about joeware

The term "joeware" was originally coined by friends of mine who gave the name to a variety of utilities that I tended to create at a moment's notice to help solve technical issues. You often hear something isn't possible on Windows and in reality the issue is more often a lacking in the available tools. Microsoft has been notoriously bad about supplying good tools to help manage and retrieve information from Windows. I was fortunate enough to start my computer career writing code and when I later switched to being an administrator, that code writing skill came in more handy than ever because I could write tools when necessary to do things other administrators couldn't do because they were dependent on what others had produced.

In 2001 I decided to make the term more "official" and started the www.joeware.net website. I had been posting many of my utilities on personal web pages for several years but as I moved from internet provider to internet provider the utilities were moved and my "customers" had issues re-finding where the tools had been moved to since web search wasn't what it is now. It was only logical to register the name and set up the website. 

mission statement

I strive to produce tools that make life easier, more secure, and hopefully in some way nicer for myself and Windows administrators. I also push for new ideas and ways of looking at things. Maintaining the status quo is no way to make progress...

about joe

I am a consultant / admin / tool writer who happens to have a secret identity as a Microsoft MVP for Windows Server Directory Services. By day I work for a large unnamed tech company and by night I sleep. Somewhere in between I take time to chat with people on email lists and newsgroups, write about stuff I know, and whip up various fairly useful tools.

So what is a Microsoft MVP? A Microsoft MVP is a person who has been awarded by Microsoft for being a knowledgeable technology expert who makes themselves available to help the community as whole. I was initially awarded in 2001 and have been awarded every year since for my experience and assistance with Windows Server. My "specialty", if you will, is Directory Services. But I have minors in Security and Active Directory / Windows programming.

There are several benefits of being an MVP but don't be under the misunderstanding that we are paid like employees or are directed to be cheerleaders for Microsoft. First off, this pay would suck if I thought I was an employee versus a volunteer. Second off, you probably don't know anyone as harsh on Microsoft about their mistakes as some of the MVPs are. Many of us like being MVPs due to the ties we get into Microsoft to point out issues and we don't cut MS any slack. We beat on them quite a bit but tend to do it in more constructive ways than whining in various public forums about how billg is evil and Microsoft is trying to control the world. We see an issue, we investigate it and forward it on to Microsoft. If they don't take it seriously, we keep beating on them until they do or we decide we were wrong.

want to read more about joe?

You can read a more informal, hopefully humorous, and of course long-winded description of joe here.

resume

You can check out my resume here.

 

 

CFO and Chairman of the Board