I was raised in Silicon Valley. When I was 10 years old, I was fixing tube televisions. I built all of my test equipment from Heathkit catalogs. When I was in my teens, I repaired, modified and used Citizen Band 2-way radios. When Personal Computers were ...
I was raised in Silicon Valley. When I was 10 years old, I was fixing tube televisions. I built all of my test equipment from Heathkit catalogs. When I was in my teens, I repaired, modified and used Citizen Band 2-way radios. When Personal Computers were designed, I had several S-100 based systems. Working IMSAI and Byte-8 Computers. I worked at Cromemco, then Advanced Micro Devices, testing 9080 CPUs, EE-PROMS, RAM, wafers and finished products. I learned how to repair and calibrate all of the equipment used at AMD including the $multi-million Test Equipment. I was offered a management job but turned it down. I like to work with equipment more than work with people. I also learned how to work with high power microscopes to repair and test microcircuits and use Micromanipulators
After being trained, I decided to work for Data General because the pay was better and AMD refused to match what Data General paid me. Data Genearl taught me Failure Analysis using the Deming System of Statistical Analysis to reduce failure rates of ANY product.
My next job was my dream job. Helping Design and Build the Y-MP Supercomputer for Cray Research in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, a one hours drive from my birthplace, Ladysmith, Wisconsin. I used all my skills as a scientist to research the speed of a pulse sent through a single gate of the 5-4 gates and the newly designed 16 gate gate array Cray used to upgrade the X-MP supercomputer being sold at the time. At home, I self-trained as a UNIX System Administrator and installed the X Windows System and dial-up UUNET connections, becoming a node on UUNET.
When it was decided to eliminate the RESEARCH in Cray Research, our budget was cut-off and Seymour Cray and Dr. Chen ( my boss ) left suddenly. I had to pick up the pieces and turn our data over to the boss. My VP, asked me what I wanted to do. I chose this new thing in communications called DARPAnet. I was trained on TCP/IP, Ethenet Analysis and Sun System Administration ( complementing my self taught UNIX System Administration ). I was taught all the mechanics of repairing Fiber Optic cables, terminations and endpoint connectivity for in building copper connections, including cable management. After dealing with all DARPAnet communications, I was made Network Engineer. After I used my network repair Sniffer to capture log-ins and passwords, I was made Network Security Engineer and when it was found out I was a PC expert, I got the role of remonving the first PC virii infecting everyone's PCs.
After I was cut loose from Cray ( My VP did the exit interview ), I moved to Colorado to do network contracting jobs all over the Front Range, including work at HP. I decided that I would like to learn Robotics, because I was a good analog technician. I worked with sensors for Apogee Robotics in Fort Collins. They made Automated Guided Vehicles ( AGVs ) that moved people and materials that were hazardous for people to move. Shortly before Apogee went out of business, I left to work with a company specializing in stock market transactions. This company was backed by 8 major trading houses to make stock market transactions in 15 minutes istead of 2 days. I was concerned with the security issues and ended up with a disagreement with my boss. Yes, we were responsible for creating " day traders ". No, I cannot " day trade " because of SEC limits. I ndid PC work for a time, then ended up at JD Edwards. I learned and taught people to use Dragon Dictate after I used it to fill the parts of my trouble tickets.
I left to follow Seymour Cray in Colorado Springs. My friend who actually worked with Seymour and I went to see him but we were both shocked to learn he just died from an automobile accident.
I went to work at Continental Divide Robotics. We were designing a Parolee Tracking System, the Skyguard 5000 for BI. I first worked on antenna problems, including working inside a Faraday Cage and at BI, who linked the ankle bracelets to our transmitter. My boss wanted me to become a Project Manager but I lasted 2 weeks at that job.
I've been a Lab Manager at Bolder Technologies before the company got outsourced. Now we see layered batteries and power cells designed with our technology today, like LiPo batteries used in drones.
Right now, I'm building a supercomputer to be housed downstairs. I have a friend who graduated from MIT with an AI degree. He now works out of Denver on the Google Cars used at the Googleplex in Mountain View, just over 2 miles from where I grew up. My friend will work on applying AI to a supercomputer and I can give it the sensors needed to connect to the outside world BEFORE I put it on line to the World Wide Web.
I would like to get involved with the future of cybernetics on any solution created to make a man habitation at LEO or at the LaGrange Points between the Earth and Moon. I will be willing to make a one-way trip to install and troubleshoot such a system.. My system is an update to the technology that the original Cray Systems architecture, including several patented designs I helped develop in the lab. I can use my Robotics experience to add the needed sensors to add needed computer control of a vehicle.
