My name is Richard Mueller. I have a BS in Electrical Engineering, but most of my professional life has been in Information Technology - programming, computer support, network management, software deployment, and desktop configuration for a large electric utility. I supported interconnected Novell networks at 13 scattered sites for over a decade. One of my specialties was batch file programs and logon scripts to manage the network and the desktop.
Since 2000 I have been coding logon scripts and network administration programs using ADSI, VBScript, and VB for Windows networks with Active Directory. I help install, configure, and support a Windows 2003 network for a grade school. I also have learned a great deal participating in the Microsoft Newsgroups. I am constantly amazed at the different situations presented in the Newsgroups, and the knowledgeable people I encounter. In 2003 I was named by Microsoft as an MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for my participation in the newsgroups. I've been renamed in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
For the past several years I've worked with an affiliate on the development of a school lunch tracking program called PocketLunch (R). Designed to be an affordable solution for small to medium sized schools, this application can be used with a bar code scanner and a Pocket PC. Lunchroom personnel can scan barcodes identifying the student and menu items selected. Each transaction updates an account in PocketLunch. The application is coded in VB on the client and Embedded VB on the handheld computer. SQL Server is used for the database. For more information, go to:
My philosophy is that networks are more than computers connected with wires. In an enterprise environment a true network is one where users can logon from any machine and perform their jobs. A company should decide to upgrade software when there is sufficient payback in return for the cost, effort, and risk involved. It should not be to make my job as a support person easier. As a consultant, the only argument I can give to upgrade that a customer should listen to is that they will pay me less money to support them.
My experience is with networks connected over scattered sites, roving users with little computer experience, shift workers sharing computers, children that cannot be expected to read, and teachers that think the machine has a virus if they don't understand the message my program pops up.