Type of software production

Indeed, it is not easy to define what kind of programs I write, because, in thirty years and more, I have done everything. Therefore, I start with a list of what I usually do not do:

• Programs for accounting and payroll: I do not have the expertise, I am unable to understand the double-entry bookkeeping, and the tax legislation the Italian Republic is incomprehensible to me. I was able to understand and study quantum mechanics, but the tax regulations of my beautiful country are really too much. Moreover, it is possible to find dozens of management packages ready, working, and well tested, to buy and even for free.
• Programs for word processing or spreadsheets, or to create new databases: there are already, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Besides, after the advent of Open Office, fully compatible with the file formats of Microsoft Office, it became difficult to offer a better product at a lower price.
• Software to crack other software or systems, virus and spyware, any tool or software device for violating licenses or to read protected discs or tapes, or any piece of software specifically designed for whatever illegal activities or otherwise to injure or even annoy people. Do not ask me anything like that, I don't do it. Period. I've had the opportunity, I was asked sometimes, and I always refused. I live trying to sell my work, which is the software that I make with my hands and my head, so do not ask me to violate the intellectual rights of my own work. If you want to do things like that, do it yourself, and then take care not to tell me.

A partial list of the type of software that I have produced, both as an employee and as a professional (you can also see my CV):

• Publishing application for layout of text for a daily newspaper
• Packages for quality control for mechanical, engineering, textile industries
• Complete packages for statistical process control, or SPC
• Handling of industrial plants, or parts of plants, with control from a PC or some dedicated hardware
• Handling of physical stores
• Physical management of chemical plants
• Bi and three-dimensional graphics
• Medical Applications
• Treatment of diagnostic images
• Programs for the maintenance of systems and databases
• Program management of cross supply and demand estate
• Multiple axes robot with CANopen interface
• And much more

I say it without false modesty that I am able to examine any problem (except accounting & payroll), and to tell you if I can face it or not. I happened to start some big project without having the foggiest idea how I could accomplish, still, I was able to, and to complete it successfully. But I know I am able to study, to seek for ideas and solutions, and to create my own solution, if I can't find one ready. It's part of my training, from univerisity time to date.

I repeat here something I have written elsewhere: beware of those who say that a certain thing can't be done. Normally, the sentence "it can't be done," just means "I am not able to do it." If I personally can not do something, I will tell you, and I will try to find the right person to do it, if he or she exists within my reach and if you can afford him or her. Because it is never true that "it can't be done." You can do anything (except raise the dead, and I would not be so sure even of this): you can do everything, if you have enough time and money.

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