and graphics within the reader. Submitted to iTunes store in February, 2010. Technologies used: MySQL, XML, Cocoa, iPhone.
May 2008
to
November 2008
Developer(Contract)Worked within a large Macintosh Cocoa-based framework on medical imaging application designed to track patient progress during treatment and pharmaceutical FDA protocols. Focused on MySQL database persistence and modifications. Implemented numerous UI sections from prototypes. Coded extensive charts and graphing module. Technologies included MySQL, Cocoa, Carbon, and Unix.
Waymar Foodservice, Ltd.
Pizza Restaurant Franchisor
June 2007
to
February 2008
Developer(Contract)Created an automated ordering system for franchisor allowing franchisees to order supplies via web browser interface. Extensive use of Ajax, MySql, PHP, and Adobe Spry. Also created distributed warehouse inventory system for small chain of food stores. Mix of technologies included web-based systems, barcodes, industrial label printers, Filemaker, Unix, and Cocoa.
August 2006
to
June 2007
Developer(Contract)Part of large team developing Bose's first automobile head unit, using Green Hills Real-Time-OS ("RTOS"). All code was in C++ with extensive use of Finite State Machine design. I worked on many areas, including DVD application, iPod integration, voice recognition, live video, and core controller. Product debuted at 2007 Geneva Auto Show.
October 2005
to
July 2006
Developer(Contract)Part of team porting older Macintosh CodeWarrior projects into XCode. Shipped first Avid Mac product in 2 years. Ported to Mac intel as well. Debugged giant video editor application in Windows and Macintosh. Worked with Qt in editor and integrated on Windows and Macintosh.
BeThere24-7, LLC
Online Retail Security
March 2005
to
December 2005
Architect. Internet based retail security program. Includes distributed surveillance database, cash register integration, motion detect, and so on. Multiple modules allow unlimited cameras at each site. Users log into central area to gain access. Dynamic IP addresses are automatically handled via WebServices at central site. Remote modification of video data available as well. Units run on OS X MacMinis and Apache, PHP, c++, and shell tools. Central server is OS X Server with PHP, MySQL, Apache, etc.
August 2004
to
March 2005
Developer (Contract).Internet based medical program designed to help evaluate echocardiograms. Doctors sent completed "studies" to a central server over the net. I programmed all communications (via SOAP), as well as scheduler "daemons" to upload and download very large files (500MB+), and all web based communications between daemon and client application.
March 2003
to
May 2004
Developer (Contract). Ported previous application to OS-X. Added several tablet specific features, and introduced hand writing recognition. Project is designed to use with Hitachi branded writing tablet. Application written in C++. Ongoing work developing USB drivers in OS-X for several white boards. Work includes Cocoa and userland driver development.
August 2002
to
December 2002
Developer (Contract). Wrote a USB driver for Macintosh OS-8/9 and OS-X connecting video camera. Extensive work in QuickTime VDIG, Sequence Grabber, etc. Also created Control Panel and TWAIN interfaces to the camera. Also trained permanent replacement to continue Macintosh development after my departure. USB Driver included isochronous development.
July 2002
to
September 2002
Developer (Contract). Ported web conferencing software from Windows to Macintosh. Duties included writing library interfacing Microsoft PowerPoint to Java application. Extensive programming in Visual Basic within PowerPoint. Project was for big customer who required Macintosh interface. PlaceWare was subsequently purchased by Microsoft, who killed the project.
January 2002
to
April 2002
Developer (Contract). Ported musician application written in wxWindows from Linux to Macintosh. Debugged "wxMac" extensively, and my changes are now part of the distribution. Program interfaced via USB to separate LINUX based stand-alone hardware.
August 2001
to
December 2001
Developer (Contract). Wrote a USB driver for Macintosh OS-8/9. Also developed several applications including screen capture and notation, control panel, and installer. Project is designed to use with projector on whiteboard, and annotation atop the screen. Annotation playback in realtime, much like a VCR plays tapes. Applications were written in C++; driver written in asm and C.
intensys, Inc.
Massively Parallel Processing Chip
March 2001
to
June 2001
IDE Architect (Contract). Designed a Java based IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for use with unique parallel microprocessor for start up. Deployment is destined for Linux, Solaris, and NT. Using the best features of existing IDE's, I also designed many unique features never seen before. These include special debugging tools and performance graphing within the project context. All design was done using UML tools. Revamped development procedure to allow iterative design, and plug-in architecture.
January 2000
to
February 2001
Senior Software Engineer (Contract). Worked on Olympus branded digital microscope camera attached via PCI to Windows 95/98/NT and Macintosh platforms. Extensive imaging, multi-threaded, real-time video and image capture. Did all the file system work to process and save 48bits-per-pixel digital captures (TIFF, FlashPix). Improved applications for both Windows and Macintosh. Windows application written in MFC, and Macintosh application written in Power Plant. Applications were written in C++.
August 1998
to
January 2000
Senior Software Engineer. Worked on embedded multi-threaded system using Tornado/VxWorks C++ environment from Wind River Systems. Modified Kodak DC-260 Flashpoint OS. Created new GUI for Medical Application. Extensive OS debugging and enhancement. Did work in OOP environment for cross platform imaging applications, including Olympus branded "Camedia". Did extensive localization support and installation programming.
May 1998
to
July 1998
Programmer (Contract). Worked on Java application interpreting info from 360 degree camera images. Produced Java Native Interface (JNI) libraries for Java based imaging application. Created shared libraries on Macintosh, and aided in GUI issues. Extensive use of imaging including BMP, PICT, Kodak Photo CD, and JPEG.Worked within Symantec Visual Cafe coding Java.Also implemented Rainbow Technologies Copy protection dongle system.
July 1996
to
May 1998
Software Architect & Engineering Project Manager for "DV Tools". I designed a platform independent program for use with Digital Video Cameras and recorders. I produced detailed functional definitions and program specifications. Project parameters included working with new IEEE 1394 ("FireWire") PCI card interfacing to digital video cameras. Other requirements included: asset management; storyboarding; cross platform databases; Edit decision List automation; Download and conversion to Quicktime and AVI.Team also modified and optimized DV CODEC. I led a team of eight programmers. The core subsystem I wrote for DV Tools was written for Windows & Macintosh and uses 95% identical code. Files are compatible across platforms. I also wrote entire Macintosh Application. We hired the team in August 1996 and shipped the 1st Windows 95 version ten months later. miro was acquired by Pinnacle Systems, Inc. in July, 1997. Switched hardware vendor in November, 1997 to Adaptec. New application for both Windows and Macintosh shipped in Feb, 1998.
CloudRunner, Inc
Multimedia software
November 1993
to
April 1997
Architect and Producer. I programmed a multimedia CD-ROM title called: "Origami: The Secret Life of Paper" published in September, 1996. Available on Windows 3.1 & Macintosh, the CD is 630 Megabytes and includes over 100 Quicktime movies, 300 photographs, and 40,000 words of Hypertext.
My wife and I did this CD. In addition to the programming, I did the user interface design, Win 95 Install and Autorun programming; photography, and class object framework used on both the Windows and Macintosh. A single database is used by both programs.
July 1994
to
June 1996
Lead Engineer. I implemented a platform independent database engine expressly designed for deployment in large scale simulations and games. I also wrote extensive "Core Technology" subsystems for use on Windows and Macintosh. Including but not limited to test harnesses; platform independent memory system; GUI forms generator for screen layout and prototyping. Developed proposals and executed detailed functional and formal specifications prior to coding.
March 1993
to
July 1994
Applications programmer III. I designed and programmed an interactive Geometry system used within a large Math educational program. Also designed a hypertext engine known as "Hottext". Shipped on Windows and Macintosh. Architect on Macintosh version of a multimedia authoring program called "Total Amazon". Amazon uses Quicktime, a hypertext engine, and laser video. Led three programmers, QA, and several content people. Did all schedules for the Total Amazon product including project planning, task assignment, resource leveling, and test plans.
November 1991
to
January 1993
Architect of a revolutionary high-level game development system known as "PROOF". PROOF was written in C++ and was developed for the Macintosh (MPW) and for MS-DOS. PROOF facilitates incremental program development and provides many unique features for both programmers and non-technical designers. PROOF used the first object library ever written for Dynamix, and provided most facilities for a GUI on MS-DOS. I led a team of 5 people including 2 programmers, a tester, and tech writer. Prior to PROOF, I and one other programmer shipped the Red Baron flight simulator on the Mac.
Education
US Navy
March 1979
to
March 1985
US Navy - Electronics Technician "A" & "C" Schools (1979-1981)
US Navy - Leadership,Management Education & Training (1984)
In 6 years of Navy service, I achieved the rank of 1st Class Petty officer (E-6), and graduated with honors from both "A" and "C" schools.