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About Chin

Computers

I am a computerist or computernik, depending on which dictionary you refer to. A computerist is a person who works with or has a deep interest in computers. I've been working with computers since 1982 and continue to spend lots of time using and learning about computers and technology.

My first personal computer was a Commodore 64 with a 1541 disk drive and a 1701 color monitor. Remember those? Thanks Mom. I then graduated to Commodore Amiga 1000's and Amiga 2000's, which had a multitasking graphical user interface (GUI) operating system, AmigaDOS, that could multitask within 512K of RAM, way before multitasking was a twinkle in Microsoft's eye. I later started to use IBM PC compatible computers at work for database programming and networking.

These days, I use IBM compatible computers running Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows XP, Novell NetWare and Windows Server. I spend a lot of time using, configuring, troubleshooting, and exploring Microsoft Windows and Linux systems and networks and the applications that run on these systems.

Motorcycles

I own a Honda CBR600F4 that I use for the street and a Honda CBR600F4i that's fully race prepped and only sees racetrack duty.

Riding a motorcycle is lots of fun but, like anything else, you have to manage your risks. My friends and I always wear proper protection when we ride. e.g. a full face helmet, gloves, jacket (with armor), long pants and boots. Many people get road rash and sometimes more seriously hurt because they were not wearing a full face helmet and other proper protection when they crashed. And of course, when at the racetrack, I wear a fully armored racing suit, armored gloves, and race boots.

I usually go to the racetrack with Team Pro-Motion Sportsbike Club and NESBA several times each riding season.

This is a quick list of the courses/schools I've done to help me become a better, faster, safer motorcycle rider:

• Motorcycle Safety Foundation: Basic Rider Course (3 days)
• Motorcycle Safety Foundation: Experienced Rider Course (1 day)
• Penguin Roadracing School (2 days)
• CLASS Motorcycle Schools (1 day)
• California Superbike School: Level I (1 day)
• California Superbike School: Level II (1 day)
• California Superbike School: Level III (1 day)
• California Superbike School: Level IV (1 day)
• American Supercamp (2 days)

Have you taken any Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) courses (800-447-4700) ?
Please take at least one. Even if you've been riding for 20 years, you may learn important skills that could help you in an emergency situation. If you are new to riding motorcycles, what better way to get additional experience and learn some techniques that will make you a better rider and may even save your life.

MSF Courses are available in New York City at: Motorcycle Safety School and Trama's Motorcycle & Auto School.

I recommend the following books for learning valuable riding techniques:

• Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track: by Nick Ienatsch
• A Twist of the Wrist, Volume 2: The Basics of High-Performance Motorcycle Riding: by Keith Code

Roller Skating

I've been roller skating since 1981. I may try rollerblading, but quads are where it's at for me.

Music

I enjoy most types of music, especially Reggae, African, and a lot of what is considered World music. I also enjoy going to live performances.

On my "full-time" job I am a Network Engineer, Network Administrator, Computer Service Technician, Staff Development Trainer, and programmer. What all that means is that I do just about everything related to computers. Here's just a sample of what I do...

• Setup and troubleshoot computer systems and networks.
  Install Network Operating Systems (NOS) on servers (Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Novell NetWare 4.11 & 5.x, Red Hat Linux, Mac OS X Server).
  Proficient with NDS (Novell Directory Services) and AD (Microsoft's Active Directory).

• Setup and configure Ethernet and Token-Ring switches (Cisco & Intel), routers (Cisco, Linksys, D-Link) and wireless (802.11) hardware, and install network cables, etc.

• Setup and maintain a WAN connection to an IBM Mainframe using a CSU/DSU, 1174 Communication server and Microsoft SNA Server on a dedicated leased line.

• Designing and programming of relational client/server databases using Microsoft Access, MySQL and Visual Basic.

• Program static and dynamic Web sites using HTML, JavaScript, PHP, and MySQL running on Apache Web servers. I used to do it all by hand using the free Java based HTML editor, Arachnophilia, so that I can learn HTML with minimal hand holding. I then switched to using Dreamweaver in November of 2002.

• Of course, I have other skills and responsibilities, but I won't bore you any further. ;)

I've been an Instructor at the New York City College of Technology in the Computer Information Systems department since the Fall of 2003. I teach networking (LAN & WAN) and computer security.

I earned my Associates and Bachelors degrees from the New York City College of Technology in Computer Information Systems.

I am CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ certified.