Behind the scenes of AndrewComeau.com ...
Andrew Comeau
For specific information on my work experience, please refer to my
on-line resume.
Technical Summary
My computer experience started during high school in the mid-80s when I taught myself
the BASIC programming language using one of the
old Tandy TRS-80 machines.
This gave me a head start on the college programming courses
that came a couple years later. In the years since, I've continued to add hardware
and software skills, mostly through experience and self-directed study. My
tech support experience started informally as part of some early jobs and I was
able to use this experience to eventually work my way into a full-time I.T. career.
In addition to support work, I continued with my interest in programming by learning
how to design database systems, first with Borland Paradox and
then with Microsoft
Access. My work with Access eventually covered areas such as
retail sales, production efficiency tracking, human resources and laboratory testing.
While I'm
still interested in computer technology in general, my focus is now on
computer programming which, over the past few years, has included experience
with tools such as Microsoft SQL Server and Visual Studio.NET.
Technical Support
In 2002, I accepted a long-term contract position as a computer support technician
for a local electric utility employing around 300 people. During a year and
a half at that company and another shorter assignment that followed, I was able
to use and build on experience with PC-compatible systems and the associated hardware.
I also helped to manage a company-wide rollout of new computer systems. This project
included upgrades of all users from Windows 98 to Windows XP, coordination
with other departments for upgrade scheduling and inventory tagging of new equipment.
Although my original focus was on software and programming, this experience helped
me to sharpen my skills in the installation and configuration of PC hardware including
printers, scanners and other peripherals. I also gained experience in network
user support.
Programming / Database Design
Microsoft Access / VBA
My first experience in Access was the design of a document control database to automate
the administration of a documentation system I was responsible for. During
this project, I built on previous experience with other desktop databases such as
Borland Paradox and
Alpha Four. I started with Access
2.0 and have worked with subsequent versions through Access 2007.
I soon found other uses for Access, worked with other departments and facilities
to develop new applications and continued to use Access after leaving that company
to build applications including retail sales and inventory management.
Visual Basic.NET / VB 6.0
After working with Microsoft Access for several years, I moved on to Visual Basic
6.0 and VB.NET while working as a Production Support Engineer providing support
for custom business software designed by the company's in-house Development team.
This gave me experience with object-oriented design and
the writing of efficient code. I also gained database experience with Microsoft
SQL Server as the back-end to many of the applications. After two years in
this position, I moved to the Development team and had the opportunity to work on
both team and solo projects which covered the entire software development cycle
from requirements gathering through deployment and support.
After participating in a couple of team development projects with VB.NET, I earned
my MCP certification by passing Microsoft exam
70-306: Developing and Implementing
Windows-based Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic.Net and Microsoft Visual
Studio.Net
SQL Server
Since 2005, I've been working with Microsoft SQL Server as part of programming and
application support. This experience includes analysis and writing of optimized
stored procedures, both individually and as part of multi-step jobs, for the support
and design of business applications.
Website Authoring
This site is a continuation of
Drewslair.com which was first designed in March 2000 as a personal site to showcase my interests including writing and photography.
Drewslair.com was later redesigned to give it a more professional focus. The
current purpose of both sites is to serve as my professional voice on the Internet
and to share the knowledge that I've gained with others who are interested in learning
more about programming.
While Drewslair.com was been designed and managed using Microsoft FrontPage, this
site is a redesign of the Drewslair.com content using Microsoft Visual Studio 2005
and ASP.NET. Both sites are currently hosted by
3Essentials.com.
Personal
In addition to computers and technology,
I
also enjoy reading, listening to a wide selection of music and, over the years,
I've also played around with photography and cooking.
I've been interested in becoming a writer since I was a kid and feel fortunate to
live in a time when the Internet has expanded the opportunities for this beyond
anything we've seen before. I enjoy almost all aspects of writing except for
the agonizing effort that it takes to get started on a project.
If there's anything else you would like to know, you're welcome to e-mail me the
questions at
acomeau@drewslair.com.
Andrew Comeau
Ocala, Florida
February 2010