Web Site Login
^ September: Data Protection! ^
August Results: No Survey
[See All Surveys]
|
|
 |
People at Goldstar Software
Without people, Goldstar Software Inc. would be nothing more than
a name. It is the dedication of our people who make the company what it is today.
Bill Bach
President
BillBach@goldstarSPAMFREEsoftware.com
(Remove SPAMFREE to use this address.) |
 |
Bill is the cornerstone of the technical knowledge at Goldstar. He started working in text databases using AppleSoft
back in 1983 for a distribution warehouse. While studying at the Illinois Institute of Technology from 1986 to
1991, he helped to develop and extend the Educational Technology Center's computerized quizzing network, which
started out on an Apple/Corvus OmniNet and progressed (?) to a 1Mbps AT&T StarLAN network. Programming databases
then was done the oldfashioned way -- using flat files accessed from BASIC, C, and Assembler.
After leaving the ETC in 1991, he joined a company writing software for the printed circuit board manufacturing
industry. After a brief training period (getting handed the Btrieve 5.x Programmers Guide), he was off & writing
code accessing Btrieve -- and fell in love with the speed and ease of use.
Always the "knowledge bug", Bill strived to understand the workings of the server-based Btrieve and NetWare
SQL database engines, and quickly realized that without an understanding of the server (where's the familiar DOS
prompt?) that he would remain in the dark. Now, with a CNE3, CNE4, ECNE, Master CNE, and CNE5 certifications to
his credit, there is little in the NetWare environment that he can't handle. With the later stabilization (if you
can call it that) of Windows NT 4, Bill has worked on gaining the same level of knowledge about the Microsoft networking
products.
Of course, a thorough understanding of the DOS and Windows operating systems was required to understand the workings
of the client requesters, which play an important role in any client/server database configuration. Strangely,
though, it wasn't until learning the intricacies of the underlying network -- design rules, specifications, and
communications protocols -- that the final piece to the puzzle was put in place.
Bill worked as a software developer until 1995, and during that time also maintained the servers & networks,
helped found & lead the customer support "HelpLine" group, perform customer installations, and interfaced
with Novell, Btrieve Technologies, and Pervasive Software. This variety provided a wealth of experiences and background
that still helps him in situations today.
After leaving that company, Bill (and Mary Ann) almost moved to Austin TX to join Btrieve Technologies, but the
arrival of their son and the desire to remain close to their families convinced them to stay in the Chicago area.
Instead, he joined Terasys, a network consulting firm, as their Support Services Manager. Terasys was on the leading
edge of the NetWare 4.x curve, and much knowledge was gained from the work here as well. Bill again formalized
an IS group to maintain the in-house servers, implementing many software, hardware, & wiring upgrades in the
process. He also learned NetWare 4 in depth, and even provided several "QuickStart" seminars for Novell
covering NetWare 4.11 shortly after its release.
However, being a manager and working long hours was just not working out. After several months of working out a
plan to do something
(instead of just manage it), Mary Ann convinced Bill to do database consulting full-time -- definitely something
for which he will always be grateful, and Goldstar Software went from a part-time job to a full-time venture.
As President, Bill still handles IS duties, in addition to purchasing, sales, tech support, training and customer
site visits. The travel schedule is often gruelling, but each new site presents new problems to learn from. He
still maintains his coding skills by writing tools and other utilities, and he works closely with Pervasive on
many levels, a symbiotic relationship which has improved the standing of both companies over the years.
Bill has also achieved various certifications with Pervasive Software, including the Certified Pervasive Professional,
Certified Pervasive Developer, Certified Pervasive Technician, and Certified Pervasive Instructor.
Mary Ann Bach
Treasurer
MaryAnn@goldstarSPAMFREEsoftware.com
(Remove SPAMFREE to use this address.) |
 |
Mary Ann maintains the business side of Goldstar Software.
(More to come when we get her bio written!)
|
|
|