Fueling Your ProductivityHi, my name is Jamie and I live in the city of Calgary, in Canada, close to the Rocky Mountains - a favorite hiking / biking / skiing destination of mine... which is why you might see a mountain picture or two on this website.
I created this website not only because of my software consulting business, but more importantly because my hope is that what you will find here will be useful and provide value to you. My goal is to "fuel your productivity" by creating and offering software tools, online courses, blogging as well as software consulting services. I don't have all of that done quite yet, but I have to start somewhere! Currently that somewhere is reaching out via this website to offer you software products as well as consulting services. |
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The products I build will be accessible on the Products page so my intent on this page is to provide you with enough background information to help you with your decision should you be interested in engaging my software consulting services.
If you just want to see the career and education highlights, then visit me on LinkedIn. But, if you want a more in depth view into my journey OR are just curious about my story then read on...
If you just want to see the career and education highlights, then visit me on LinkedIn. But, if you want a more in depth view into my journey OR are just curious about my story then read on...
I Am ...
I am a Father, a Husband, a Brother, a Son, a Friend, a Colleague... and a Software Developer.
It's probably that last label that brought you here, but it's those other labels that inspire me to do what I do... perhaps like you I expect.
So, the reason you may have found yourself here, if you are NOT related to me, is that you've run into a computer software problem and are looking for a software developer who is:
It's probably that last label that brought you here, but it's those other labels that inspire me to do what I do... perhaps like you I expect.
So, the reason you may have found yourself here, if you are NOT related to me, is that you've run into a computer software problem and are looking for a software developer who is:
- Experienced and knowledgeable ... CHECK
- Good at problem solving in new business domains ... CHECK
- Has a positive and upbeat attitude ... CHECK
- And most importantly: can speak in plain language that a grandparent can understand ... CHECK & CHECK!
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I do enjoy helping people resolve their computer software challenges whether it is a desktop application, an online website or a mobile app.
I am able to help in a variety of ways such as:
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Of course, I cannot resolve every computer software challenge or know about every software program - the ocean of technology is indeed vast! But, I can promise to be transparent in my knowledge, talk in plain language and enthusiastically engage your challenges with optimism and a smile.
So, if you are a "do-it-yourself" kind of person (or a "could-do-it-but-prefer-someone-else-to-do-it" kind of person), love learning and want to be part of the process of solving your computer software challenge then you are my ideal client - let's talk!
So, if you are a "do-it-yourself" kind of person (or a "could-do-it-but-prefer-someone-else-to-do-it" kind of person), love learning and want to be part of the process of solving your computer software challenge then you are my ideal client - let's talk!
The Backstory
But Jamie, how did you get here ?
I have not always been a Software Developer nor can I say that I knew I wanted to be one when I was much younger.
But, having said that, I have always enjoyed the process of developing software: from talking with end-users ("end-user" is developer speak for the person sitting in front of the keyboard using their software program - ie. a real person like you), to designing and implementing a solution, to re-connecting with those end-users (preferably frequently) to see if what was delivered matched what they thought they wanted... because sometimes (often?) "you'll only know it, when you see it".
The chronological sequence of my experience is of course, listed on LinkedIn - feel free to follow along to see where I've been. You'll notice I do not have a Computer Science degree per se but do have an advanced science and engineering education. That may or may not check off some boxes for you. For me, my education taught me how to think analytically and to attack a problem from every angle until it's solved (or that you decide it's no longer a problem worth solving). The software industry attracts all types of backgrounds and you need them all, from the artistically creative to the detail-oriented scientific. There's usually a spectrum of that in everyone (as much as in any other technical profession I presume).
But, having said that, I have always enjoyed the process of developing software: from talking with end-users ("end-user" is developer speak for the person sitting in front of the keyboard using their software program - ie. a real person like you), to designing and implementing a solution, to re-connecting with those end-users (preferably frequently) to see if what was delivered matched what they thought they wanted... because sometimes (often?) "you'll only know it, when you see it".
The chronological sequence of my experience is of course, listed on LinkedIn - feel free to follow along to see where I've been. You'll notice I do not have a Computer Science degree per se but do have an advanced science and engineering education. That may or may not check off some boxes for you. For me, my education taught me how to think analytically and to attack a problem from every angle until it's solved (or that you decide it's no longer a problem worth solving). The software industry attracts all types of backgrounds and you need them all, from the artistically creative to the detail-oriented scientific. There's usually a spectrum of that in everyone (as much as in any other technical profession I presume).
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When I say I have not always been a software developer, it's because in the early stages of my career, developing software was simply a way to get the "real job" done. I first worked in the medical device industry, then in a hospital as a clinical engineer and finally in medical imaging research. It was fascinating being in those worlds because if I ever got tired of programming, there was whole lot of biology/physiology/medical problems to learn about and solve. But life intervened and for family reasons I moved from Washington, DC back up to Calgary in 1999. |
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Software development was the transferable skill I had when looking into other industries outside of the medical industry. My goal was to work full time as a 'Software Developer' so I applied to those job postings. After several interviews where I would inevitably do poorly on the 'written exam' I was fortunate to have someone take a chance on my potential, rather than on my depth of mastery and got hired.
I was hired by a company, based in Silicon Valley in California, that had an R&D outpost in the Great White North (aka Canada). I learned a lot in those first years about software industry techniques, life cycle and best practices. I worked with some brilliant software developers both locally and from around the world. It was a great opportunity. The company's product lines centered around Enterprise Search and Information Management which is where I developed an interest in finding those digital artifacts we all create in abundance but sometimes misplace. You may know those 'digital artifacts' as computer files: ie. documents, spreadsheets, slides, images, music, video, etc.
In the subsequent post dot-com years I also learned about layoffs, mergers, getting gobbled up by technology giants and about stress. As my career progressed, I began to drift further from the end-user (remember that's you), without even being aware of it. I got caught up in riding the career train and forgot to ask two very important questions: (1) where was it going? and (2) where did I want to go?
I was hired by a company, based in Silicon Valley in California, that had an R&D outpost in the Great White North (aka Canada). I learned a lot in those first years about software industry techniques, life cycle and best practices. I worked with some brilliant software developers both locally and from around the world. It was a great opportunity. The company's product lines centered around Enterprise Search and Information Management which is where I developed an interest in finding those digital artifacts we all create in abundance but sometimes misplace. You may know those 'digital artifacts' as computer files: ie. documents, spreadsheets, slides, images, music, video, etc.
In the subsequent post dot-com years I also learned about layoffs, mergers, getting gobbled up by technology giants and about stress. As my career progressed, I began to drift further from the end-user (remember that's you), without even being aware of it. I got caught up in riding the career train and forgot to ask two very important questions: (1) where was it going? and (2) where did I want to go?
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In essence, as I drifted further from what I loved about software development I forgot about who the software development was ultimately for (remember that's you). Fortunately or unfortunately (depends on your perspective), my mind and body gave me a wake up call. I'll save you the gory details and elaborate on the "fortunate" part which is that it sent me back to the drawing board to discover what did I really want to pursue professionally and if that was to be in the software industry then what drew me to software development in the first place.
Some challenging questions, to be sure. A mid-life crisis? Perhaps, although I can say no fast sports car or motorbike has materialized... yet! |
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One thing I do know is that I could not tear myself away from writing code. I continued to develop a side project - which then became my main project. Soon, I grew to discover that my stress was not in the writing of the code but in the connection of who I was writing the code for. The way I have come to understand it in my own words is that by switching from helping "Big Data" to helping what I call "Small Data" again is that connection of who it was for was the most important thing to me. It had to be front and center, not buried by layers of roles, separate responsibilities and management.
Let me clarify some terms here:
Now, "Big Data" is very challenging and important work, but at that time I was too far removed from the end-user to feel like I was contributing "in service of" those users. Now "Small Data" is by no means "small"! Truly, it is amazing how much digital data each individual is capable of generating daily - staggering really :-) . To me, "Small Data" is all about the computer stuff that is immediate and personal to you.... yes, you sitting there at your computer or mobile device or wherever you are reading this -whether at home, at work on the bus - but please not while driving!
So, how DID I get here?
In summary, I got on the career train some 30 years ago and learned a ton about software development both on the "outside looking in" as well as "on the inside looking out". Fortunately, my career train stopped for some unscheduled maintenance which allowed me to wander away from the station to re-discover what fueled my curiosity, what fueled my motivation, and what fueled my productivity.
What is it, you ask?
Read on...
Let me clarify some terms here:
- by "Big Data" I mean the corporate giants of software development,
- by "Small Data" I mean individuals and small/medium sized businesses.
Now, "Big Data" is very challenging and important work, but at that time I was too far removed from the end-user to feel like I was contributing "in service of" those users. Now "Small Data" is by no means "small"! Truly, it is amazing how much digital data each individual is capable of generating daily - staggering really :-) . To me, "Small Data" is all about the computer stuff that is immediate and personal to you.... yes, you sitting there at your computer or mobile device or wherever you are reading this -whether at home, at work on the bus - but please not while driving!
So, how DID I get here?
In summary, I got on the career train some 30 years ago and learned a ton about software development both on the "outside looking in" as well as "on the inside looking out". Fortunately, my career train stopped for some unscheduled maintenance which allowed me to wander away from the station to re-discover what fueled my curiosity, what fueled my motivation, and what fueled my productivity.
What is it, you ask?
Read on...
What would I love to do?
I would love to help you!
What I love about software development is observing how it directly benefits you! If I am involved in directly helping you "fuel your productivity" through software technology, whether I develop the product or not, that is what gets me excited and engaged!
I love being on the front lines.
I love the challenge of deciphering what we think we need into what we actually need.
Because sometimes... you won't know it until you see it!
<RANT-ON>
I do know that in the land of software development it can be very hard for an end-user to describe, down to the last detail, exactly what they want and need. Computers and hence, software are all about exact details. There has to be a significant amount of interpretation, anticipation and creativity on the part of the developer and an equal part of reviewing and explaining again by the end-user. This should be the fun part but sometimes devolves into the stressful part as timelines get blown out. Developers do need "alone-time" to perform their interpretation, anticipation and creativity but then they need constructive feedback and feature negotiation since nothing is ever for free.
<RANT-OFF>
When people ask me what I do....
Sometimes I hesitate to say "Software Developer" because usually it either causes crickets in the room or I get the follow up question which is "Oh, what kind of software do you develop?"
When the former occurs, there is a moment of silence for the dearly departed and then we move onto more exciting topics like the weather and how the local hockey sports team did.
When the later occurs it usually means that the person has some knowledge about software either because they develop it, sell it, or need to buy it.
- What software applications do use?
- What files of information do you have and how do you organize it?
- If you could wave a magic software development wand and have your problems resolved, how would it make your life easier?
I love being on the front lines.
I love the challenge of deciphering what we think we need into what we actually need.
Because sometimes... you won't know it until you see it!
<RANT-ON>
I do know that in the land of software development it can be very hard for an end-user to describe, down to the last detail, exactly what they want and need. Computers and hence, software are all about exact details. There has to be a significant amount of interpretation, anticipation and creativity on the part of the developer and an equal part of reviewing and explaining again by the end-user. This should be the fun part but sometimes devolves into the stressful part as timelines get blown out. Developers do need "alone-time" to perform their interpretation, anticipation and creativity but then they need constructive feedback and feature negotiation since nothing is ever for free.
<RANT-OFF>
When people ask me what I do....
Sometimes I hesitate to say "Software Developer" because usually it either causes crickets in the room or I get the follow up question which is "Oh, what kind of software do you develop?"
When the former occurs, there is a moment of silence for the dearly departed and then we move onto more exciting topics like the weather and how the local hockey sports team did.
When the later occurs it usually means that the person has some knowledge about software either because they develop it, sell it, or need to buy it.
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I've thought of a couple of 'elevator pitches' to spice things up:
Since leaving the corporate world and working more on a personal level, I've discovered a few things about the rest of the world that software developers might take for granted:
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So, I've tried to approach each circumstance from where the client is. What are they comfortable with, what are they not?
Do they really need that latest, fanciest, buzzword compliant software or can we make their existing version of 1997 software work for them and just add a few modern bells and whistles behind the scenes so they are more productive.
They answer is that in some cases yes and some cases no - software is like that, it's soft!
I came to the conclusion today that I am a "Software Integration Specialist".
What do I mean by that?
As I said before, I can't possibly know every piece of software out there nor know how they could fit together.
But I do know this:
I also know that:
All the above allows me to do two very important things for you:
Now, am I the world's foremost expert in all the above?
Of course not - my expertise varies with every item above. Some of the technologies I have used recently. Some I haven't used for years.
But. most importantly, I have been exposed to the possibilities - and in software integration and development that is half the battle.
I am able to see the possibility!
It's that possibility that gets me out of bed every day.
And it's the possibility that I might be able to help you!
If you are interested Contact me.
Do they really need that latest, fanciest, buzzword compliant software or can we make their existing version of 1997 software work for them and just add a few modern bells and whistles behind the scenes so they are more productive.
They answer is that in some cases yes and some cases no - software is like that, it's soft!
I came to the conclusion today that I am a "Software Integration Specialist".
What do I mean by that?
As I said before, I can't possibly know every piece of software out there nor know how they could fit together.
But I do know this:
- I can think like a software developer.
- I can anticipate what the author of the application you are using may have done to address a certain feature.
- I can envision what technology hurdles that author may have encountered and how they might have resolved them.
I also know that:
- I have worked on a variety of OS platforms: Windows, Unix, Mac
- I have worked on a variety of devices: Server, Desktop, Web, Mobile
- I have worked in a variety of languages: Java, WLanguage, C/C++, SQL, PHP, Python, HTML, Javascript, CSS, etc...
All the above allows me to do two very important things for you:
- Recommend when to use software that already exists and teach you how to use it.
- Recommend when to build custom software and perform that activity in close consultation with you.
Now, am I the world's foremost expert in all the above?
Of course not - my expertise varies with every item above. Some of the technologies I have used recently. Some I haven't used for years.
But. most importantly, I have been exposed to the possibilities - and in software integration and development that is half the battle.
I am able to see the possibility!
- The possibility of using technology instead of technology using you.
- The possibility of being more productive through the judicious use of software versus just jumping on the next big thing band wagon.
It's that possibility that gets me out of bed every day.
And it's the possibility that I might be able to help you!
If you are interested Contact me.
How have I been helping ?
Here are some highlights:
Interested in learning more?
Contact me
- Developed a desktop application to help people visualize all their file and folders at once. See my Products page!
- Implemented an open source ERP system as well as developed custom integration tools for a medium-sized manufacturing company.
- Developed a custom desktop application to process quality assurance test data for a battery manufacturer.
- Wrote a code generator to help convert a large Excel spreadsheet (~20 sheets, ~300-800 columns each) into a well logging analysis program.
- Automated a website's static PayPal integration to auto-generate customer emails when products are purchased.
- Advised an Oil & Gas professional society's steering committee on their website requirements.
- Assisted an Oil & Gas exploration company with their information management system integration.
- Assisted a transportation safety company with their initial development infrastructure.
Interested in learning more?
Contact me
Still with me?
What's with that logo ?
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I love bikes! I commuted to work for approximately 30 years by bicycle. All year round, in all kinds of weather; snow, cold (-30 celsius) and freezing rain! When you ride a bike there is nothing like getting into the big gear and rolling effortlessly along. Sure it takes energy to reach that speed, but once you are there and flowing there is nothing like it!
So, my logo is that part of the bicycle that does the heavy lifting, transferring energy into forward progress. The two different sized cogs represent the "Big Gear" - big ring up front, small ring in the rear. The bicycle chain connects the two rings and is represented by ones and zeros (computer code) on top and my tagline "fueling your productivity" below. By writing code I help you move forward faster. My company's mission is to help you get into your big gear with your software challenges. |
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Disclaimer
WHAT - you need a disclaimer?
Let me explain... it's about spelling! I am a Physics major after all :-).
You see I currently live in Canada but once upon a time I lived in the United States of America (on the East coast if you must know: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, DC). So, sometimes I use the British spelling and sometimes I use the American spelling of a word. It all depends...
Take for example, my business tagline: should it be "Fuelling..." or "Fueling..."? On my business cards, which I hand out here in Canada, it's the former. On this website, it's the later.
Let me explain... it's about spelling! I am a Physics major after all :-).
You see I currently live in Canada but once upon a time I lived in the United States of America (on the East coast if you must know: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, DC). So, sometimes I use the British spelling and sometimes I use the American spelling of a word. It all depends...
Take for example, my business tagline: should it be "Fuelling..." or "Fueling..."? On my business cards, which I hand out here in Canada, it's the former. On this website, it's the later.
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Now before you think that I am all that strategic in my marketing, let me tell you that it is mostly because a Canadian advised me on my business cards and an American advised me on my website content. So, be prepared for both and if you think there is a spelling mistake then assume it's the other form!
(However, feel free to send me a note to check - much appreciated :-) My favorite slam poetry performance on this topic is called: "The The Impotence of Proofreading" - by Taylor Mali Hope you enjoy! |
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Family and Friends
Most of the following information is in the public domain thanks to social media. However, I will just consolidate it here for your convenience.
As I mentioned, I am a father and a husband. Two of my boys are break dancers - to be honest, they did not get that from me :-). My eldest son is now in university and loves math way more than I ever did at that age. My wife co-owns her own business, so if you live in Calgary and have a dog that needs running - check it out: www.dog-gone-running.com
Starting your own business, whatever it may be, is no small task. Apart from the basic marketing, financial, and legal logistics there is also you. I have received help and advice from several sources as it is difficult to do it all alone. I will say it has been important for me to develop daily practices as well as to continually cultivate sources of new ideas and different perspectives (eg. reading and podcasts). I am always happy to discuss any of these aspects with others who are also starting their own businesses - no matter the industry.
As I mentioned, I am a father and a husband. Two of my boys are break dancers - to be honest, they did not get that from me :-). My eldest son is now in university and loves math way more than I ever did at that age. My wife co-owns her own business, so if you live in Calgary and have a dog that needs running - check it out: www.dog-gone-running.com
Starting your own business, whatever it may be, is no small task. Apart from the basic marketing, financial, and legal logistics there is also you. I have received help and advice from several sources as it is difficult to do it all alone. I will say it has been important for me to develop daily practices as well as to continually cultivate sources of new ideas and different perspectives (eg. reading and podcasts). I am always happy to discuss any of these aspects with others who are also starting their own businesses - no matter the industry.
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Did I mention I love the mountains!?!
Since Calgary is relatively close to the Rocky Mountains I manage to get out hiking in the summer with a friend or two every now and then. Some recent excursions over the years have included: Tower Mountain, Pilot Mountain, Mt. Temple and this past summer we attempted a 20-25 km circumnavigation of the French, Haig and Robertson glaciers... but alas we had to turn back, perhaps next year! In the winter you'll find me occasionally skiing at the local ski areas around Banff, but also venturing off on telemark skis looking for less crowds and one run of the day. Oh yeah, I still strap on the hockey skates and shuffle around the ice from time to time, but that's more of an excuse for the accompanying post-activity refreshments than anything else. Outside of my business, I also help people by volunteering my time to fix bicycles, to instruct with disabled skiers and since I have a pickup truck - to haul stuff. Need a hand? I have two. |
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Well, if you read this far - congratulations I owe you a coffee!
Thanks for reading.
With gratitude,
- Jamie
Thanks for reading.
With gratitude,
- Jamie