Mark Sobek

2. What was the timeframe you worked at Microware? 

1995-2001

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

Customer Support Engineer
Senior Customer Support Engineer
Software Engineer
Technical Manager
FAE

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

Moving into the new building.

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

Playing noon basketball.

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

A burning hatred for all things Microsoft. ;-) I still use Micro$oft Pee-Cees, but only because I have to. Ironically, I've thought about trying to get MCSE certified but haven't yet.

7. What was your reason for leaving Microware? 

It was determined that my services were no longer needed (laid-off) after the Radisys buy-out (16 days after we were told the "Support department is an extension of R & D and they are buying Microware for the R&D, so you'll be pretty safe.").

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

Was out of work for 1.5 years. Since May 2003, I've been working with Wells Fargo Financial in Des Moines. My title is Operating Systems Analyst 2 and I do a lot of things ranging from Oracle database administration and maintenance to writing scripts to simplify life (the repetitive things) to writing HTML/Javascript pages. The project I was working under was cancelled earlier this year, and the company was really adamant about finding new homes for those effected. I am now working with the OS/IS group supporting/administrating the company's electronic reporting system. I get to write Perl code which is fun.

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

My wife, Natalie, and I have 2 girls; Quinnlyn (age 6) and Olivia (age 3). Quinnlyn is in first grade and enjoying school (she's way ahead of the plan in reading skills). Olivia is 3. ;-) She wants to do everything her big sister does. It's interesting that when they play together, Olivia "suggests" a lot of things ("Quinnie, you say this, OK?") and it's surprising how much Quinnlyn responds. Quinn will eventually get tired of the game and wants to do her own thing. That's one big difference between them: Quinnlyn will do a lot of things by herself, but Olivia has to be around someone at all times. We think it has something to do with being a twin (her twin sister died en utero).

11. Do you ever see other former Microware employees and do you have their email addresses?  Occasionally. I see several people who still work for Radisys quite regularly.