Integrity underpins both. If we share the same meaning of integrity and other core values, we can work together building trust, respect, and a mutually beneficial relationship.
I've been in computing for 20-25 years, depending on how you count it. From the moment I found I could study it, I've been fascinated by it and dedicated to it.
I've worked in large organisations (OTC, CSR, CSIRO, TNT), small (Softway, AgVantage, ATR, myself), the government (DFAT, Customs), both as a permanent employee and contractor.
I've taught, run my own business, and consulted to a wide variety of business - farmers, small business and multinationals. I've been an local office holder in my professional associations.
I've worked on, managed, operated, and programmed mainframes, midframes, Unix, LAN's - NT and Novell, PC's, and even a Telex exchange. I've some experience with hardware - replacing, installing, connecting, wiring, and configuring.
As well I've worked designing and developing new software, supporting and modifying existing software, doing data analysis and design, System Administration, Help Desk and writing documentation or manuals.
Leadership. Can I do it? The teams I've worked in, function well and meet their promises. Junior staff, from my mentoring, come away expert in their tools and hopefully with an understanding of what professional programming is about.
Commitment. Do I have a track record? 7 years each at CSR and OTC. Normal stays at other places.
Invention, Innovation and Creativity. Any track record? To stay in the game and still be highly technically competent involves continual renewal and creativity. My chief claim is documented at Softway. In September 1986 I co-authored a proposal presented to Techway for 4 systems developments - two of which were RAID and multi-protocol routers. They declined. The products turned up in the market in 1990 and 1991 and have grown to be multi-billion dollar global markets.
In 1990 I spent 9 months attempting to get support from the Telecom Product Development Fund to develop a dedicated FAX network based on Unix servers, some parts of X.400 and the internet. They declined as well, citing "Nobody else is doing this", "We cant see how this could be done so cheaply", "What's new - you're using existing components", "We cant figure out who should assess this - it doesnt fall into any of our existing areas", and, in response to the possibility of combining all their text services into one framework, "Why would we want to do that?".
Why hasn't anyone else thought of such an obvious idea as the netserver? And yes, this was one of the challanges posed by the Patents Office.
I've been working in digital communications, systems and network management, telecommunications, and computing pushing 20 years -- I know and understand the technical side all the way down and understand consumer needs and usability as well. As a working Systems Administrator, providing exactly these services to large organisations is my daily bread and butter. Unlike the vendors, I have to work across all the specialities and provide a working service, everyday.
I know what I want for myself at home, not vaguely, but exactly - and have the technical ability to do it. If I am frustrated and stymied by the current PC technology, so will most PC users. That they don't know that it doesn't have to be that way and accept it - and hence don't lobby vendors for anything different - is my overwhelming advantage.
I could well have a two year lead on the large specialist companies.
Lastly, from years in business and computing, I've a degree of self-knowledge and understanding. As well as knowing that I need others to cover important areas - Marketing, Finance, Production Control - I have the honesty and humility to admit what I dont know and seek help.
Steve Jenkin 30 August 1997