Doug Smith has been involved with IBM midrange data processing in the Houston area since 1982. He has performed a wide variety of software development and maintenance projects for a wide variety of companies from small locally owned businesses to Global 500 enterprises. He is a graduate of Florida State University, and while his preference is to develop applications using the Java language, he is currently engaged in a project to de-commission a major legacy AS/400 application.

April 14, 2005 - "Personal Development in an Age of Uncertainty"

    We are usually open to new ideas in software development but often leave our career management to chance. Ask yourself this question: If Congress were to pass a law making it illegal to maintain AS/400 RPG/COBOL applications, what would you do? Become an underground RPG hacker?  Get training in another language or platform? Move up into management, or move over into network administration?  Would you chuck the whole scene and get a real estate license, or open a bed and breakfast near Austin?

The free market economy brings benefits but it also brings dislocation.  Let's explore the situation, the options, and discuss some ideas for starting or re-starting a personal development plan.

April 13, 2006 - "What do Users want?"

    We think users are as fascinated by the wonderful technology of the System i5 as we are, but we couldn't be more wrong. Users don't care about our beloved box, with it's robust operating system, integrated database, business language, legacy code or best of breed package applications. Doug Smith will present a list of 8 things users really want, and asks the hard questions of how well we are meeting their needs today and offers specific recommendations on improving our customers "SOI" (Satisfaction On Investment).