Robert Hook

Introduction

Robert Hook is an information technology professional with over years experience in the industry. Based in South East Queensland, he has been involved in a wide variety of projects that have required and fostered a broad and comprehensive skill set.

Robert‘s main skills revolve around the design, construction and maintenance of large information systems based around relational databases, primarily in a Unix environment, along with the design, construction and maintenance of web-based information systems, frequently backed by a database. Many of the systems he has been involved with have been based around Ingres, and he has considerable experience as an Ingres database designer and administrator. In recent years he has been largely occupied with the design and construction of sophisticated Web Services and Web Applications written in Java using J2EE1.4 and J2EE1.5 paradigms and approaches.

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Personal

Why does Robert describe himself as a part-time polymath?

“It’s mainly word-play, but it was one way to indicate that my interests are wide and varied. I am a voracious and omnivorous reader, and that pattern extends through my other interests in fine arts and music.

Although I’m an avid technophile, particularly regarding Macintosh systems, most of my leisure time is taken up by my deep interests in things medieval. I am involved in 15th century Living History and historical re-enactment activities, and am seriously studying renaissance fencing.

I have tried my hand at everything from sword fighting in armour to hand sewing and making shoes. I am a past president of the Richard IIIrd Society, and was treasurer of the Queensland Living History Federation for several years. I am significantly involved in the organisation of the annual Abbey Medieval Festival on behalf of the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology.

I am a keen amateur musician, playing recorders, cornameuse and saxophone, and have dabbled with painting, although most of my artistic endeavours now revolve around digital images. When not busy with these, you can find me in my workshop working with wood.”

Skills

Highly competent

Java, Struts, JBoss, NetBeans, JBuilder, JSP, J2EE Web Services, C, C++, Ingres ABF, XML, XHTML & HTML,CSS, MUMPS, Unix, Systems Analysis and Design, Data Analysis, Database Analysis and Design, Ingres Database Administration, Technical Writing, Team Leadership, Systems Maintenance, Systems Programming, Source and Document control processes, Product Release processes, Quality Assurance systems, Training, and Mentoring, Web design and construction.

Competent

XSL/XSLT, UML, Design Patterns, JavaScript, MySql administration, Basic, Fortran, Pascal, AppleScript, dBase III+/Clipper, CGI Scripting, Unix Systems Administration, Project Management, Image preparation for Web presentation.

Familiar with

Objective-C, Forth, Assembly language programming, Linux Systems Administration, Carbon and Cocoa programming for Mac OS X.

Technical Interests and Aspirations

Robert is greatly interested in the issues associated with the management of large and complex information systems, particularly data integrity, security and privacy. He is also particularly interested in user interface design and in adopting new technologies to present legacy information stores.

He greatly enjoys working with various Java-based techniques for delivering interactive content and services through the Web, leveraging the power of open-source and open-standards products and XML solutions.

Experience

November 2007 –
From November 2007 HPA became part of Salmat, but Robert’s role within the organisation remained the same.
October 2003 – November 2007
Hermes Precisa Australia. Analyst/Programmer – R&D. Responsible for the design and development of various internal software products, particularly oriented around Java-based web services.
December 1998 - August 2003
Queensland Police Service, Information Systems Branch. Database administration. Responsible for planning and implement upgrade of Ingres 2.0 to Ingres II across the enterprise. Database design and analysis. Design and implementation of large scale data conversion and cleansing strategies, processes and tools. Design and implementation of Database Administration tools and processes.
October 1995 - December 1998
Qld Department of Natural Resources, IVAS, IVASe, LGIP projects. Database design and analysis. Design, implementation and maintenance of IVAS system maintenance tool set. Tool and system design and implementation for data acquisition phase of LGIP project.
June 1989 - October 1995
Pine Rivers Shire Council. Senior Analyst/Programmer, Database Administrator. Responsible for design and maintenance of broad range of administration and financial systems.
January 1988 - April 1989
Shannon Robertson Systems.Programmer, PC technical support
January 1987 - December 1987
Queensland Department of Education, Secondary School Teacher—Mathematics and Science. Robert remains a registered teacher.

Personal

Why does Robert describe himself as a part-time polymath?

“It’s mainly word-play, but it was one way to indicate that my interests are wide and varied. I am a voracious and omnivorous reader, and that pattern extends through my other interests in fine arts and music.

Although I’m an avid technophile, particularly regarding Macintosh systems, most of my leisure time is taken up by my deep interests in things medieval. Robyn and I are both members of the Richard IIIrd Society, which provides an intellectual focus for our interest in medieval history, and I am involved in 15th century Living History and historical re-enactment activities. This has led me to try my hand at everything from sword fighting in armour to hand sewing and making shoes.

I am a keen amateur musician, playing recorders and saxophone, and have dabbled with painting, although most of my artistic endeavours now revolve around digital images.”

Robert is married and has no children, but does share the house with a very spoilt cat.