This page is currently quite out of date since I started beefing up my Linux, Java, Eclipse, Apache, Python... skills
I have been working with COM (using Visual Basic) for six years now and have been involved in specification, design, construction, testing and marketing of the systems I work on. My recent work is more focused around making Visual Basic operate with other tools (C++, Oracle, ASP) in an n-tier HTTP based system.
As far as technical expertise goes I am very familiar with n-tier component-based rapid application development and feel comfortable training others in how to design reliable, efficient and maintainable systems.
The fight to keep pace with Microsoft's developments has led me to become familiar with all the tools in Windows DNA (except SNA Server) and I have developed systems using these tools. Obviously I'm running .net and reviewing it's strengths and weaknesses. Just like everyone else, I have been running Windows 2000 since Beta 1 and so am already comfortable with the nature of the beast. I've been running the four machine network at home on it since October 1999.
After watching the lack of reach achieved by Microsoft in non-Windows environments it has become clear to me that solutions need to take account of the standards defined by the W3C. This seems to be the only reliable way to deliver systems that will work in the future in more a more diverse world. To help me achieve this I have been moving my skills towards XML and CSS2 in the knowledge that I'll be able to use them with more certainty than any VBScript-based design. The work by Microsoft with the .NET architecture suggests there is some hope here, we'll just have to see how it pans out (notably the .NET Compact Framework is better than expected).
So, for the tick-list list of skills