G'Day my name is Peter and I have Multiple Sclerosis and this has changed my life in all sorts of areas. This, or these 'hubs' are a place I can collect tales that I have collected during my lifes' journey.

Topics covered here, or what seem distant memories fall into a diverse group of categories. These include:

• 20 Years in Information Technology.
• The changes in Technology.
• Working for the reseller channel.
• Working for Vendors. (Compaq, Netscape)
• Major Projects. (ANZ, BP, RAAF, Australian Federal Government)
• Roadie for Rock'nRoll Band.
• Karate instructor.
  
• Hotel Bouncer.
• Volunteer - Lions Club: Charter Member, President, Zone Chairman
• Panty Catcher (a chapter all of its' own!)
  

Information Technology ("I.T.").

I found myself settling in I.T. after working in retail shoes and the motor vehicle industry. For some reason I found I.T. easy and lots of fun and always interesting.

I remember fondly sitting in a classroom type environment learning what Visicalc was and how to use it. Lotus 123 was new, there was no Microsoft Windows and a dial-up speed when using an Accoustic Coupler at 300 baud was more than adequate.

A 5mb (megabyte) Hard Disk was contained in an external box, and retailed for A$4000. Most systems used 5.25" Single sided floppy disks, although "serious systems" used 8" Disk Drives and disks.

CP/M and Unix was mainstream, and dos was on the horizon. OS/2 was years off, yet OS9 was available and offereed multi-user and multi tasking support.

I saw an opportunity to grow within I.T. and moved through different sectors along my way, I often say, "Hardware, Software, Underware - it can all be too expensive if it doesn't fit just right." I spent time in hardware, software, communications and integration which saw me involved early in some wonderful projects.I also believe that it as much about "people" as it is about the technology.

I have worked with a range of emerging technologies. Pre "PC" - saw the release of: IBM PC, PC Jr, IBM PC Jx, PC AT, Apple IIe, Apple IIc, Apple Mac, Apple Mac Plus, Apple Lisa, 10Net, 3Com Networking, Novell Netware, BSD Unix, Xenix (etc.),

I worked with lots of software: Desktop Publishing (when it was unheard of), Word Processing very early on, and a range of Database solutions (including DataEase which I was the Australian Distributor for).

Employment.

Before joining the mainstream Reseller channel by invitation in 1988 I was running my own consulting company. As I already had contract customers and unfinished projects, I started with HiSoft Computers (Channel Reseller) as a "consultant" rather than an employee. This worked well, and I remained working on this basis.

After HiSoft suddenly and unexpectedly went into Receivership, I secured a contract with IBM Australia to complete a RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) Project that was based on a solution of my own design. This saw me complete the entire project "on time" and "inside the budget".

The WSLM Project.

Involved moving existing staff to each of the support bases for each RAAF Aircraft. RAAF Base Amberley (F111), RAAF Base Williamtown (FA18 Hornet), RAAF Base Richmond (Hercules), RAAF Base Edinburgh (Orion). The design linked all the bases together via a pseudo Virtual Private Network (before the Internet was readily available). It also included: new computer rooms at each base, Novell networks, connectivity to IBM Risc/6000 Unix systems, a selection of Defense Department hosts, some based in Canberra, some in Melbourne.... Compression bridges, 10BaseT hubs and cable design at each base, office system software, office automation etc.

This project took me to places to see things not in the public eye. James Bond type stuff, fun memories.

Then re-joining mainstream "I.T."

a couple of consultancy roles around town: Wang, IBM, DEC, then:

Compaq Australia >>

Netscape Australia >>

Consultancies at: various mainstream corporate solution providers.

AANX .. .>>

WORK IN PROGRESS