Geoff Franklin

Recent Experience

I have spent the past thirteen years as an independent database developer and database trainer specialising in Microsoft FoxPro and Microsoft Access.

Development Work

Some of our projects are extensions to existing software and must follow the conventions of that work; others are new and can take full advantage of the latest object-orientated tools and techniques. Some projects are my sole responsibility; in others I form a project team, and in others I work with as part of the client's IT team.

Training

Production and presentation of training courses. Some courses are to train users on custom-built systems; others are to train developers and users on packaged software such as FoxPro, Access, Excel, and Crystal Reports. I present courses at all levels and most are modified to suit the delegates' backgrounds and requirements; a group from a life insurance company does not want to work through exercises based on manufacturing stock control.

Some courses are presented directly to our own clients, others are given on behalf of commercial training companies. Few companies keep expertise in house for specialist topics and I act as the database expert for a number of local and national training companies.

Employment History

1993 .. Alvechurch Data Ltd, Alvechurch

Complete software life cycle from the analysis of requirements through to delivery and support.
Training of programming and operational staff.
Writing and production of training manuals.

2001 .. Open University, Birmingham

Tutor on M150 - First Year 'Introduction to Computing'
Moderator on TT281 - Intermediate 'Web Application Development'
Tutor on M358 - Third Year 'Relational Databases'
Telephone and on-line support to students and the presentation of regular tutorials to classes of between five and twenty students.

1985 .. 93 British Cast Iron Research Association, Alvechurch

Manager, Product Development Group
Supervising a team of six programmers and technicians
Developing special-purpose equipment and software
Administering Accounts, Library, and Membership databases

1978..85 GEC Turbine Generators, Rugby

Control System Engineer
Designing and testing systems to start and run power stations
Simulating the performance of power station systems
Collecting performance data to validate simulation models

1976..78 Royal Corps of Naval Constructors, HM Dockyard, Rosyth

Reactor Engineer
Tracking and controlling the storage of reactor components

Professional Development

2006 Open University

M874 Java

2003 .. 2005 LANTRA

Training as an on-line tutor for the LearnDirect scheme.

2001 .. Open University

Training and Tutoring skills under the ALDAP scheme.

2000..01 Solihull College, Solihull

Study towards Microsoft Certified System Developer

1993..05 Microsoft Developers User Group

Use and integration of Microsoft tools

1989..90 Open University

M355 Software Engineering

1983..84 Aston University, Birmingham

MSc Control & Computing

1972..76 UWIST, Cardiff

BEng Mechanical Engineering
1st Class Honours

Professional Qualifications

• Member British Computer Society MBCS
• Chartered Information Systems Engineer CEng
• Microsoft Certified Professional MCP

Publications

• Technical Editor, Problem Solving with Visual Basic, Mosaic Media Inc, Addison, Illinois. USA
• Contributor, FoxTalk, Pinnacle Publishing, Roswell, Georgia. USA
• Book reviewer, The Computer Bulletin, British Computer Society
• Editor, BCS Birmingham Newsletter.
• Contributor and MVP on FoxPro and Access forums on Tek-Tips

Other interests and activities

• A 1976 VW camper. The bus is easy to maintain and fun to drive - you very rarely see an unhappy person driving a bus.
• We have a large garden surrounded by trees. Managing these keeps us in firewood and growing a few fruit trees and vegetables helps improve our suburban diet.
• Bell ringer at St Laurence, Alvechurch and member of the North Worcestershire Ringing Association. Ringing is very good exercise and you can't worry about computers when you have a half-ton of bell metal on the end of a rope. The team work of ringing also makes a nice change after a solitary day at the keyboard. More details at the St Laurence site.