Benjamin Despres

80 Webster Ave  •  Bangor, ME 04401-5859  •  (207)990-6690  •  pla@users.tmok.com	

OBJECTIVE

	To secure a software development position that requires drawing on both my extensive background outside computer science and nearly a decade of experience working as a firmware engineer.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Freelance contracting • October 2001 to present

GTECH Corporation • West Greenwich, RI • June 1993 to October 2001

This job consisted primarily of C/C++ and assembler software engineering for both high and low level applications. Extensive cross-platform development occured, requiring an intimate knowledge of both common and embedded platforms.

	Major group projects included:
		•  Altura reader QNX-based proprietary CCD statistical analyzer
		•  ISYS and Comet barcode reader firmware support
		•  FastLane POS terminal development
		•  ALtura-II firmware development

	Notable solo projects included:
		•  Windows-based DVT for the Accutherm/8 and Axiohm 739 printer (VB)
		•  Embedded proprietary keyboard controller (68HC05 assembler)
		•  DOS-based keyboard and LCD (combined unit) emulator for the
   GTECH Comet POS terminal (C++)
		•  Production of an extremely small flash-based (DiskOnChip 2000) Linux
		   distribution including the 2.4.5 kernel, basic GNU-compatible utilities,
		   GLibC-2.1, minimal XFree86 4.1.0 support, and IBM's 1.1.8 JRE.

	Most significantly, acted as the project leader for the GTECH Linux Initiative,
	responsible for creating high-functionality custom Linux distributions to serve
	as the base platforms for three separate deliverables groups.

Stop & Shop • Coventry, RI • January 1993 to June 1993

SKILLS

•	Administration and use of MS-DOS, PalmOS, UNIX (Slackware Linux, Redhat Linux, FreeBSD), Windows 3.11, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, and Windows 2000.
•	Use of CP/M, MacOS (System 7), OpenVMS, UNIX (BSD, HP-UX, Irix, OSF, QNX, Solaris, SunOS, System V, Ultrix), and VxWorks.
•	Proficient at programming in 68HC05 assembler, 80x86 assembler, Bash script, Basic, C/C++, Tcl/Tk, and VisualBasic.
•	Familiar with programming in 680x0 assembler, CLIPS/JESS, Java, Lisp, Pascal, Scheme, and Zx80 assembler.
•	Competent with all common applications software and development suites for Microsoft Windows.
•	Detailed non-expert knowledge on the topics of anatomy, artificial intelligence, attention, behavior modification, biology, cognition, digital signal processing, learning, medical science, organic chemistry, perception, pharmacology, and neurophysiology.
•	Basic command of Esperanto, French, and Hebrew.

EDUCATION

University of Rhode Island • Kingston, RI • September 1997 to May 2000

	•  Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
	•  Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
	•  Minor in Mathematics
	•  GPA of 3.45 (High Honors)

Community College of Rhode Island • Warwick, RI • January 1995 to May 1997

	•  Associate of Arts in General Studies
	•  GPA of 3.815 (Highest Honors)

Coventry High School • Coventry, RI • September 1989 to June 1993

	•  Graduated
	•  1993 Rhode Island Distinguished Merit Scholar in Computer Science

CERTIFICATIONS

02/02/2001 -	Sair Linux and GNU Certified Administrator (LCA)

01/30/2001 -	Sair Linux and GNU Certified Professional (LCP)

12/03/2000 -	Essence of Herbalism Apprentice Program Certified Herbalist