A+Plus Solutions was started in the hopes of fulfilling
a longtime vision, that of "giving back". When I first
started in the high-tech industry I was faced with a seemingly
infinite variety of circuits and related information, the vast
majority of which I knew little or nothing about. As is often
the case for today's youth entering the field, I was ill-prepared
for all the facets of technology needed to become an "expert"
in my chosen area, that of Test Engineering. However, armed with
an insatiable curiosity and an overpowering desire to be great,
and Test Engineers have to be great by the way,
I forged ahead on the road to flame and misfortune. Even so, I
never let that slow me down, honestly. From early in my youth
I recognized that everything is related to everything in some
way or another, and made a conscious effort to recognize these
relationships as I learned the trade. Fortunately, I had some
excellent mentors, without whom I would have had a much more difficult
time indeed. They offered free advice and guidance constantly,
you know, like "...you idiot! That's not how
to do it!..." and other similar pearls of wisdom. However,
I never took it personally, instead I tried to listen and learn.
Now that I have moved entirely into the computer industry, I have
learned programming and systems integration, and have been involved
with process control systems for several years now.
So now it is my turn to help people. After nearly 25 years in
the industry I have amassed a wealth of seemingly unimportant
trivia pertaining to various aspects of technology, any and all
of which I will happily pass along to whomever.
But first, I would like to thank those who most influenced my
life in the high-tech industry...
Mr. John Holland
Back in the early 1970's I was living in Charlottesville, and John helped me learn circuit design.
I was a musician, and was fascinated by electronic music. I had mentioned to John that I thought it would
be cool to have a gadget that could make an electric guitar sound like it was playing "backwards", like on tape in reverse,
but from a live source. Well, John was off to have lunch. When he got back, he handed me a napkin, and scribbled
on it was a circuit schematic. He said "Try this. Maybe it will do what you want." So that night, as soon as I got
home, I began constructing the circuit. Well, it worked! Everyone who heard it work was amazed!
Of all the people willing to give me advice, John seemed to always have the right advice.
Thanks, John. You made it interesting to learn.
Mr. Norm Broadbent
Later in the 1970's, I fell into a position in an engineering lab, where high stability oscillators were being designed.
Actually, I walked in off the street, and asked about employment. I was told that there were no openings. However, before
letting the interviewer turn me loose, I asked him to look at some circuit boards I had designed and constructed at home.
He must have liked my work, because I was hired. Within a few months I was asked if I was interested in working in the
engineering lab. Norm was the engineer I worked for, and with. Being nothing less than brilliant, he helped me understand
how to design and test circuits. For all the times you yelled at me, thanks Norm, sincerely. I learned much from you.
Mr. Mark Giubardo
In the 80's I found myself working in Massachusetts, helping with the design of Automated Test Equipment for navigation systems.
That place was great, with a host of good people, all of whom deserve many thanks.
But of them all, Mark stood out as being a brilliant designer, and a great person to know.
Mark was always intense, in everything he did. But despite being very opinionated and very "quick to jump", Mark always was
able to be objective too. Sometimes he had to argue with himself to see things in perspective, but he did get there.
Mark had "the vision" that so many lack. And I was lucky enough to work directly with him, an experience which has
left a lasting impression on my life. Mark, thanks, thanks and thanks!!
The world needs a few more like you. Only not quite so hyper, maybe.
Mr. David Thornburg
Well, last but certainly not least is Dave Thornburg, a man who has influenced me since my early years.
When I was young, Dave was an amateur radio operator, a "ham", WA2KZV. That personal "license plate"
always impressed me, and I was amazed that he, or anyone, could so easily talk to people across the world,
people who were total strangers in fact. But they shared that bond. As time moved on, Dave got the call sign
N1HR, which I think stood for Number 1 Ham Radio. Dave often gave me very good tips regarding the
proper design of electronic circuits for real-world applications. He had a wide base of experience to draw upon,
and was a good teacher. That always impressed me, as I believe that teaching is both an art and a responsibility.
Everyone should be a teacher in some way, because we all have knowledge that can be helpful to others.
Dave was always a good role model, someone to look up to, someone to respect.
Though we have been separated geographically over the years, and now are two thirds
of a continent apart, Dave is in my thoughts often.
I have never quite figured out how, despite such good influence, I turned out the way that I did.
Dave, thanks so much for trying. Mom and Dad, I'm sorry I didn't turn out more like Dave, my brother.
I was always just too busy enjoying life. Oh well, at least I've got my priorities straight.
Mr. John Holland
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