Technical Support Specialist at Equinox Software
Greater Atlanta Area
- Current
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- Technical Support Specialist at Equinox Software
- Crossword Puzzle Constructor (Self-employed)
- Past
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- Consultant at Alpha-G Consulting, LLC
- Library Software Consultant, J. Willard Marriott Library at University of Utah
- Technologist (Systems Librarian) at Tampa Bay Library Consortium
- Contributing Writer at everything2.com
- Graduate Assistant at University of South Florida
- CIRCA Computer Lab Operator at University of Florida
- Education
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- University of South Florida
- University of Florida
- Miami Springs Senior High
- Recommended
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14 people have recommended Ben - Connections
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150
connections
- Industry
- Information Technology and Services
- Websites
Ben Ostrowsky’s Summary
As a systems librarian, I've written a web application that generates a PDF of barcode stickers that can be printed out on standard labels. I've also created a number of site-specific web applications, cloned a REST service and modified it to be more locally relevant, and generally tried to put technology into the service of my clients.
I also wrote "Quiet Revolution" (a news article on Open Source in libraries) for Newsforge and "Anonymous Library Cards Allow You to Wonder, 'Who Was That Masked Patron?'" for Computers In Libraries.
Ben Ostrowsky’s Specialties:
Evergreen open-source library automation system, Web programming (XSLT; Ajax; JavaScript; Perl; PHP; MySQL; XHTML), network monitoring and security, systems administration (Windows; Red Hat Enterprise Linux and other Unix systems), Dynix and Horizon library management systems, photography, blogging (culture; technology; ethics), Wikis (Wikipedia; PBWiki; Socialtext), social networking sites, and translating geekspeak to English
Ben Ostrowsky’s Experience
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Technical Support Specialist
Equinox Software
(Information Technology and Services industry)
April 2009 — Present (4 months)
I solve problems for users of Evergreen, the open integrated library system, and contribute to its improvement.
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Crossword Puzzle Constructor
Self-employed
(Self-Employed; Myself Only; Entertainment industry)
February 2002 — Present (7 years 6 months)
I have created crossword puzzles that have appeared in trade journals, syndicate newspapers and online.
"The U*N*A*B*A*S*H*E*D Librarian" regularly publishes puzzles I create for them, with library and literature themes. -
Consultant
Alpha-G Consulting, LLC
(Information Technology and Services industry)
2007 — April 2009 (2 years)
I helped clients solve library-related technology problems. Sure, that's a broad description, but it has to be.
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Library Software Consultant, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)
October 2007 — December 2008 (1 year 3 months)
I led an investigation of how Evergreen can meet the library’s needs, installed and configured the Evergreen open-source library automation system, and submitted a full report to the Utah State Library. The technical side of this work included tuning PostgreSQL on an Ubuntu Linux server, localizing the web catalog using CSS and custom graphics, and migrating 2.6 million bibliographic records from SirsiDynix Horizon to the Evergreen test database. I did this work online and by phone while living in Atlanta.
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Technologist (Systems Librarian)
Tampa Bay Library Consortium
(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Libraries industry)
May 1998 — September 2007 (9 years 5 months)
"Ensures that the technology which is the basis for Sunline, the WAN, telecommunications, the Intranet and the office LAN is able to do the required jobs, is operational and is providing connectivity. As part of the technology team, plans, recommends and implements upgrades to automation systems. Responsible for security and disaster planning and execution of plans if needed. Primary technical person for Sunline and is designated as expert level leader for the Public Access modules of Sunline."
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Contributing Writer
everything2.com
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Information Services industry)
May 1999 — July 2003 (4 years 3 months)
At Everything2.com, I wrote nearly 1,000 articles on a broad variety of subjects, about 900 of which are still on the site. I ranked as an "Archivist" and was regarded (algorithmically, at least) as one of the site's best contributors.
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Graduate Assistant
University of South Florida
(Educational Institution; 5001-10,000 employees; Higher Education industry)
September 1996 — May 1998 (1 year 9 months)
Managed two labs of PCs used by students and faculty. Provided technical support for professors and students at all skill levels. Managed the Novell 3.x server and network.
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CIRCA Computer Lab Operator
University of Florida
(Educational Institution; Research industry)
1994 — 1995 (1 year)
I helped users of a VAX minicomputer cluster figure out how to use dumb terminals, operated a huge and noisy line printer, and maintained a semblance of order in student PC and Mac labs.
Ben Ostrowsky’s Education
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University of South Florida
MA , Library and Information Science , September 1996 — May 1998
Straight As except for one B (in library management).
- Activities and Societies:
- Beta Phi Mu, ALA Student Chapter
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University of Florida
BA , Linguistics , August 1992 — June 1996
GRE scores (1996):
800 verbal
800 quantitative
770 analytical- Activities and Societies:
- VAX Unlimited
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Miami Springs Senior High
August 1988 — May 1992
- Activities and Societies:
- Mu Alpha Theta, Newspaper, Chorus
Additional Information
Ben Ostrowsky’s Websites:
Ben Ostrowsky’s Interests:
learning new skills, explaining technology, advocating for an open culture, contributing to the creative commons, photography
Ben Ostrowsky’s Groups:
Customers of Dynix Inc. (CODI), Beta Phi Mu
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code4lib
Ben Ostrowsky’s Honors:
Certified Dynix System Administrator
Ben Ostrowsky’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
