John McFarlane's Portfolio

Below you'll find a few examples of my work over the years. I find that I am the happiest with my work when quality is the driver. This allows me to focus on things like standards, documentation, and security-minded development. I also enjoy automation and open communication among team members.
 
1. Rearden Commerce
Performance url resultsTdocsVoltage docsNinja server healthPitstop (hackathon)Ninja CouchDB databasesGourceGit
 
Led the Engineering tools team responsible for scm, performance, automation, and other assorted tools. Helped form a well rounded team recognized for innovation, collaboration, quality, and speed of iteration.
 
2. Thinkronize - Product redesign and rewrite
Nettrekker redesign/rewrite in PythonPython unit and doc testsPostgreSQL schema
 
Played a key role in the redesign and rewrite of the NetTrekker product. The updated software incorporates decoupling of interface and business logic, as well as improvements in speed and reliability.
 
3. Thinkronize - Tools to aid in productivity
Git repositorySubversion repositorySearchable IRC implemented using Tsearch2
 
Implemented various tools to aid in optimal developer productivity.
 
4. Apple and Apple Scripts
Unit testing, and Docstring verificationEpydoc documentationExample usage of Apple Scripts
 
All Purpose Python Library/Engine which aims to make common tasks a bit easier. Apple is released under the GPL license.
 
5. Photagious - Infrastructure
www.photagious.com
 
Helped design and build the current infrastructure of www.photagious.com, including a remote installation of Gentoo Linux in the New Orleans co-location facility. Continue to consult as their needs grow. Implemented Apple and Apple Scripts to aid in automation of system backups and maintenance.
 
6. CCHMC - Communication/Monitoring tools
Eggdrop managed irc chatDocumentation index with tag integrationDetailed, easy to read documentationMediaWikiNagiosSelenium
 
Implemented technologies to aid in communication among staff and assist with testing and monitoring.
 
7. Rockfloat - Creation, continuing infrastructure
www.rockfloat.comTag managementMatplotlib generated graphsTsearch2 based searches ordered by true rankW3C XHTML 1.0 complianceW3C XHTML 1.0 compliance
 
Rockfloat was created as a port from thinkflat (Sold to Infosys, NASDAQ: INFY). The porting involved a few enhancements such as: addition of tagging support to the discussion board, enhanced pocketchange reports, printable pages, support for the Apple project page(s). Public services continue to be provided (email, source control, and mentoring) for various individuals and groups. Recently hardened servers using PaX, GRSecurity, and the GCC Stack Smashing Protector.
 
8. Thinkflat - Site Redesign
www.thinkflat.comDiscussion boardFinancial manager
 
Converted the entire site from PHP to Python. Currently site features a discussion board, contact directory, financial manager, rss feed aggregator, general tools and howto documents.
 
9. CCHMC - Version Control System
SubversionViewcvs syntax hilighted codeViewcvs visual diffTortoiseSVN
 
Configured a version control system to maintain and protect both code and documentation.
 
10. CCHMC - Custom Documentation
Documentation indexDocumentation detailed example
 
Designed system documentation that's easy to read, maintain, and deploy. Initially the documentation was published using xsltproc, but it then proved easier to simply let the browser do the xml/xsl rendering.
Technologies Used:
 
11. CCHMC - Interface Monitors
Python based service running 24x7 on win32Detailed info allows staff to make smart decisions
 
Developed software to monitor interfaces developed by GE Medical Systems. The monitors run 24x7 and notify support staff via informative alpha pages in the event of a problem. They are written in python and run as windows services.
Technologies Used:
 
12. Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc. - Ecommerce
Ecommerce storeShopping cart
 
Built an ecommerce website allowing customers to view and order Clippard products. The Ecommerce engine featured live UPS shipping rates, automatic lead generation to Clippard distributors, and full featured shopping cart. The engine was secure using Secure Socket Layer technology.
 
13. Clippard Instument Laboratory, Inc. - Configurators
Cylinder configuratorProportional valve configuratorStem valve configurator
 
Built product configurator ("Build Your Own") engine(s) helping customers to pick from over 10k different products from an intuitive, easy to use interface. The "Build Your Own" interface also helps users spec out parts in the event that they are unfamiliar with how Clippard products could help them.
Technologies Used:
 
14. Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc. - Intranet
Issue trackerIntranet homepageManaged cross referenceCalibration tool to ensure high tolerancePersonnel toolsFinancial sales graphing
 
Built custom private intranet that helps personnel, engineering, sales, advertising, quality control, mis, and staff in general. The intranet includes an engine which ensures password/username synchronization among itself, an LDAP server and the email server.
 
15. Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc. - Backups
MRTG SNMP graphingCOM component to aid in single signon
 
Built server with high availability to perform automated backups and monitor network traffic. Currently the backup engine is automatically backing up 15 gigs of data from 4 different Windows servers every day. The backup images are quickly available to Windows or Linux clients using Windows explorer or ssh respectively. This server also plays an important role in the Password Management System by facilitating the communication between the intranet's COM+ objects and the email server's poppassd interface.
 
16. Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc. - Email Server
Virus graph per userVirus graph per day
 
Built custom email server capable of removing viruses and spam while having high availability and superb performance. Since the inception of this server, Clippard has had a 99.9% reduction in viruses on their private LAN. The server also effectively flags over 150 thousand spam emails per week (reaching 98% accuracy for some users.)
 
17. Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc. - Firewall
Built custom firewall protecting the Clippard network from external attacks and lessening its risk from internal attacks. The firewall also incorporates a vpn server to allow public access to the private network. The firewall also acts as a software router between two Clippard plant locations connected by a T1 circuit that sits behind the firewall.
 
18. Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc. - DNS/DHCP/WINS/LDAP Server(s)
Built custom "networking" servers to handle dns, wins, ldap and dhcp requests. Previously every node on the network was assigned a static, fully public ip address. By using dynamic dns and the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol against the newly created firewall, Clippard was able to utilize a fast, scalable, and secure network for the first time. A Windows Domain was created, and all desktop computers configured to authenticate against it. This update gave everyone in the company immediate access to the fileserver (after it was properly rebuilt and configured to use LDAP.) During this migration the company's payroll software was moved to a secure server using hardware raid 5 with high performance SCSI disks to ensure the safekeeping of financial data.
Technologies Used:
 
19. Thinkflat.com - Personal Site
www.thinkflat.comRSS feed aggregatorDiscussion boardHowto documentationLinux success stories
 
Thinkflat is the environment where I learn and develop new technology.
 
20. American Watch-Clockmakers Institute - Website
www.awi-net.orgAdminEcommerceUser directory
 
Developed website featuring web based interface, allowing AWI staff to maintain site text, pdf, and image content.
 
21. Cincinnati Museum Center - Website
www.cincymuseum.orgComplex graphical layoutTranslucent sitemapSite search
 
Developed highly graphical website using excellent graphics created by Katie Baker. Site was created while working for Sharkbytes.com.
Technologies Used:
 
22. Portmanpeople.com - Website
 
Developed website featuring resolution specific content. Graphics designed by Jennifer Wesolowski. Site was created while working for Sharkbytes.com.
Technologies Used:
 
23. Sharkbytes.com - Website
 
Developed company website while working for Sharkbytes.com. Graphics were created by Jennifer Wesolowski and Katie Baker; Layout designed by Ryan Walker.
Technologies Used:
FCGI/WSGI
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