Nate Niceswanger

2.  What was the timeframe you worked at Microware? 

Intern: Summer 1995
Full-time: June 1996-July 1999

3.  What was your job title(s) and what did you do at Microware? 

Software Engineer. Ummmm... I'm not sure what I did exactly, but my job description states that I worked in the tools group (specifically working on the compiler).  I was moved to tech support towards the end of my run.

4.  What is your most interesting or vivid memory of Microware? 

The holiday parties were always pretty crazy.  The one that I remember pretty vividly was when the Kabalas performed... they sounded like Weird Al Yankovic, but with less cover songs.

5.  What were some of your favorite times at Microware? 

Playing basketball was always interesting.  Not only did we play daily during lunch break, but we also had a team that played in the Clive Parks & Recreation League each winter.  We were usually pretty bad, but one year we did manage to finish in 2nd place.  (The dirty little secret, though, is that there were only four teams in the league.)  Still, they did award us a trophy for our efforts, and as far as I'm aware, it's the only sports-related trophy that Microware earned throughout its history.

6.  Have any experiences, skills, or habits that you picked up at Microware made an impact on your life?  Please share them with us. 

Habits?  Yeah, but I'm not sure if they were good ones.  Although I'm not really in the computer industry anymore, I did pick up a lot from my time there.

7.  What was your reason for leaving Microware? 

To open my own business, mainly.

8.  What have you been doing career-wise since Microware? 

Owner & sole employee of Zzz Records, a small independent record shop in downtown Des Moines.

9.  Tell us about your family: spouse, significant others, kids, pets, etc.

Significant other: Erin McBroom, who worked there around 2000-01.

11.  Do you ever see other former Microware employees and do you have their email addresses?  Yes, but I think all of them are already on your list.  I'll double-check with them.