Jim Donovan

Information

Hey, if you are seeking information about Jim Donovan — in Vermont, New England, USA – a technology professional in enterprise software environments, for development, operations (DevOps) education, and/or SQL Server Development tools, Java, C++ and specifically Android or Embedded Systems development — I have retired, but you are in the right place. Here are a few items about me which you may like to know – this is my mini-bio summary:

I grew up in Vermont, in a small town just outside of Barre; I attended the University of Vermont, UVM – where my graduating class in Computer Science was 26 people; we all knew each other pretty well. I worked for Hewlett Packard right out of school. I moved to Colorado Springs just south of Denver for the first four years of my career. My wife is also a UVM’er and we met as undergraduates in Computer Science.

We raised our kids in Winchester, MA in the suburbs of Boston. We would visit family back in Vermont regularly; when the kids graduated from college we decided to move back to the green mountains. While living in the Boston area we started doing yoga regularly which helps keeps us centered. A yoga retreat, workshop, or festival every once in a while is a good thing. We also enjoy traveling and other expeditions to keep life interesting. Hanging out at home in Vermont usually feels as much the destination that many folks could only hope to reach -- and, we live in it every day.

A few other points I have learned on my life journey:

1. Solving engineering problems gives me a sense of accomplishment and pride. But, working with people to collectively solve problems is even better.
2. Especially rewarding is being recognized as the “go-to guy” in software development tools, for Agile/SCRUM software processes, and also with embedded systems; that’s what I’m good at.
3. The community around me is as important as the actual job and task assignments or even the company or organization.
4. My family is a top priority – that’s what really matters and is the reason for all the other life priorities.
5. As social beings it makes sense to use web based communication which provides an immediate and instinctive positive experience. (see the various links at right)
6. I like gadgets. Here’s a bunch of gadgets which have a processor built into them which really fascinate me:
   1. GPS, Navigation Systems – it makes sense that this technology has become ubiquitous.
   2. Cellular Networked Devices – cell phones, but even more so: iPhone, Android, or any 3G and LTE networked device – and, the applications which run on those devices.
   3. An Amazon Kindle – especially the fact that I use it exclusively for reading.
   4. The Amazon Echo, called Alexa – or similar home audio tool called Google Home -- both are amazing, and worth the risk of the hardware being able to constantly listen to you while you're at home.
   5. Palm – even though it has become obsolete and yeah certainly 'dates me', but I think the Palm and the original ELF strokes (for entering text into apps) were great. It changed the way we think of personal devices.
7. A few other personal interests and hobbies as were are retiremed and have more time for such things include travelling, yoga, theatre, music, walking, hiking, skiing, local history, Habitat for Humanity, and Red Cross Blood Donation.

If you still want to know more... please explore the links to the left and right. Or, better yet, contact me.