Resume of
Timothy Barker
TBIT
1993 – Present (31 years)
How can one summarise 30 years of experience? My career in IT started in 1981. Because there was a dearth of either computer shops or indeed workers in this new field, one had no choice but to other than to do it yourself – the ultimate DIY IT experience. This allowed me to grow as the industry grew. I gained an unusual insight into the industry as a consequence. While this is helpful, sadly many skills have not made the transition with time. However, with the advent of CHAT GPT, I am finding that my earlier knowledge is of increasing value, as I can “eliminate” some false positives.
I also have had some experience with the medical field. I was responsible in all ways for the instigation, hardware, and software of our local GP’s two location practices… This was more problematic than usual, as the practices were on two different islands. Consequently, I arranged for a separate server (located in a separate building on Macleay Island) which could be accessed remotely by either the Macleay Island, Russell Island, or remote access by the Principal’s home PC or laptop. Similarly, I set up a Brisbane office and a satellite location at Stafford. Among all this, I continued to build websites and supply IT services to the public and businesses.
Some areas ( in no particular order ).
I originally chose to use NetObjects Fusion for website development. This was an excellent tool for creating the layout of any given project. As time passed, so did the requirements of an online presence. The industry changed as well. The newest application was now WordPress. So I had to upgrade to WordPress for Websites. With Scribus for editing and management of print media, I have the unique position of having my fingertips with the best in Open Source software. I prefer this, as so many other companies “require” you to use their “preferred” software. Of course, this is usually some alternative product that is expensive and not necessarily better than my own choices. I am familiar with pretty much all the ‘Big Name’ brands. Sooner or later, one has to check out all products, just in case…
Website design and implementation. MS Server 2003. SQL language, files, and applications. But the backup software and designing a fail-safe backup regimen (pre-cloud days.), Scheduled rotation of 2 copies of incremental backups and organising staff members to take home and always have a full backup at hand.
Of course, in today’s world. Usage of the cloud would be a no-brainer.
I have dabbled in several languages, including Dephi, C, and Pascal. Texas Instruments Super Extended basic.
Photoimpact (still available!), although I prefer this product to the ubiquitous Photoshop. A nice enough bit of software. But like all Adobe products, their way, or the highway. I can use it, but I’ll always look for an alternative. I suppose I should ‘bite the bullet’.
I dabbled in early relational database software. Specifically “Sensible Solutions“. I was 25 years old at the time and it must have been fate … But in the Christmas period, I asked Clive (the boss/Owner) what he wanted to do about the EOFY stocktaking horror. Similar to a hardware store, there are thousands of items to catalog. So, I could not do anything now, but I could use this opportunity to help “compturising“ his business. He was eventually convinced to buy a suitable computer. An early IBM PC compatible, complete with a green screen monitor. So it took me ages ( but I was 25 years old and very self-assured!) Mission successful. I ensured that the boss’s wife, who was the brains of the show, was well-versed in using their great new business system. I had on a later occasion to talk to my replacement, the system was still running well. Just as a point of interest, upon further consideration, I think I used my own PC. Kinda vague after so many decades. But I always had my own PC, since 1981!