Stuffleufagus

My name is Rob La Gesse. This is my personal blog, and has no connection with any business interests I have (investments, consulting, etc).

I have over 25 years experience in the computer industry from computer sales, to writing shareware, running a public BBS, managing a large Software Quality Assurance team, and managing a global Customer Support organization.

Occasionally I enjoy writing my thoughts or opinions, and this is the place I normally do that.

I am currently interested in the Social Aspects of the Internet - everything from blogging to tagging to widgets and gadgets. I am extremely interested in personal privacy issues, including Terms of Use policies, DRM technologies, etc. I am interested in how these new trends can be applied to real world businesses.

I do some programming in Ruby on Rails, PHP, and Visual Basic - although I haven’t considered myself a programmer for over a decade. I just like to stay current enough with technologies that I can have intelligent conversations with programmers.

I manage development teams in the US, and in many foreign countries. By using a wide variety of development teams I can pick the team with the best price/performance for my client (depending on development technology, etc).

I have been a Mayor (in Hawaii). I have written wildly successful shareware software. I have managed employees all over the world.

I have designed floor plans for an office of 45+ and managed the build-out of the space. I have done contracting and leasing. I have both given testimony in Intellectual Property Cases and filed my own patents.

I have managed developers, QA, customer support, contractors, technical writers, and designers. I have managed converting applications to 17 foreign languages.

Clients I have been responsible for include Dell, HP, Compaq, Microsoft, Cisco, TiVo, Symbol and many others.

I have been involved in 11 startups.

I have also done roofing, repaired high end print-shop equipment, been a Neonatal Respiratory Therapist, done CPR in a boat, on a plane, and in a hardware store (and of course in hospitals).

I have treated jumpers from the Golden Gate Bridge - and helped save a few. I have been to 47 countries, 48 states and I have been either on or under 6 oceans.

For the last 7+ years I have been a single parent - and have done an amazing job (yes, I am a proud papa) thanks to having great kids.

I love doing anything someone thinks I am not qualified to do.

I can be contacted at rob (at) lagesse (dot) org