Hello,
I would like to help with the Apache project - if possible. My name is Donn Gilray. I am retired from the United States Navy as a nuclear power operator on submarines. I spent 20 years in the Navy, 12 on operational submarines, and have collectively spent 7 years under water. When I retired, I completed my degree in Accounting, a lifelong goal. I started working for a property management company the day of my last class as an undergrad. I went back to school and obtained a Masters in Accounting as I fulfilled the requirements for taking the CPA exam in Texas. I still work for the same employer - and am still an accountant. I started messing with Excel more and more and soon was given projects by the company's president. She knew what she wanted, but wasn't sure how to get there. I created several tools that reduced weekly and monthly tasks to easy to do jobs. One tool reduced a 4 day billing process for our clients down to less than 30 minutes start to finish - and more accurate. I have developed my skills in Excel and Word over the last 6 years and am the go to guy for our company for most software solutions - using what we have to solve day to day process challenges. I have recently started reading about cognitive science research and personal productivity. I use VBA extensively in my applications. I have limited the number of places we have to enter new clients by using a VBA updating tool that refreshes our various spreadsheets from a master file. It's not ERP, but it does reduce a lot of keystrokes. The reason I would like to join the Apache Project is that I feel I have something unique to offer. I have seven children with various levels of secondary education, but none of them are proficient at Office suite products. I think a lot of that is because of the cost associated with owning the software. I have been fortunate enough to obtain military appreciation versions of the software, but it is not for commercial use. Here are some goals I have concerning office suite type programs: 1. To have a training program - online or in person to guide new users how to get the most of the open office products at a young age. The more experience they gain with these tools, the more they will be able to offer their employer. It is one thing to know the field in which they obtained a degree, but it is another to do the day to day task of documenting financial or research related projects. Having a background in office suite products allows them to spend more time in their specialty rather than having to create spreadsheet or word-processor solutions to organize their data. 2. Provide easy to digest documentation for the various products. Coming from in the nuclear-powered navy, I understand the need for step by step directions for segments of projects to move the project to completions. Being able to follow and understand the basics lays a great foundation for the user to create their own applications and usable spreadsheets, word documents, and databases. 3. Basically contribute in any way I can - perhaps building my own skills in the process. Please let me help where you may need me. Donn Gilray Rowlett, TX
