Resumé of Akkana Peck

Objective:

Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in Linux software development, from low-level systems and embedded devices to graphics and user interface programming and web development.
• Experienced technical writer and conference speaker: enjoys communicating technical subjects to a wide variety of audiences.
• Languages: Python, C and C++, JavaScript, Lisp/Scheme, some Java and PHP; shells (sh, bash, zsh, ksh, csh);
  past work in Perl, FORTRAN, Pascal and other languages.
• Platforms: Linux, including laptop optimization, servers, and embedded Linux devices such as Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone and Sheevaplugs;
  Android; Arduino; PDAs (PalmOS, Zaurus); some Mac OS X; assorted Unix (Solaris, Irix, HP/UX, A/UX).
• UI Toolkits: Gtk+, Qt, Motif, HTML, XUL, Android, and raw Xlib.
• Creative, flexible, and quick to learn.

Selected Accomplishments:

Senior Software Engineer, Ideascopic, Mountain View, CA, 9/2010 - 12/2011.

• Developed and maintained software in Python for embedded Linux-based sensors running unattended.
• Developed analytics and visualization software using Python, CouchDB and Javascript.
• Headed the company's Android development explorations.

Software Consultant and Independent Tech Writer 12/2005 - present.

• Developed web applications for various clients using Ruby on Rails, JavaScript and MySql.
• Regular tech columnist for Linux Planet.

Author, Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional, from Apress

• Second edition: 584 pp, January 2009, ISBN 978-1430210702.
• First edition: 507 pp, June 2006. ISBN 1-59059-587-4.
• A comprehensive and fully illustrated guide to the GNU Image Manipulation Program — the first book in the English language covering GIMP 2.

Senior Software Engineer, Netscape Communications, Mountain View, CA, 11/1996 - 2/2004.

• Key developer for the Linux/Unix version of the Mozilla browser:
  • Investigated and debugged OS-specific code.
  • Ensured interoperability with other Linux applications, in issues such as clipboard handling and file formats.
• Module owner and a core developer for the Mozilla Editor Project throughout the Mozilla 1.0/Netscape 6-7 releases, including:
  • HTML and plaintext output systems.
  • Linux/Unix key and mouse event and clipboard handling.
  • Mail editing.
  • Team lead for Linux issues.
• Spearheaded Mozilla's customizing effort, implementing customizable key bindings, CSS, and image animation controls, as well as accessibility features.
• Enhanced and maintained the Linux/Unix front end for the Netscape's Communicator 5.0 HTML editor, including table layout and interactive resizing code, scrolling, and assorted UI features.
• Contributed to mail and news handling within Netscape's Communicator 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 and 6.x projects, including IMAP, NNTP, search and filter, and html to plaintext conversions.

Unix Software Consultant, Sun Microsystems, Mountain View, CA, 12/95 - 11/96

• Developed tape backup and other system administration tools for the Netra NFS file server.

• Key contributor on IRIX 5.3 installation tools, inst and Software Manager.
• Developed C++ classes implementing network protocols, tape support, and HTML web support.
• Designed and wrote the command-line query programs showfiles and showprods.
• Conceived and implemented tardist, the first widely-used Web-based software installation program.
• Designed and implemented an HTTP-based protocol for installation of large software packages over the internet.
• Developed the user interface for SGI's first graphical installation tool, Software Manager.
• Contributed enhancements and bug fixes to SGI's enhanced Motif library.

• Developed the prototype server and client for one of the first commercial DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) packages.
• Designed a set of RARP- and BOOTP-based network protocols, and developed software implementing those protocols, for a self-administering Unix network, with automatic address allocation and communication of key network parameters among workstations on the network.
• Wrote a POP mail server and client.

• Designed and implemented algorithms for placement of circuit boards in a panel optimization CAM program.
• Created software for migrating customer-supplied printed circuit board data from an HP1000 to a Unix database, and to translate drill and rout data into machine-ready format.
• Developed software for Order Express II, a large printed circuit board manufacturing software system.

• QA engineer for Apple's MacX server and the A/UX X11R4 port. Tested usability and compliance with X11 protocols and with the ICCCM.

• Designed and implemented a suite of psychometric programs, developed under Unix and MS-DOS and targeted for handheld computers, intended to improve memory and other mental skills.

• Contributed to a SCSI driver for Regulus (a Unix variant) and RTM (a proprietary real-time Unix-like operating system).
• Worked on a Regulus port of the GNU C compiler.

• One of three heads (the "Tres Chix") of the world-wide LinuxChix organization to encourage women in Linux.
• Patches for open source projects such as the GIMP, gimp-print, XEphem, sitescooper, pilot-link, mailsync, offlineimap, gnome-print, gLabels, gtk, mutt, and QtX3.
• Conducted 10-week online courses for LinuxChix in GIMP and Beginning Python, as well as short courses such as an IRC GIMP course for Ubuntu User Days;
• PyTopo, Python software for navigating topographic maps.
• Fontasia, a tool for viewing and categorizing Linux fonts.
• Several GIMP plug-ins, such as Pandora for assembling panoramas, and Arrow Designer.
• A linux kernel /proc driver to recalculate bogomips on request for Speed-step processors.
• MUSED, a software package for the HP41 calculator for television music editors (used at Warner Brothers and CBS).
• A race handicapping program for the SCCA, used for scoring Pro Solo competition.
• See shallowsky.com/software for a more complete list.

Education:

Hobbies and Interests: