Personal Projects
I enjoy using my experience with information systems to develop solutions for groups that are interested in adopting new approaches to information technology. Feel free to use the tabs to the left to browse a few samples from my portfolio.
More Information
If you're interested in learning more about any of these projects, please email me at eckertd@gmail.com.
HostedGroups Management Service
Development: June 2006 — Present
Status: Active
The HostedGroups Management Service allows an organization to manage membership, event-planning, credit-based activities, and other related tasks through an easy-to-use web interface.
Work on an early version of HostedGroups began in June 2006 as a project designed to bring the Enloe Key Club into the 21st century with event scheduling and member management tools.
The project was rebranded as HostedGroups in August 2008 after continued development with the Enloe High School Key Club.
Open-Source Academic Elections
Development: June 2006 — August 2009
Status: On Haitus
The OSAE project is intended to allow schools and organizations the ability to conduct secure, reliable election exercises using a standard web-based interface built upon the ExtJS framework.
Developed with support from the PHP-SAM project (see below), the OSAE project includes security as a top priority to address concerns with previously established election software packages.
The Academic Elections project has undergone intermittent development phases since 2007. Development will continue as time permits.
PHP Simple Authentication Module
Development: June 2006 — August 2009
Status: On Haitus
The open source PHP-SAM project promotes development of an easy-to-use module that can be used by PHP developers of all levels of experience to quickly create secure login functions for web applications.
PHP-SAM checks users against a secure database and lets web authors secure pages and content with easy-to-use integrability, while including developer interfaces to simplify security transactions.
An implementation of PHP-SAM is used to protect the Intranet portal of the Iowa State University Office of Student Financial Aid. Another adaptation of PHP-SAM is used to authenticate users for the HostedGroups Management Service.
PoynerSpruill Service Level Agreement
Development: July 2010 — August 2010
Status: Complete
The PoynerSpruill Service Level Agreement provided a defined structure of service for resolving information technology problems of all types at a large North Carolina law firm.
With more than 100 partners and dozens of associates and staff, PoynerSpruill's Information Technology division faces a challenge in providing technology services to its users in a uniformly-effective manner.
As a part of my employment with PoynerSpruill, I provided consultation in developing a Service Level Agreement (SLA) and the groundwork to implement the necessary business practices to enhance the efficacy of the IT department in its interations with users of all types.
Raleigh Little Theatre Communications Enhancement
Development: August 2009 — Present
Status: Active
The Raleigh Little Theatre Communications Enhancement aims to provide equipment, documentation, services, and support to the staff, volunteers, and patrons of Raleigh Little Theatre.
Planning and proposals are being conducted in several phases. The first stage of the overhaul will be an upgrade of computer network components, including core switches and routers, to increase the quality of service at the RLT complex.
The design and approval phases are complete; the deployment phase will commence in September 2010.
Raleigh Little Theatre Wiki Migration
Development: Sept. 2009 — August 2010
Status: Complete
The Raleigh Little Theatre Wiki Migration project provided an upgrade to a medium that allows volunteers to compile an accurate, complete addendum to the official history of the theatre.
This project was implemented using MediaWiki software that allows volunteers to document histories of seasons, shows, and events at the theatre. Previously, TikiWiki software was used, but it no longer meets the needs of the theatre.
In addition to installing MediWiki software, I developed a custom skin to match the design of the RLT main website and provide a uniform experience for visitors.
Virtual Lab Assistant
Development: March 2010 — April 2010
Status: On Haitus
Cisco Technical Assistance Center engineering support teams use lab equipment to reproduce and troubleshoot issues seen in customer deployments.
Currently, use of lab equipment requires cabling and configuration, which reduces the timeliness of a solution. Through the use of PHP, MySQL, and Layer 3 switching, the Virtual Lab Assistant seeks to minimize the effort needed to prepare lab equipment for testing.
Through this project, I hope to increase the speed of setup and initial configuration of testing equipment, and thereby increase the agility of teams in problem resolution.