Reflections on my last day with the Town of Manchester, CT

After over eight and a half years, it’s time for me to say goodbye to the Town of Manchester, CT. I’ve been with the Town’s Information Systems Department as a Web Developer since May 14, 2001. It was here in Manchester that I was first exposed to ColdFusion, a development language I love.

When I came to Manchester, the web environment was in ruins. My first day, a hacker decided to exploit our old Windows NT 4.0 server. Great way to start a new job. That first day experience gave me a preview of what the next couple of years in Manchester would be like. I looked forward to the challenge. Over the next couple of years, I worked to replace the aging servers in the web environment moving to Windows 2000 and eventually on to Windows 2003 Server. Databases were moved from MS Access 97 and 2000 to SQL Server 2000, 2005 and MySQL.

The code for the applications I was presented with was a mess. I took on the task of rewriting all existing applications, making the code more efficient. As ColdFusion evolved, so did the code in our applications. When Macromedia introduced ColdFusion components in ColdFusion 6, we moved our application back end code to this layout. When AJAX became more prevalent, we integrated that into our code. Flash Forms were used for a while. Application.cfm code became Application.cfc code. The list goes on and on with ColdFusion.

I created a new database environment. When I arrived, all database information was stored in MS Access 97 and 2000. Almost immediately I transitioned the town to SQL Server 2000, moving all Access databases into this separated environment. All SQL queries were placed into SQL Server stored procedures. I love stored procs, functions and views in SQL Server. In cases where I thought it was necessary, I moved Access databases to MySQL. I love that ColdFusion allows you to use so many different database platforms with ease.

In 2004 I was able to move beyond the code and create something that I will forever be grateful to have had the experience to do. I created Manchester’s Government and Education Television Network. What started as an old janitors closet turned into a full blown television station operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We started out small, recording our meeting videos to SVHS tapes. Very quickly we moved to DVD recordings and playback via a 400 disc Sony DVD Changer. All of this was initially controlled via a Knox Router and Leightronix TCD/IP.

As our station evolved, the need for a better video control system was required. I started researching solutions for our needs, automated video scheduling and a scroll screen announcement board seamlessly integrated into a software/hardware solution. Tightrope Media Systems answered the call with their excellent Cablecast/Carousel System. Their product integrated into our environment and worked with all of our existing hardware. Management of the station became much easier.

Over time our television needs evolved. We required digital file playback, onDemand and Podcast solutions. Tightrope Media Systems again answered the call with their Pro VOD system. Combined with their MPEG2 video server for television playback, we were able to create a full blown online television environment with live streaming we implemented separately. All of this can be seen here.

Silk City Television – http://www.channel16.org/

Live Stream – mms://live.channel16.org/16live

onDemand – http://cablecast.channel16.org/cablecast/public/Main.aspx?ChannelID=1

Manchester’s Information Systems Department allowed me the freedom to experiment and learn new technologies over the years. I became a ColdFusion Developer, SQL Server/MySQL DBA, Project Manager, Server Administrator, Linux Server Administrator, Television producer/General Manager and much more. I was able to travel to the Macromedia DevCon and Adobe MAX Conferences. Eight in all.

I will be forever grateful for the opportunities Manchester gave me. They allowed a 22 year old kid the freedom to try new things and be on the bleeding edge of technology. I don’t know if I’ll ever have the same opportunities and freedom that I had here. Only time will tell. For now, I’ll have the memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. I will miss this place, but it’s time to grow and move on.

Goodbye Manchester. Thank you for everything.