Who is Jon Box?

<Updated 3/8/2008 with Architect Journal article and Linked In tag>

Whenever I start a new blog or see someone else start one, I like the first post to be an introduction - you know, the "why would someone care about thoughts from this person" type of start. 

My career is pretty simple to explain. I started my first programming job on the PC doing COBOL, even before AT's arrived - like 1985. Then I got into installing networks and even pulling wire, before Netware was a big name. Then more COBOL positions doing accounting applications on DOS, XENIX, and UNIX. Then got into Clipper for several years in the food distribution area - still on DOS and Novell networks. This job provided me with mainframe experience as well as assembler. Then got into Windows development working for a videoconferencing company doing C++/ATL, COM/DCOM, and leading the development of control system applications built on Windows. Then went to the MS partner world where I had stints with Quilogy and then Protech Systems Group. Then on to Microsoft.

I've been at Microsoft for 4 years in DPE, which is Developer & Platform Evangelism. It's one of the best groups to work in. My role is titled Architect Evangelist, and the job is to assist architects in understanding what Microsoft is doing in the architecture space.  It's a great gig and I work with a fantastic team of hard working, team oriented, results driven folks.

Below is some background on my past several years.

Previous Blogs:

• https://radio.weblogs.com/0126569
• https://jonbox.dotnetdevelopersjournal.com

Writing

• Architect Journal
  • Connected Consumer Experience in Automobiles (JAN 2008)
• Book
  • Building Solutions with the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework: Architecture and Best Practices, Addison Wesley, 2004, co-authored with Dan Fox
• MSDN
  • Introduction to P/Invoke and Marshalling on the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework
  • Advanced P/Invoke on the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework
  • Developing Well Performing .NET Compact Framework Applications
  • Plus other articles with Dan Fox
• .NET Developers Journal
  • formerly on the Editorial Board and was the Mobility Editor
  • Mobile Accessibility: Technology and Tools - Part 1
  • Mobile Accessibility: Technology and Tools - Part 2
  • Securing .NET Compact Framework Solutions
  • Packaging and Deploying .NET Compact Framework Solutions
  • Have PDA, Will Travel
  • Questions and Answers on the .NET Compact Framework
  • Tablet Enable Your Windows Application Without Changing the Code
  • Windows Mobile Version 5.0 Revealed
  • Mobility Focus Issue: What Is Mobility?
  • plus others
• Technical Reviewer
  • An Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming with Visual Basic .NET
  • Beginning Object-Oriented Programming with VB 2005: From Novice to Professional

Other Community Involvement

• Co-founded the Memphis .NET User Group
• Was a member of the Regional Directors program
• Was an MVP
• Was on the INETA Speakers Bureau
• Spoke at TechEd, DevDays, and other community events
• Guest on .NET Rocks, plus Carl had me one on the first .NET Rocks Movie
• Much of this happened due to my employment at Quilogy, working there with Dan Fox, Dave Wanta, and Ron Hostetter in a special training and consulting group called Atomic

Personal Facts

• 25+ years of software development and IT experience

• 41 years old

• Born and raised in Memphis, TN

• Attended ECS and University of Memphis

• Married for 25 years

• Three sons - 23, 17, and 9

• Fan of baseball

  • St. Louis Cardinals
  • Oldest son played college baseball at Dyersburg State, and recently graduated from the US Marine Corp
  • Middle son plays baseball at ECS
  • Coached competitive baseball and basketball more years than I can count
  • Recently started coaching my youngest son's recreation team

Facebook: Jon's Profile