Hi folks, this is the requisite first post of a new blog to tell you what to expect.
The reality is that you can expect anything: Personal Notes, Technical Documentation, Mobile Rants, Technology Reviews, Journalism Missives, or anything else I have in mind at the time. I decided to set up this blog so that I can talk — at length (i.e. not Twitter shortness) — about topics of import to me and perhaps others.
I’ve tried focused blogs in the past, but I keep abandoning them because I want to talk about other subjects. My goal is to blog more often based on things I read. That means I need an open blog with no forced subject matter. It’s going to be wide open.
Who am I? Well, you can read more about me in my resume or the summary page I created on my web site, but here’s a quick synopsis. I am a former newspaper journalist turned technologist turned software development manager. I’ve worked in print, online and mobile. I’m now managing software teams building cash automation tools. I’m a father, a husband, a brother, a son, a Christian, a Democrat and more.
As a crime reporter, I’ve borne witness to people who died in car wrecks, shootings and by lethal injection. As a son, I was at my mother’s side, holding her hand when she passed away from lung cancer. I’ve interviewed killers by phone, in person and in prison. I’ve travelled near and far to investigate the motives of those who killed. I’ve angered federal judges, pissed off local and state cops, and been threatened by a state judge, a doctor and local government officials.
I’ve also managed the development, deployment and maintenance of more than 400 mobile products for about 200 customers. Everything from J2ME apps for flip phones to iOS apps for iPhone and iPad to Android, Kindle and mobile web apps. I conducted the first live stream to mobile for a local TV station in the US. You could’ve watched that last one on your BlackBerry or Treo in 2007.
That’s enough for now. I hope you enjoy the blog.
Tom Rouillard