Julian Thomas

More than 35 years experience in the design, planning, and analysis of complex computer systems, with emphasis on the development, evaluation, and coordination of solutions that cross subsystem boundaries. Extensive systems experience including MVS, AIX, VM, DOS and Windows, DCE (the OSF "Distributed Computing Environment"), OS/2, C language, REXX, HTML, and systems architecture. Avid PC user and programmer since 1987. Demonstrated management and technical leadership abilities. Innovative and creative problem solver. Effective communicator, able to explain complex concepts in understandable terms. Generalist with a wide range of experience and ability to learn new technologies rapidly.

I am seeking part time/contract work in areas such as (but not limited to):

• Web site creation (links on home page).
• Systems Architecture and design
• OS/2 assistance
• Rexx programming
• DCE

I am located in the Finger Lakes area of Central New York State.

1993 - present: Web Site Construction, Consultant and Teacher

• Built the web site (and participated in the design) for Learning on the Wing - a joint effort between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, this site offers information on wetlands, Osprey migration, and links to additional learning resources.
• Designed and built the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge web site as a volunteer project.
• Created several websites for clients, including a local winery; other links on home page.
• Architectural consulting for a 390 compatible systems developer.
• In association with the Institute for Advanced Professional Studies (Cambridge, Mass.), developed and taught a five-day course in programming DCE Distributed Applications.
  • Developed numerous sample applications and exercises for this course.
  • Conducted extensive review of DCE internal structure, other materials and development aids.

1990-93 Senior Engineer; IBM Enterprise Systems, Kingston.
Member of System Design and Architecture department, AIX/ESA development.

• Defined the Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) architecture and plan for the AIX/ESA operating system from initial stages until well into the development phase.
• Acted as technical owner of AIX/ESA planning manual. Interacted with the developers of most system components and reduced much technical detail to a summary form usable by technically unsophisticated users.
• Evaluated (as a member of a strategy design team) alternative cluster coupling designs with emphasis on cluster-wide access to data and files. Also analyzed compute-intensive applications for parallelization to determine data transfer requirements.
• Invented (with co-inventors) an improved MP Queue management instruction with deadlock avoidance. A patent application was filed.

1979-89 Senior Engineer, IBM Poughkeepsie.
3090 (XA, ESA) system design and architecture.

• Initiated design, architecture, and implementation plans for the ESA Sysplex Timer (ETR). Worked with engineers from several machine groups and functions as well as programmers, product planners, and marketing specialists. Reviewed the design with selected customers and sold the concept to management. Co-authored IBM Journal of Research & Development article describing this product.
• Developed high level system design for retrofit of Access Register Architecture (a key component of IBM's ESA Architecture) to a processor design that was well under way; this succeeded because of careful allocation of function between elements of the processor. Contributed to final definition of the architecture. This effort enabled IBM to announce, test, and deliver this function on an ambitious schedule. I received an IBM major achievement award for this work.
• Performed initial design studies and cryptographic analysis, developed high level system design, and participated in the architectural definition for the IBM Integrated Cryptographic Facility. Worked with a major customer to understand their requirements. Developed, in conjunction with a vendor, the specifications for a critical electromechanical component. The results of this effort, in addition to the product, included 5 patents.
• Made major contributions to the IBM Vector architecture definition, which enabled IBM to be a major contender in the high end scientific market.

1962-79 IBM Poughkeepsie
Engineering including System/360 and System/370.

• Accomplishments included development of system microcode and microcode development tools, studies in telephony and satellite communications, and engineering management.

1954-62
Various assignments at several companies in computer hardware and software design and development.

• Designed and wrote major systems programs including compiler sections and simulators in varying languages for different computer systems).

• PhD. requirements (except dissertation) completed: Harvard University.
• A. M. Harvard University 1957 (Applied Mathematics - Computer Science program)
• A. B. (cum laude) Harvard College 1954 (Mathematics)

• Eight patents issued or filed
• Co-Author of IBM Journal of Research and Development article [v 36 #4; July 1992] "Coordination of time-of-day clocks among multiple systems"
• Three IBM Invention Achievement and two IBM Outstanding Technical Achievement awards.
• 2001 - Received the Ruth Polson Community Service Award  from the Finger Lakes Library System for volunteer work in assisting several member libraries by developing and running programs to convert patron database records from one automation system to another.