Nearing the end of my 3rd decade in the computer industry, I am quite possibly the embodiment of the exception which proves the rule "you cannot teach an old dog new tricks".  Whilst some concepts deep down still evade my tireless attempts to learn new tricks, it is probably exactly that which has kept me passionate about computing.

A relative 'newbie' to Experts Exchange, I have become quite enamoured with the site. The expertise, the range and the precision are really quite remarkable. I do find it quite frustrating at times in being slow to your responses when compared to the likes of chapandew, angellll and a few other notables. I do aspire to their speed, accuracy and dexterity in their responses and impressed with the quality that really should belie their ability to be so responsive. Consumers of this service should feel quite privileged in having ready access to such passionate professionals.

My responses are designed to help, that is all I am interested in (though do get a smile when points come this way). So if you do see one of my responses, and it does show some insight, then please be patient with my measured pace, and I can assure you that I will try my upmost to assist. Wherever possible, I will recreate and test the answer before posting, hence the slight delay, and quite possibly looks like a duplication of prior postings. So, please help me to help you, if I do provide an answer, or if I do raise a question, give it some consideration before moving on to the quick fix.

I do run businesses and consultancies which now afford a little more time to participate in EE. Having said that, I would be happy to talk to you outside the EE portal if appropriate to do so. Initial discussions and thoughts are free, but the real work would need a more formal arrangement. I do have customers throughout the world and grateful that computing has made such vast distances an inconvenience with time zones rather than a hindrance to do business.

I can be contacted on mark[DOT]wills[AT]bigpond[DOT]com. If you prefix the subject line with EE, then I will try to respond as quickly as I can.