Peter Seebach

Summary

I'm a UNIX guru, C language lawyer, and all-purpose computer guy. I'm also: A voting member of ISO C committee from 1996 to 2005. The moderator of the comp.lang.c.moderated Usenet group. A quick learner. Not afraid of debugging, maintenance, and documentation. Comfortable in half a dozen programming languages, and able to learn new ones easily. An efficient, dedicated, worker. And, most importantly, looking for work that gives me a chance to learn new skills and work with interesting people. I am currently seeking day-job type employment. I will discuss specific projects, but NO RECRUITERS. Will not move, will not work in an office on a regular basis.

Relevant Skills

Objectives

Relevant Professional Experience

Freelance Consulting

Independent consultant (1990-2007)

• Seventeen years of consulting on Unix-like systems, with a strong preference for Open Source systems (mostly BSD and Linux)
• Brought NetBSD up on the TAMS 3011 single-board computer.
• Read Redboot code to figure out how to drive the 3011.
• Documented Linux shared library architecture.
• Reverse-engineered, and documented, embedded Linux installs on a variety of systems.
• Developed robust embedded wireless application on Soekris 4521, using BSD.
• Wrote detailed article on setting up Pebble Linux as an access point on the 4521.
• Picked up new languages and environments on short notice.
• Built custom eCos application including complete curses port.
• Debugged problems for other consultants.
• Identified and fixed bug in IBM's Cell architecture math library.
• Developed CGI applications in a variety of languages.
• Wrote articles on diverse technical topics, from processor architecture to web design.
• Made deadlines, or provided advance warning of schedule problems.
• Advised clients on backup strategies and practices.
• Kept most projects on time and under budget.

Wind River Systems

Engineer (2001-2003)

• Added BSD/OS kernel and library features.
• Debugged BSD/OS SMP kernel issues.
• Wrote the majority of the Programmer's Guide for BSD/OS 5.0.
• Tracked, isolated, and fixed bugs.
• Administered systems while regular sysadmin was out.

BSDi

Member of Technical Staff (1997-2001)

• Added small convenience features to kernel.
• Updated 802.11b wireless driver to support new chipsets.
• Resolved user problems with C compiler and tool chain.
• Borrowed features from Open Source systems, and contributed some back.
• Tracked, isolated, and sometimes fixed bugs.
• Fixed malfunctioning computers.
• Back-up system administration work.
• Provided technical support.

Spanlink Communications

Programmer (1997)

• Debugged anything that was too weird for anyone else to debug.
• Wrote modules and tools for reuse by other team members.
• Promoted adoption of Open Source tools.
• Did presentations on programming and CGI.
• Wrote specifications for modules.

Xerox (Intran Operations)

Technical Support Consultant (1994-1997)

• Developed tools to simplify installation process.
• Used and integrated Open Source tools.
• Developed complete GUI application for sorting and browsing image files.
• Isolated and fixed bugs.
• Provided technical support to naive users.
• Guided naive end-users through SunOS install.
• Helped system adminstrator with backups and other tasks.
• Reviewed and updated documentation.

Central Engineering

Consultant (1993-1994)

• Debugged operating system problems for customers.
• Enhanced performance of older programs.
• Isolated bugs.
• Tested software.
• Got better performance out of Kermit.

Relevant Professional Service

ISO C Standards Committee (Voting Member) (1996-present)

• Standardized C language.
• Drafted improved language to clarify standard.
• Resolved defect reports against C standard.

IOCCC (Judge) (1998-present)

• Evaluated code in precisely the wrong terms.
• Actually understood most of the entries.

Moderator, comp.lang.c.moderated (1995-present:)

• Moderated Usenet group for the C programming language.

Relevant Publications

C Unleashed (2000)

• Wrote chapter on C99 standard.
• Wrote chapter on recursion.

Hacker FAQ (1995-present)

• A guide to hackers – now translated into five other languages.
• Not about people who break into computers.

Infrequently Asked Questions on comp.lang.c (1995-present)

• A parody of the comp.lang.c FAQ.
• Posted on April Fools' Day in 1995

IBM developerWorks (2001-present)

• Wrote articles about issues ranging from component systems to user privacy.
• Wrote introductory guide to Cell architecture compiler and SDK.
• Many articles on Linux and Open Source development practices.
• Articles on embedded systems.
• Cell architecture bringup guides, SDK introductions, explanations of compiler architecture, and more.
• Picked up any technology an editor wanted an article on.

Janitor (2002)

• Award-winning Interactive Fiction game - won 5th place in IfComp 2002.
• Co-written with my friend Kevin Lynn.