Torben Sorensen
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
ts@torbensorensen.com
SUMMARY
As a career web architect, programmer and systems administrator, I have worked with large organizations and small software startups, lead teams in designing complex interactive web-based portals, administrated servers and networks, and installed, configured and maintained systems. From starting programming on an Atari 400 in Basic and Assembly Language, to Java Client/Server applications exchanging SOAP messages over the Internet, I have the experience and skills to ensure the successful completion of any programming project.
Web Architect
  • 8+ years focus on web development, from requirements analysis and modeling, to server installation, to production-grade web applications.
  • Lead a team of 5 developers in creating an online portal for use in schools.
  • Held positions with management responsibility, including training, for up to 5 employees engaged in computer applications development, data center operations, engineering support, and related activities.
Programmer
  • 10+ years experience in software architecture, structured development, user interface design, documentation creation, and database design.
  • Java, Perl, Php, Python, C/C++, SQL, C#, Visual Basic, XML, Oracle, MySQL
System Administrator
  • 8+ years as a System Administrator, very knowledgeable on all major Operating Systems.
  • Installed and administrated Linux/Unix (many distributions, including Red Hat, Suse, Gentoo and FreeBSD), Sun Solaris, and Windows NT servers
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Self-Employed
April 2005 – Present
Contract Programmer / Developer
Currently I am contracting as a programmer / developer / architect. I have worked as a contractor for several companies, some of which are listed below:
  • PrivateJVclub.com – This site was completely revamped, to create a MVC Php site using Smarty templates, and the Zend controller package. In addition to the programming, I designed the database structure, created a lot of the graphics and CSS, and recently moved the entire site to a new server. (www.privatejvclub.com)
  • Captus Technologies – Performed a Java Client/Server poker gaming application configuration and installation for a testing environment, as well as system and procedure documentation. Also installed system monitoring software, and configured warning levels and output graphs. (www.captustech.com/)
  • Pro List Hosting – This Company runs a safe email advertisement delivery system to subscribed customers. I have been extensively reworking the applications, moving towards object oriented mod_perl from the original script Perl. As well I have performed maintenance and enhancements including a new payment processor, reworked the optimized database schema and simplified the entire application.
  • Timbre Restaurant - Designed the site's look and feel, created all the graphics, and programmed the site using PHP and MySQL, with an Administration area so the client can update food menus and events in the site quickly and easily (www.timbrerestaurant.com)
  • Bubble Action Pumps Ltd. - Did a complete site redesign, using PHP and MySQL, so that the customer can update the site with ease (www.bubbleactionpumps.com)
  • Zabbix Monitoring software
  •  
  • Java
  •  
  • FreeBSD + Gentoo Linux
  • Perl
  • PHP
  • MySQL

  • Red Hawk Gaming Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    May 2004 – March 2005
    C++ / Java Developer
    Red Hawk Games creates Electronic Gaming Machines for the Casino market. As a C++ and Java developer working as part of a team, we created a proxy application to allow this company’s games to communicate via XML/SOAP with other Vendor’s servers. This project allowed Red Hawk to place Gaming machines into several new markets that had previously been dominated by their competitors. Also, I went on several business trips to new casino locations to assist in installing these game machines and servers.
  • Windows 2000 Server
  •  
  • Java
  •  
  • Visual SourceSafe
  • Linux: Redhat + Gentoo
  • SOAP / XML
  • MySQL
  • Socket Programming • C / C++
  • Perl
  • Web Services

  • Self-Employed
    July 2001 - April 2004
    Contract Web Architect
    During these three years I was self-employed, contracting my web design and programming skills to several companies, in projects ranging from the simple single page website to Java/Oracle eCommerce sites.
    • Media Funding Corporation (www.mediafunding.com) provides financing for Infomercials in the United States. This company needed a new website developed that reflected this company’s long experience in the Infomercial Industry, as well as enabling new avenues of contact with prospective and current customers. This involved mostly graphic and HTML/JavaScript work, with a few Perl scripts for the online forms.
    • Merchant Finance Company (www.merchantfinanceco.com) assists restaurants and other small businesses with loans based on their credit-card volume. This company needed a new website designed that would operate as a front-end to those businesses, providing account information and status, as well as being an advertising vehicle to attract new customers. The solution was developed in Perl using a simple database.
    • Up and Running Studios is a small website company that needed additional website tools to help their customers make better use of their internet domains. I installed several free Linux applications, such as a Gallery, a website statistics tool, a blogging application, and forum software. As well I upgraded their servers from Redhat Linux to a more secure Gentoo Linux distribution, while maintaining all their customers’ websites and applications.
    • Andre Bieler Inc. (www.andrebieler.com) is a small artist-based company that needed an online database of the artworks, to assist in inventory and sales. The solution was developed in Mod_Perl with a MySQL database.
    • Rolling Oaks Enterprises (www.rollingoaks.net) provides financing for small to medium sized companies. They needed a website update, to reflect changes in the company.
    • Bubble Action Pumps Ltd. (www.bubbleactionpumps.com) makes solar-water-heating equipment. They needed a simple website to advertise their products, and provide customers with more information on their products.
    • World of Giving International (www.worldofgiving.com) is creating software to assist large companies in offering automatic charitable donations for their employees. This software had been designed in Java using an Oracle backend, however the documentation was sparse and the customer needed a full set of documents to continue forward. I created a full set of design specifications based on the current system, including Database Schema diagrams, Process Flow, Use Case analysis and Installation documents.

    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Oakland, California, USA
    Sept 2000 - June 2001
    Contract Programmer (Darwin Partners)
    In this position I was contracted to assist with the redesign of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Online financial web site from a Perl-centric design to a Java-centric design, as well as maintaining the existing Perl site. I coordinated efforts between my manager and several junior employees, and lead a team in rewriting the email notification system into Java, as well as several smaller projects relating to the day-to-day operations of this financial website.
  • Solaris
  •  
  • Java
  •  
  • Rational ClearCase
  • Sybase
  • PHP
  • Rational ClearQuest
  • OO Perl
  • Python

  • Ingenuity Works, Burnaby, BC, Canada
    July 1999 - August 2000
    Lead Programmer / Systems Analyst
    Ingenuity Works is creating a K-12 school web portal, with an expected user count above 600,000. I managed a team of 5 programmers, developed timelines, objectives, specifications, configured the Linux hardware and OS, set-up the Apache web server, designed the initial framework, assisted with the Oracle database set-up and configuration, programmed the first beta scripts, helped with the database design and maintenance, configured DNS, and installed systems to monitor the servers.
  • Team Lead
  •  
  • Perl
  •  
  • DNS install + configuration
  • Programmer
  • Apache
  • Firewall install + maintenance
  • System Analyst
  • Mod_Perl
  • Mason Content Management System
  • System Administrator
  • Oracle
  • Big Sister System Monitor
  • Windows/Unix/Linux
  • MySQL
  • BugZilla Defect Tracker

  • BCTel Interactive, Burnaby, BC, Canada
    December 1997 - June 1999
    Systems Analyst
    This position involved creating new form-based Perl and Cold Fusion programs, to meet the business needs of the company. I also assisted in documenting and organizing procedures and policies as pertained to programming. As well, I was one member of a team of six that was responsible for the 24/7 operations of 50+ servers running the Solaris, Linux, and Windows NT operating systems for over 100,000 ISP customers in BC.
  • Windows NT Server
  •  
  • TCP / IP problem-solving
  •  
  • Perl
  • Solaris
  • Netscape Web Server + IIS
  • Fast-CGI
  • Linux
  • SMTP / POP3
  • Cold Fusion
  • AS/400
  • DHCP
  • Unix Shells
  • Oracle

  • Ministry of Forests, TAS Branch, Victoria, BC, Canada
    December 1996 - June 1997
    Assistant Webmaster
    In this Co-op work term I served as the assistant webmaster for the branch responsible for distributing Ministry codes and practices. At the time the ministry was working to put all their handbooks and guides onto the Internet, and I was responsible for devising the HTML document standards, as well as converting manuals into HTML. As well, I made updates to the Branch website, researched internet technologies and developed small applications to assist in the day to day business processes.
  • Windows NT Server
  •  
  • Homesite HTML Editor
  • IIS (Internet Information Server)
  • Dreamweaver HTML Editor
  • HTML
  • MS Word Macros
  • SKILLS
    Programming Skills:
    Language Skill Level Last Used Experience
    Java Intermediate Currently Used 6 Years
    SQL Expert Currently Used 9 Years
    Perl Expert Currently Used 8 Years
    C Intermediate Currently Used 4 Years
    C++ Intermediate Currently Used 5 Years
    Shell Prog. Intermediate Currently Used 7 Years
    HTML Expert Currently Used 10 Years
    JavaScript Expert Currently Used 7 Years
    Visual Basic Expert 3 Years Ago 7 Years
    XML Expert Currently Used 5 Years
    Oracle (PL/SQL) Intermediate 3 Years Ago 4 Years
    Flash Intermediate 2 Years Ago 2 Years
    CSS Expert Currently Used 5 Years
    Cold Fusion Intermediate 2 Years Ago 3 Years
    Mod_Perl Intermediate Currently Used 4 Years
    PHP Expert Currently Used 5 Years
    Python Intermediate 1 Year Ago 2 Years
    ASP .NET Intermediate 2 Years Ago 3 Years
    Tcl Intermediate 2 Years Ago 2 Years
    Administration Skills:
    OS/DB Skill Level Last Used Experience
    Linux Expert Currently Used 7 Years
    Oracle Intermediate 3 Years ago 5 Years
    Win NT/IIS Intermediate 2 Years ago 4 Years
    Apache Intermediate Currently Used 6 Years
    MySQL Intermediate Currently Used 6 Years
    Solaris Intermediate 5 Years ago 3 Years
    Concept Skills:
    Skill Area Skill Level Last Used Experience
    Operating Systems Expert Currently Used 9 Years
    Interface Design Intermediate Currently Used 6 Years
    PC/Server Hardware Expert Currently Used 9 Years
    Networks Intermediate Currently Used 6 Years
    Project Planning Intermediate Currently Used 4 Years
    OO Design Intermediate 2 Years Ago 4 Years
    Team Management Intermediate 2 Years Ago 3 Years
           
    EDUCATION
    Camosun College, Victoria, BC, Canada
    September 1995 - December 1997
    Diploma, Computer Systems Technology
    Completed the Computer Technology Specialist Program at Camosun College. This involved 3 years study in programming (mostly C++ and Java), and systems design. This included 9 months of co-op work terms, split into three 3 month periods. I completed two work terms at the Ministry of Forests in Victoria at the TASB division as a webmaster responsible for maintaining and upgrading the Ministry's web-based documentation. My final work term was spent working at BC Tel Interactive for 3 months, which then became a full-time position.
    Sun Solaris Systems Administration, Levels I + II
    August 1999
    Completed the Sun Solaris Systems Administration course, which includes basic setup to advanced principles.


     








     

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