6. Member Spotlight
Member: Michael Smith
Business: TeraTech, Inc.
Business Description: TeraTech develops quality database and dynamic website programming. Read more

Michael Smith’s company, TeraTech, Inc provides quality database and dynamic website programming mainly in ColdFusion, SQL and Visual Basic. In business since 1989, TeraTech’s clients include federal agencies, associations and prominent local businesses. TeraTech has developed sophisticated data-driven web sites for the Federal Drug Administration, Social Security Administration, The World Bank and Aggregate Industries. Typical services include system analysis and prototyping, database integration, system development and integration testing. In addition to ColdFusion, the TeraTech staff also has extensive experience in SQL databases, ASP, HTML, Access and FoxPro.

Michael holds an MA and BA in Math from Cambridge University, England and graduated in the top 10 of his year. Prior to founding TeraTech, Michael worked at a big five UK computer consulting company both in the UK and Holland. He is up to date with modern software development methods and is a frequent speaker at national programming conferences and author about programming for national magazines.

Q: What do you like about programming?
A: I like creating software that meets true needs of clients and operates in a bug-free way. I have been programming for over 25 years and have seen many different ways to create software. Many do not produce a program that the client can use off the bat. The challenge is to produce what people really want -- as opposed to what they think they want when first talking with a programmer. Our approach is to make a visual model of the finished program before starting coding. This way client saves time and money by giving us detailed feedback on what they want before we build their application.

Q: How did you get interested in coding quality?
A: When I started programming 25-years ago people started coding prior to planning out a program. Unfortunately this lead to “spaghetti style” code that was hard to maintain and full of bugs – so I learned how important planning was. I learned through experience that documentation and comments in code save a lot of time when making changes. I also read many books on software engineering and ways to improve quality. At TeraTech we have a philosophy of continuous improvement for software quality. We hold weekly brainstorming meetings that come up with new ideas and teach new software techniques to all the staff. We also have written guideline documents for common processes such as database creation, coding style and testing methods. Of course the final measure of quality is how happy our clients are with our programs. Our focus on quality helped us win the ColdFusion Developers Journal Reader Choice Award for Best Consulting company worldwide last year!

Q: Apart from creating high quality software, what else does TeraTech do?
A: We support several community organizations that help other programmers. We run the Maryland ColdFusion User Group and have organized eight successful national CF events including CFUN-2k with 700 attendees in the Washington DC area. TeraTech employees also volunteer at ByteBack, a non profit organization that provides computer training for unemployed and under-employed inner city residents. I write Fusion Authority, the ColdFusion Developer Journal and the CPCUG monitor. I believe that work should be meaningful and fun too, so community support fits right in at TeraTech.

If your organization needs a interactive website or database application creating then contact Michael at michael@teratech.com or read more about TeraTech at www.teratech.com.

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7. Community Contribution Corner

YES!Circle proudly announces our new partnership with the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). Because we firmly believe in furthering the spirit of entrepreneurship in our community, 10% of all 2003 YES!Circle profit will be donated to this wonderful organization, teaching entrepreneurship skills to at-risk D.C. youth. We are thrilled that your membership dues and program fees will now help us better support NFTE.

There are also countless opportunities to volunteer your time and expertise with NFTE. YES!Circle members and guests had an opportunity to meet two NFTE representatives, Ruby and Danielle, at the Anniversary Gala. Ruby McCann passionately spoke to the group about her organization’s mission and how to become involved. Several YES!Circle members have already signed up to volunteer at NFTE! To learn how you can help, please contact margarita@yescircle.org or rubym@nftewashington.org.

After the party, we received the following note from NFTE, “Thank you for bringing us into your 'Circle' of friends last night. What an incredible group of people. We'd love to attend any future events that you have.” YES!Circle is honored to welcome NFTE to our “Circle of friends”!

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