Professional David

Jack of Some Trades, Master of Some

I have done many things and would hate to pigeon hole myself into one career. I would much prefer to think of myself as a Renaissance man, but then again, who wouldn't?

I started a career in technology over ten years ago, working as a technologist for the School of Fine Arts and Department of Theatre and Drama at Indiana University. From there, I went into the business world at a little startup in San Francisco called Dimension X. Dimension X had the good fortune of being acquired by Microsoft before the "dot com crash." That was my good fortune as well.

From there, I chose my own road instead of Bill G's. Never looked back. Always remember, "Those who abandon their dreams will discourage yours."

For many years, I ran my own software development start up, Vervet Logic developing tools for the Extensible Markup Language (XML). Vervet was indeed a labor of love, and I poured my heart and soul into the company, as did my business partner, Ken. Vervet produced some fine software before selling off the shop.

After Vervet, I made a leap back to my roots, and started a production company in Chicago called Radio Ridge Productions. We were a high-end production house which specialized in corporate pieces, mostly for agencies. We always tried to balance our corporate work with helping the indie film scene in Chicago.

Eventually, I left Radio Ridge in the hands of my partners, and have gone back to academia. I'm currently back in academic computing at very well regarded business school in the Chicago area. I very much enjoy the work and the people. It's a nice place to be. However, in the evening, I am a law student at the Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Oh yeah, I also occasionally write books for Macmillan Computer Publishing (now Pearson Education) and their many imprints. I've written the Netscape Server Survival Guide, Creating Web Applets with Java, and Special Edition: Using Dynamic HTML, Complete Idiot's Guide to XML, Special Edition: Using XML (Editor) and Special Edition: Using XML Schemas. I've also written numerous articles and contributed to too many titles to mention.

If you are so inclined, you may check out my gratuitous self promotion.

Last updated on February 24, 2008