Jim's Home Page

About Me

I'm an engineering manager and lead software engineer with a little company called deCarta, best known as the software behind most of the preeminent digital mapping and direction services. I specialize in map translation software (which is of interest to absolutely nobody outside of where I work). I'm also a hard-core philatelist, for what that's worth.

Support These Groups!

• The Electronic Frontier Foundation - "Defending Freedom in the Digital World". They do good work.
• The American Civil Liberties Union - "Defending the Bill of Rights". People tend to get put off by them, because they defend extremists and people that espouse some pretty nasty opinions. But civil rights are for everyone, not just "the good people".
• The Duke Lemur Center. They actively study and work to preserve endangered primate species in Madagascar. These species aren't in danger because they're not viable - in fact, they're very viable. They're in danger because people actively destroy their habitats, and in some cases, actively hunt them down. This is a hands-on, effective conservation facility that deserves to be supported.
• Sunnyvale Community Services. Local community services at their most effective.

Quotes to Live By

When it shall be said in any country in the world, my poor are happy; neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them; my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars, the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive; the rational world is my friend, because I am the friend of its happiness: when these things can be said, then may that country boast its constitution and its government. - Thomas Paine, Rights of Man

Principles only mean something if you stick to them when they're inconvenient - The Contender

Decisions are made by those who show up. - The West Wing