On Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 12:24 PM, John Taber <jtaber(a)plandecsys.com> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I run a strategic planning consulting company (city/traffic/land
development) using intelligent systems that I have developed over the years.
I also run a company that will be shortly launching a web service for the
above. Have a wide range of experience especially throughout the
transportation industry.
I'm also an adjunct professor and looks like I'll be teaching some entry
level and AI courses this year.
Been running Linux since 1998 and switched our company to it full time in
2000. Find it lame when most companies (especially big ones) say they can't
or it's so difficult to make the switch. Albeit there's a few exceptions -
engrs use Autocad - but even some of those firms are using Samba with RH
servers.
I do our web development now in Python (but also speak Ruby/Rails, PHP, Java
). All our graphics are in SVG and I am a strong advocate of SVG. We use
Inkscape a lot so I help out each year at SCALE with the Inkscape project
and give presentations on it at user groups.
I also evangelize Linux/Open Source where ever I go. I keep reminding
customers why they need open source (choice of options, features (like built
in pdf, cd burning, backups, ....) upgrades, tech support). At hotels when
I see business people struggling - I tell them about how we run on Linux and
how they can too - then I suggest a dual boot system and give them a CD. At
a bookstore I got a college student running OpenOffice on her Mac when I
overheard her complaining about cost - a week later she was thrilled and
telling her friends.
Active with several local user groups (Utah Open Source, Python, Ruby, PHP).
I hope to work with Fedora on college student initiatives - maybe act as
some sort of Faculty advisor. I also hope to make more presentations to
business groups on open source. Maybe coordinate CIO/CTO breakfasts,
whatever.
--
John Taber, Ph.D.
PlanDecSys, Inc.
1501 South Loop 288 S.104
Denton, TX 76205
940-206-9763
Welcome John!