After many years of developing training programs I decided to develop and market my own programming language, "Simulen," which allowed developers to simulate software applications for training purposes.  The extremely powerful system, not only cut development costs by 75%, it provided a way for students to get hands-on experience with a software package without actually owning the product.  This system was one of 10 recipients (from a pool of 650) of a $50,000 Technology Challenge Grant from the state of Maryland.


"Microsoft PowerPoint 97 Step-by-Step" was a Simulen-based training product created as a possible adjunct to the Microsoft Press series of training materials.  The program exactly copied the lessons taught in the original book, but in a software simulation.  The training for the first chapter of the book was approximately 30 minutes in duration and was produced in under 80 man-hours.


Another Simulen-based piece, "MS Office 97 - One Step at a Time" was created as a replacement for the existing software simulation that was bundled with the series of books.  Again, the program exactly copied the lessons taught in the original, but in a software simulation.  The training for the first chapter of the book was approximately 30 minutes in duration and was produced in under 80 man hours.


The Symantec Train system was developed to help internal and field personnel keep abreast of developments in the vast line of Symantec products.  Part training - part promotion, each month a different product was to be featured in a hands-on simulated environment, giving users the ability to "try-out" the software without actually having to go through the process of shipping and installing the product.  This piece was also created using INSYNC's Simulen programming language.


The "Interactive Exam Prep - Get Certified Now" piece was created for Perspection Press as a new companion product to their existing line of books.  It is another simulation-based Simulen product, but rather than a training system, it is a pre-certification testing system, designed to drill the student on skills required to pass on MS Certification tests.  Based on the existing Microsoft standards - it includeed a dynamic smart-menuing system with integrated scoring designed to help the student hone in on skills that required more practice.


Symantec View! - Is a modularized, kernel based, multimedia document delivery system which was developed for Symantec to assist their field personnel in maintaining an up-to-date inventory of product collateral.  The system was developed in Multimedia Toolbook and allows for dynamic updating so that materials can be added without programmer intervention, either locally or remotely utilizing Internet technologies.


The Ebrary DCP - Is an environment for viewing documents in a safe, secure environment, a way of letting users see the pages of a book without giving the entire book away.  My main role was the development and support of the Active-X/NSAPI browser plugin, the heart of the Ebrary DCP which allowed for the viewing of books, as well as searching, highlighting and annotating.  My developments on this project led to the submission of several patents for new technologies for solving complex problems in the DCP realm.

Cisco Systems - Video on Demand

For the Cisco Systems Video on Demand effort, I developed a web-based multi-media system for reproducing stand-up training via Intranet, utilizing Microsoft NetShow Services and custom coding in JavaScript & Visual c++.  The system allowed for simultaneous and synchronized display of video, slideshow and text components over the web with an integrated dynamic menuing system. My role included tools evaluation, needs analysis and actual development of the system.


The "Multimedia Origami Program"  was created as a speculative venture by DHR Technologies and included an object-oriented, dynamically assembled environment for teaching.  Included diagram, text, voice and integrated video elements and gave the student the option of changing all aspects of the system including paper color, background pattern and language.