Dan Rollins
3813 Arnell Pl
La Crescenta, CA91214
US / Daytime: 818.957.0097

http://www.DanRollins.com
C++/ MFC TopGun: Multi-talented Deadline Beater
TARGET PROJECT:
Looking for interesting and challenging software development in C++/MFC, COM/ATL, JavaScript, SQL, XML.
Will consider full-time, On-Site work and Off-Site programming contracts
SALARY:
$70K per year
SITE:
On-Site or
Off-Site (Telecommute with occasional on-site presence. Rich email contact for project coordination and milestone delivery.)
TARGET COMPANY:
Maker of cutting-edge software; OS utilities, Web applications, Financial apps, Communications apps
SIZE:
No Preference.
INDUSTRY:
Computers/Software
TARGET LOCATIONS:
US-CA-Los Angeles
Pasadena, Glendale
San Gabriel Valley
San Fernando Valley
/ EXPERIENCE
9/1/97 to Present / MERit Credit Systems / Glendora, CA
I have been employed at MERit Systems (and its parent, Tradewind Software) for over six years. During that time, I have worked on numerous projects for MERit and have also done concurrent outside programming for other software companies. This section shows a timeline for some of these projects.
Senior Programmer/ Project Manager: MCE CreditEngine
11/1/99-Present: I designed and created a low-level 'Engine' for obtaining consumer and business credit reports from national credit repositories (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). This lets third-party applications, such as mortgage management systems, credit unions, Internet lenders, etc. pull consumer credit reports in high volumes in a manner that is easy to integrate with existing systems. MCE supports several interfaces, including cross-platform 'filesystem drop-box', ActiveX/COM, and DLL API.
MCE is a high-end vertical-market application, selling for $22,000 per unit. MERit has sold more than a hundred units. My development and support efforts have netted the company over $2 Million.
Project challenges met:
* / Multi-threaded application
* / ActiveX/COM server interface using ATL and MFC
* / NT Service
* / Microsoft SQL Server database design and interface
* / TCP/IP and HTTPS connectivity for high volume access
* / Complex Tri-bureau merging design and implementation
* / Database access for HTML output of complex datasets
* / XML input and output for Web-based delivery
* / More -- see CREDITbase
Senior Programmer/ Project Leader: CREDITbase
7/1/96-Present (concurrent) CREDITbase is a user-oriented, interactive credit bureau access program that is the flagship product of MERIit Systems. I was instrumental in the original design, and had full responsibility for the complete redesign and implementation of the latest versions. The program includes communication via private dialup, TCP/ IP, Leased Line, and HTTPS access. It formats outgoing (inquiry) data to bureau specifications, then pulls data in System-to-System format, parses the (often complex) response, databases each field (Sybase and MS SQL Server), and generates a variety of credit reports.
Project Challenges Met:
* / Designed for ease of use (C++/ MFC)
* / Rich feature set
* / Communications via multiple channels
* / Technical expertise in consumer credit data layouts and system interfaces
* / Time management and self-motivation to single-handedly complete a major project on time
Senior Programmer/ Project Design: FlashCom
Rockwell Semiconductors / Newport Beach, CA (off-site consultant)
7/1/98 to 11/1/98 (concurrent): Flashcom was used to update modems from the V.34 (33.6K) to ITU.90 (56K) standard. It validated the modem, selected the correct flash code, and burned the flash memory on the modem.
This program was executed on more than 10 Million computers worldwide. It continues to be distributed by dozens of modem manufacturers. At the time, this was a mission- critical application for the world's largest modem chipset manufacturer. Rockwell trusted the design and development of this critical component and I delivered a flawless software product ahead of schedule.
Project Challenges Met:
* / Bullet-proof 'Wizard-style' user interface
* / Robust, failsafe operation for use by non-technical users
* / Low-level modem detection and flash-memory techniques
* / Tight time schedule included several related mission-critical projects for Rockwell
Consultant: CU-Card
Center for Financial Studies/San Dimas, CA
8/1/99 to 2/1/00 (concurrent) I wrote an automated loan decisioning system, based upon lender input and credit report data. This program calculates a risk score, based mainly upon data obtained from credit reports, with the factors weighted according to lender criteria. It stores the result for 6-month and 12-month review. The score model weightings are then modified in a self-improving feedback loop.
My successful completion of this project allowed CFS to maintain its existing customer base and to experience continued success in its core business.
Project Challenges Met:
* / Simple script handling so program can be easily modified for my client's many customers (mainly Credit Unions)
* / Network version featured file-locking for database integrity
Project Leader/ Senior Programmer: PCR
First American Credco / Poway, CA
4/1/99 to 6/1/99 (concurrent) Written for the Specialty Credit Products division of Credco, this program is used by lenders who wish to purchase or evaluate a large block of customers (a portfolio); for instance, all customers of 'Bank of Dallas' or all holders of 'Star Trek' MasterCards). It generates many useful statistics and uses Excel macros to graph the data.
The program takes consumer identifying data in one format and converts it to a form needed by credit bureaus. It then pulls the reports in System-to-System format, gathers statistics (without compromising individual rights protected by the FCRA), and generates graphical reports summarizing the data.
Project Challenges Met:
* / Credit bureau batch processing techniques
* / High Volume/Large Files: PCR often pulls 50,000 credit reports in a batch, yielding data files in the 1-2 GB range
* / Timely delivery: Credco insisted on an impossible delivery date, but I met it
4/1/96 to 9/1/97 / Tradewind Software / Glendora, CA
Programmer/ Analyst: COMitTalk
I designed and wrote a voice modem answering machine, voice mail, fax sender and recipient software package. This was a complete system for voice-capable modem based upon Rockwell chipsets, designed for the OEM market.
Project Challenges Met:
* / Windows Telephony (TAPI) expertise
* / Low-level hardware interface
* / Clean up and retool about 10,000 lines of legacy C++ code
* / Bi-level user interface: Simple mode and voice-mail administration mode
* / Windows Printer Driver DDK (fax output)
* / Image manipulation (fax deskew and noise cleanup)
5/1/87 to 1/1/91 / Symantec / Santa Monica, CA
Documentation Specialist/ Programmer
The Norton Guide to OS/2 was a documentation task, using the Norton Guide engine to present technical information for OS/2 programmers. It is notable because of its large size: I authored over 6MB of original text.
The Norton Programmer's Guide to the Mac was basically an on-line version of Apple's "Inside Macintosh". I designed and programmed the Guide Engine for the Mac, including the in-house compiler which converted RTF to a proprietary, compressed hypertext format (pre-HTML) and the Guide Viewer which ran on the Mac and the MacII.
I also wrote the context-sensitive online help for the Norton Utilities for the Mac and for the Norton Utilities version 4.0
1/1/86 to 6/1/93 / Flambeaux Software / Glendale, CA
Programmer/ Manager: xText and the Help! series
I developed hypertext systems for on-line help (long before HTML/ WWW Internet). xText was the underlying engine (compiler and viewer that I designed and coded) which used a system remarkably similar to today's HTML, but with minimal graphics support. DOSHelp! and TechHelp were textual databases that used the xText engine.
DOS Help! was marketed by Phoenix Technologies (among others).
xText was used as the on-line help system for Central Point Software and was licensed to Microsoft for inclusion in DOS 6.0 -- eventually residing on nearly 200 Million computers, worldwide.
Project Challenges Met:
* / Implementation of hypertext as a practical, marketable product (previously, hypertext was mainly an academic concept)
* / Code and data optimizations needed for speed and snappy response on then-common systems (4.77 MHz, 5MB hard disk)
Prior to 1985 / (details available upon request)
I spent time writing numerous articles for popular computing magazines and spent nearly one year writing a programming book. Iworked for two other employers in the computer industry as a documentation specialist and as a software developer. In my 'firstcareer,' I worked for eight years as a machinist.
PUBLICATIONS
07/84 / IBM PC: 8088 MACRO Assembler Programming / Macmillan (College Division)
01/79 - Present / Over 100 magazine articles, programming ASM, C/C++, BASIC / BYTE, Creative Computing, PCMagazine, various computer magazines
EDUCATION
01/00 / Mostly Self-Taught / La Crescenta, CAUSA
09/79 to 1/82 / Citrus College / Azusa, CAUSA
* Some part-time college - Data Processing major
My formal education was interrupted by full-time employment
in the computer industry and my freelance technical writing career.
1974 / Roy High School / Roy, UTUSA
* Graduated, Honor Society
SKILLS
Skill Name / Experience
Technical Docs / Specs / Writing of all kinds / 25 yrs.
C / C++ programming / 16 yrs.
Software System and UI Design / 15 yrs.
MFC / Win32 API / 8 yrs.
JavaScript / Jscript / 3 yrs.
Win NT/2K Server Admin / 3 yrs.
Ms SQL Server Programming / Admin / 4 yrs.
HHC (Hypertext Help Compiler) / 3 yrs.
COM / ATL / 2 yrs.
MEMBERSHIPS
1/1/00 to Present / Experts Exchange
experts-exchange.com / "Genius" level expert; # 1 in MFC section, top 15 in C++ section