Robert Prouse - Computer Programmer/Analyst

Senior Developer/ Architect/ Analyst

A Senior Engineer, Analyst and Developer with 8 years cutting-edge IT experience. A specialist in developing complex applications and servers in C/C++/C#/PHP/Java on multiple platforms. A track-record of designing, developing and delivering products on-time and on-budget and a demonstrated ability to produce enterprise class software for the North American, European and Asian markets.

As comfortable architecting solutions as mentoring junior developers. Well suited to challenging positions that require strong leadership, design and technical skills. A proven asset to companies because of a broad range of skills extending beyond Object Oriented Development and Architectures, including Unix System Administration, Network Design, Database Administration, Documentation and Management.

Skilled at network socket programming, threading, cryptography, web based application development. An experienced 3D game developer, who's work has been recognized with various awards from others in the industry. Designed and developed 3 tier client/server/database applications that served millions of users and handled thousands of transactions a second.

Portfolio of Technical Skills

Languages: C, C++, C#, Java, MFC, Win32 API, PHP, Perl, Python, XML, RDF, SQL, Unix Shell Scripts, COM, .NET, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Bash
Development Tools: Visual C++, Borland C++ Builder, KDevelop, MSVJ++, JBuilder, Sun One Studio, gcc, CVS, Bugzilla, InstallShield Pro, Insure++, BoundsChecker, MS Project
Databases: MySQL, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, SQLite
Hardware: PCs, Sun, RS/6000, Routers, Switches, Firewalls, Network Access Servers
Systems: Linux, Solaris, SunOS, BSDi, AIX, System V, Windows, DOS, Mac, PalmOS
Networking: XML-RPC, SOAP, PPPoE, Radius, RAS, TCP/IP, QMail, Sendmail, Apache, IIS, DNS/BIND, Samba, DHCP, SSH, SNMP, HP Openview, Concord Network Health, Ethernet, Virtual Hosting, SSL, HTTP

Professional Experience

Senior Software Architect December 2002 - June 2004
Semaview, Inc Toronto, Ontario

Responsible for architecture and the leadership of the team that wrote eventSherpa, a networked desktop calendar application written in C#. It is capable of publishing calendars to the web, subscribing to online calendars, inviting people to events and merging multiple calendars into one view. Took the initiative to design and write a Palm Desktop plugin in my off time to allow publishing of Palm calendars and todo lists to the eventSherpa service.

Took the lead in documenting and managing all development processes for the company. Led the server development team in designing and building web systems to run the online eventSherpa service and SherpaFind calendar search engine. Determined all hardware requirements for the system and set up the network. Responsible for the security of the network.

Senior Programmer/Analyst October 2000 - November 2002
Livedoor, Inc Tokyo, Japan

Head of Client Programming for Japan's first and largest free Internet service provider, Worked closely with the CTO to map out the development plan for the company. Led a software development team of four C++ programmers on two continents and worked closely with the head of server programming to ensure the seamless integration of organization wide applications.
Fulfilled a broad range of responsibilities including supervision over the development of the company's Internet connection software and client tools such as their Internet Toolbar. Was responsible for converting the software to work with DSL using PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE), wrote custom authentication modules in Perl for the radius servers and designed and wrote several CGI's in C++ that allowed customers to create and manage their accounts. Was responsible for troubleshooting any network problems and service interruptions.

Senior Programmer/Analyst January 1999 - October 2000
X-Stream Technologies, Inc / LibertySurf UK Toronto, ON / London, England

Managed programming teams of three developers for a large, pan European ISP. Worked closely with the CTO and the head of server development to design scalable, efficient systems on which the company was built. Had a broad range of responsibilities including system design, documentation, writing client and server software in C/C++ that ran on Windows and Unix. Redesigned the company's automatic online software update system.
Led the internationalization of all the company's software allowing them to expand throughout Europe and sell their technology in Asia. In the process, I designed and wrote a library to allow software to dynamically load and display different languages. I also developed a number of internal tools to aid in the translation of the software.

Java Developer August 1998 - January 1999
Dreamplay Research Corporation Toronto, ON

Developed the company's line of Java casino software including Caribbean Stud Poker, baccarat, blackjack, video poker, roulette, and, slots. Was responsible for the development of the Java e-Commerce client pCash that plugged into all casino games and the back office financial reporting software written in a combination of C and Java.

Network Management January - May 1998
CIBC- INTRIA Networks Toronto, ON

A part of the team that planned and rolled out the national IP network linking all CIBC branches and locations. Set up and maintained web and FTP servers on NT 4.0, SunOS and Linux. Designed, created and maintained an Intranet site to catalog and deliver network design documents, project status reports and information on services the company offers. Created several CGI’s in Perl that automated network management reporting, uploaded and converted to HTML project status reports and allowed clients to register for services.

Technical Support Supervisor January - September 1997
Globalserve Communications Oakville, ON

As the head of Technical Support, supervised 10 sales and technical support representatives in a call center, developed a training program and trained 30 new technical support staff. Was also responsible for Unix system and TCP/IP network administration and development of system administration tools in C to allow support representatives to query status of users' accounts and of the network systems.

Military Experience 1987-96
Department of National Defense Victoria, BC/Petawawa, ON

During a ten year career with Canada's Department of National Defense, worked in Research, Combat Intelligence, and, served with the Canadian Airborne Regiment.

Open Source & Freeware Projects

Wrote and maintain the MySQL SDB driver on Sourceforge that provides a MySQL database backend for the BIND 9 Domain Name Server (DNS).

Developer on the iCalendar .NET Parser project that is used to convert RFC 2445 iCalendar files into RDF.

Contributer to the phpICalendar project, concentrating mainly on the PHP ICS parser and timezone support.
As head programmer for the 3D game Tour of Duty, coordinated the work of a distributed team of developers, 3D artists and level designers. Within a week of release the game hit many top ten lists. The game was featured by several large game magazines and web-based gaming news sites and won several Internet awards.
Ported the network socket code in the GNU Common C++ library to Windows and wrote much of the socket connection and DNS lookup code.
Added network support to the Linux UPS software package Genpower.
Wrote the first Linux Virtual Hosting mini-howto.
Designed, created and maintain several popular websites in PHP including www.commando.org and www.alteridem.net.
Wrote over a dozen free and shareware programs in C#, MSV C++, Borland C++ Builder, PHP, Perl and C for the PalmOS.

Volunteer Work

Editor and programming tutorial author, The Coding Collective. (2002)
Executive Committee, Toronto Section, Alpine Club of Canada. (1995-99)
Director and Head Instructor, Petawawa Indoor Rock Climbing Club. (1994-96)

Additional Courses, Seminars & Qualifications

Unix System Administration I & II
Data Communications for Technical Users
Local Area Networks for Technical Staff
TCP/IP Technical Concepts
Methods of Instruction (Taught me to teach any subject in a variety of settings)
Basic Officer Training Course (Leadership, management and administrative skills)
Held a Canadian Secret security clearance.

Languages:	C, C++, C#, Java, MFC, Win32 API, PHP, Perl, Python, XML, RDF, SQL, Unix Shell Scripts, COM, .NET, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Bash
Development Tools:	Visual C++, Borland C++ Builder, KDevelop, MSVJ++, JBuilder, Sun One Studio, gcc, CVS, Bugzilla, InstallShield Pro, Insure++, BoundsChecker, MS Project
Databases:	MySQL, Oracle, Access, PostgreSQL, SQLite
Hardware:	PCs, Sun, RS/6000, Routers, Switches, Firewalls, Network Access Servers
Systems:	Linux, Solaris, SunOS, BSDi, AIX, System V, Windows, DOS, Mac, PalmOS
Networking:	XML-RPC, SOAP, PPPoE, Radius, RAS, TCP/IP, QMail, Sendmail, Apache, IIS, DNS/BIND, Samba, DHCP, SSH, SNMP, HP Openview, Concord Network Health, Ethernet, Virtual Hosting, SSL, HTTP


Senior Software Architect	December 2002 - June 2004
Semaview, Inc	Toronto, Ontario
Responsible for architecture and the leadership of the team that wrote eventSherpa, a networked desktop calendar application written in C#. It is capable of publishing calendars to the web, subscribing to online calendars, inviting people to events and merging multiple calendars into one view. Took the initiative to design and write a Palm Desktop plugin in my off time to allow publishing of Palm calendars and todo lists to the eventSherpa service. Took the lead in documenting and managing all development processes for the company. Led the server development team in designing and building web systems to run the online eventSherpa service and SherpaFind calendar search engine. Determined all hardware requirements for the system and set up the network. Responsible for the security of the network.


Senior Programmer/Analyst	October 2000 - November 2002
Livedoor, Inc	Tokyo, Japan
Head of Client Programming for Japan's first and largest free Internet service provider, Worked closely with the CTO to map out the development plan for the company. Led a software development team of four C++ programmers on two continents and worked closely with the head of server programming to ensure the seamless integration of organization wide applications. Fulfilled a broad range of responsibilities including supervision over the development of the company's Internet connection software and client tools such as their Internet Toolbar. Was responsible for converting the software to work with DSL using PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE), wrote custom authentication modules in Perl for the radius servers and designed and wrote several CGI's in C++ that allowed customers to create and manage their accounts. Was responsible for troubleshooting any network problems and service interruptions.


Senior Programmer/Analyst	January 1999 - October 2000
X-Stream Technologies, Inc / LibertySurf UK	Toronto, ON / London, England
Managed programming teams of three developers for a large, pan European ISP. Worked closely with the CTO and the head of server development to design scalable, efficient systems on which the company was built. Had a broad range of responsibilities including system design, documentation, writing client and server software in C/C++ that ran on Windows and Unix. Redesigned the company's automatic online software update system. Led the internationalization of all the company's software allowing them to expand throughout Europe and sell their technology in Asia. In the process, I designed and wrote a library to allow software to dynamically load and display different languages. I also developed a number of internal tools to aid in the translation of the software.


Java Developer	August 1998 - January 1999
Dreamplay Research Corporation	Toronto, ON
Developed the company's line of Java casino software including Caribbean Stud Poker, baccarat, blackjack, video poker, roulette, and, slots. Was responsible for the development of the Java e-Commerce client pCash that plugged into all casino games and the back office financial reporting software written in a combination of C and Java.


Network Management	January - May 1998
CIBC- INTRIA Networks	Toronto, ON
A part of the team that planned and rolled out the national IP network linking all CIBC branches and locations. Set up and maintained web and FTP servers on NT 4.0, SunOS and Linux. Designed, created and maintained an Intranet site to catalog and deliver network design documents, project status reports and information on services the company offers. Created several CGI’s in Perl that automated network management reporting, uploaded and converted to HTML project status reports and allowed clients to register for services.


Technical Support Supervisor	January - September 1997
Globalserve Communications	Oakville, ON
As the head of Technical Support, supervised 10 sales and technical support representatives in a call center, developed a training program and trained 30 new technical support staff. Was also responsible for Unix system and TCP/IP network administration and development of system administration tools in C to allow support representatives to query status of users' accounts and of the network systems.


Military Experience	1987-96
Department of National Defense	Victoria, BC/Petawawa, ON
During a ten year career with Canada's Department of National Defense, worked in Research, Combat Intelligence, and, served with the Canadian Airborne Regiment.