I've been a professional software developer since 1988, when I joined Microsoft Corporation at the age of 17. I was one of the original developers of OS/2 1.1 and Windows NT, and did some of the early work on the Microsoft Network for the Microsoft Advanced Technology and Business Development group. Since then I've written software for everything from multiplayer casino games to railroad geometry measurement equipment. For my latest projects and musings on software development, visit his blog at smeans.com.