Resume of Brent S.A. Cowgill, B.A.Sc
http://www.geocities.com/gurucoder
zardoz@infoserve.net
Objective:
A SOFTWARE DEVELOPER position with a project based
development firm which can benefit from my skills in
rapid problem resolution to reduce time to market and
provide high quality innovative products to
satisfied customers.
Background:
Nine years of software development experience including:
gathering user requirements, troubleshooting,
optimisation, developing web and GUI applications,
libraries and systems, database design and
quality assurance.
I am entitled to seek employment in the United Kingdom
under an ancestral work permit.
Field of Knowledge:
Software Development Platforms and Languages:
Perl/CGI
MFC C++
XML
HTML
Java Script
Visual Basic
Apache
mod_perl
MySQL
Oracle
PostgreSQL
Linux
Windows 95/NT/2K
Wise Installation
InstallSHIELD
Selected Achievements:
BUILT A CROSS-VENDOR DATABASE INTERFACE supporting five
major databases with automatic table structure updates.
Analysed database features; designed base class API;
implemented base and derived classes for each vendor;
wrote test scripts to verify identical operation across
all vendors.
Results: ENHANCED WEB CONTENT MANAGEMENT PRODUCT LINE
by enabling database support for all products.
IMPLEMENTED DATABASE PATCH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM for web
based applications.
Analysed features needed; designed a base class;
delegated and supervised implementation of core class
functionality; wrote a utility application to apply,
check, list and undo patches; installed and tested the
system on live and development databases.
Results: REDUCED COMPLEXITY and difficulties in
applying application code changes to live database.
Enable multiple developers to implement code and
database changes with safeguards for backing out
unstable changes.
DESIGNED ABSTRACT INTERFACE to enable use of third party
control in a GUI application.
Analysed requirements and designed objects to enable
different third party controls to be dropped into the
application with a minimum of effort.
Results: SAVED CONSIDERABLE TIME when original control
evaluated proved inadequate due to changing requirements
and a different control had to be used in its place.
RESOLVED SERIAL LINK DEFECTS found during integration test.
Examined protocol frames from control program; worked
with hardware engineer to analyse data received by the
micro-controller; located protocol error and
corrected it.
Results: Seamless system integration, no further
protocol errors.
REPAIRED OBSCURE AND INTERMITTENT DEFECT in client-server
database update.
Examined source code; added instrumentation code to
track program activities; analysed several hundred
megabytes of log files and discovered the source of
the defect.
Results: ENHANCED PERFORMANCE by allowing download of
40,000 listings instead of only 10,000 due to
time-out defect.
Education:
University of British Columbia:
B.A.Sc. degree obtained 1991
1986-1991 Engineering Physics (Electrical Option)
1995-1996 Federalism, Faculty of Law (Audit for interest)
Marks of Distinction:
Technical Speed Reader
Two National Science and Engineering Research Council
Research Awards
Five years service in Royal Canadian Artillery Cadets
(Master Warrant Officer)
Work Portfolio:
See samples of my work at http://www.geocities.com/gurucoder
Previous Projects:
2001 InteractiveTools.com
[http://www.interactivetools.com]
Software Developer
Perl, Web Development, MySQL, PostgreSQL Database, CVS,
Linux, Win2K
Implemented development processes to enable further
growth of the company.
Developed a web site search engine to add to the
existing product line.
Enhanced the entire product line by developing a
pop-in database layer.
2001 Interealty Corp.
[http://www.interealty.com]
Software Developer
MFC C++, VSS, Win2K
Maintenance of Realtor Workstation product line
purchased from GTE.
2000-2001 XRAYMEDIA.COM
[http://www.xraymedia.com]
Technology Manager and Lead Developer
Perl, Apache, Web Development, MySQL Database,
CVS, Linux
Supervised a team of developers, network analysts and
graphic artists to develop auction web site.
Created project plan to reconfigure six servers to
secure our systems and implement corporate web
based e-mail.
Implemented database patch management system.
Rewrote auction and built automated testing systems
to verify operation of the software.
Interviewed and hired additional
developer/system administrator.
Mentored a Windows/Access DBA in Perl/MySQL/CGI
programming. Supervised the development of automated
press release distribution system.
Assessed hardware and software needs and ensured same
acquired in a timely manner.
1999-2000 Clickhouse Online Inc.
[http://www.clickhouse.com]
Team Lead/Developer
Perl, Apache, Web Development, MySQL Database, Linux
Managed team of five developers for implementation
and testing of the application.
Implemented web based banner exchange and
advertising system.
Worked with marketing to implement account management
and marketing systems.
Mentored new members to make them a productive part
of the team.
Supervised implementation of defect
tracking software.
Develop web pages and code to handle the member and
account manager user interface.
Developed and maintained regression scripts during
implementation for building the database and
validating the database and application layer.
Developed migration scripts to transfer the data in
the existing banner exchange system to the
new system.
1998-1999 GTE Enterprise Solutions, Inc.
Software Developer
Microsoft Visual Basic, ActiveX Component Development,
Microsoft Active Database Objects, Wise Installation,
SQL Navigator, Rational Rose, Visio, Windows 95/NT
Responsible for new feature development for Multiple
Listing Service (MLS) database
administration program.
Worked in concert with an Oracle Developer to
implement major new features.
Developed ActiveX Controls used throughout
application to increase code re-use.
Developed test data generation system to enable
testing of application on client database, removing a
bottleneck in the Development/QA process.
Improved the install program and responsible for
creating and assembling application builds for
release to specific client sites.
Optimised application and queries to improve
performance by 60% in many cases.
Developed unit test plans for QA. Application user
interface was so well done, members of QA were
convinced it was developed in C++ and not
Visual Basic.
Completed major milestones and project deadlines on
or ahead of schedule.
1998 Riptide Technology, Inc.
Software Developer
Microsoft Visual C++, Windows NT Intel/Alpha
Helped with completion of Connecticut State Lottery
Internal Control System (ICS). The ICS consisted of a
suite of Win32 applications and NT Services which
processed Lottery transactions and calculated winner
pay outs.
Completed coding for day start processing on the
lottery database.
Coordinated with on-site team to fix bugs, rebuild
product and make FTP image available.
Designed application icons and GUI artwork for a more
professional look and feel.
1997-1998 GTE Enterprise Solutions, Inc.
Software Developer
Microsoft Visual C++, Windows 3.1 and 95/NT
Team development of new feature to allow uploading
images to database and modification of GIS
coordinates for Multiple Listing Service
(MLS) listings.
Implemented parts of the user interface and
coordinated with other team members to ensure
completion of the feature under the pressure of a
short deadline.
Integrated TWAIN scanner and Photo CD libraries into
product for acquiring images. Integrated ActiveX
controls into the product.
Optimised code achieving a 40% increase in
execution speed.
1995-1997 International Compu Research, Inc. In
partnership with UBC Faculty of Law
Software Developer
Borland C++, Borland C++ Builder, Microsoft Visual C++,
Install Shield, Perl, Windows 3.1 and 95
Performed competitive analysis of other legal
research products on the market.
Designed and implemented portions of the Windows user
interface program.
Developed a system to compress/encrypt and verify all
data on the product CD.
Developed a distributed client/server application to
automatically build the legal database.
Designed a custom bug reporting database system and
supervised software testers.
1995 BitMotion Software
Software Developer
Microsoft Visual C++, Perl, Windows 3.1
Development of an Environmental Law CD-ROM to run
under Windows.
Devised a parsing system to read documents and
generate an inter-linked document database.
Developed components of the program to load and view
the document database.
1994-1995 Seagate Software (Crystal Computer
Services, Inc.)
Quality Assurance Tester
Microsoft Test, Visual Basic, Perl, Windows 3.1
Performed quality assurance for a commercial report
writer for Windows.
Executed manual and scripted test procedures on
the product.
Responsible for building custom versions of the
software for OEM partners.
Developed a system to automatically create OEM
master diskettes.
1993-1994 Dynamotive Corp.
Software Developer
Borland C++, Intel 80KC196 C, Q-Basic, DOS
Developed host and embedded control program for a
patented spot welding process.
Worked closely with the design engineer in developing
the embedded controller.
1992-1993 Intersoft Development Corp.
Software Developer
Borland C++, Turbo Assembler, DOS
Developed a 3D point of view arcade/role playing game
for the IBM-PC platform.
Progressed from a team member to senior developer on
the team.
1991 University of British Columbia
Geophysics Department
Software Developer
Unix C
Developed software to control an AG7750 video tape
recorder interfaced to a Sun workstation.
(
geocities.com/gurucoder)