Covington - About Me

About Me

Phillip A. Covington

Personal Web Site

Not being presumptuous I have no way of knowing who might, or might not, want to know more about me. However, since most of the people I personally refer to my Web site already know at least something about me, I thought I'd try to provide a little more here. So, feel free to read as little or as much as you like!

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This page last updated
07-Mar-1999

The Early Years

This Web site reflects my longtime interest in computers and computer technology, which has also been my primary occupation for most of my life. My childhood exposure to computers started with the room-sized basement "mainframe" at Elmhurst College where my father was a professor during the 1960s and early 1970s. That now prehistoric computer consisted of a maze of racks, wires and components stretching from floor to ceiling and occupied about the same amount of square footage as a small house.
Having had an interest in science and technology from my earliest years I found that early computer and the whole idea of computer technology fascinating from that point on. I am grateful that my parents encouraged my interests, learning, and hobbies. They purchased for me my first "computer," a programmable scientific computer/calculator, at a time when such items were considerably expensive and primarily only used by larger companies and colleges, or by engineers, researchers and scientist.
That last comment may seem odd to those whose only exposure to such devices has been relatively recent, and who now can purchase a fairly sophisticated scientific calculator for themselves or their children for about the price of a good book. However, prior to about 1970 computers smaller than a mainframe hardly existed, let alone a microcomputer or PC (Personal Computer). At that time scientific "calculators" were desktop units about the size of the old IBM Selectric typwriter, sometimes costing thousands of dollars.
The first successful handheld scientific calculators were produced by Hewlett Packard and costs around $1,000, or more! Even after increased sales and competition from similar models introduced by Texas Instruments prices still ranged into the several hundreds of dollars. I mention the above only to illustrate how fortunate I was to have parents who purchased not one, but two such calculators for me before I was hardly a teenager and at a time when most professional, adult engineers were still using slide rules.
I'll probably never know, though, if my parent's knew when they named me that my initials would spell both PACMAN, and PC (yes, some do call me Mr. PC!) Well, that's enough of a history lesson for now!

Today

Fast forwarding to today, I suppose it will suffice to say that because early computing devices required of their users an in-depth knowledge of their inner workings my experience with computers is correspondingly in-depth and broad. From early machine language which meant physically flipping electronic switches to program the first computers, to key-punched cards, to the standardization of the PC, to the World Wide Web, I've been fortunate to have been involved with computer technology at each stage of development. I eventually went to school for and entered the computer field as an occupation. However, it started as and remains a reflection of my personal interest in technology.

The first half of my computer career revolved around consulting and systems analyst work, including programming. Eventually I migrated more towards computer training and the writing of computer training materials and software. I'm an avid writer and along the way have done prodigious amounts of it, including documentation, training manuals, quite a few marketing materials, a few articles, and several editions of my book Computers--The Plain English Guide.

I'm now involved more with the technology side of computers and am working on several long-term projects in the areas of computer security, information delivery, and new hardware design. I'm also working on a new book series, more information about which can be found in the section on my site titled: Computers--The Plain English Guide.
While I no longer pursue "routine" contract or systems-level work I'm still kept on my toes by former clients, and friends and family members seeking the not-so-infrequent word or two of advice or assistance. In between the long-term technology-related projects I now focus on I'm also doing some process and document management automation related consulting in the interim. (Information about the services I offer in this area can be found on the Main Menu.)

Hobby Versus Occupation?

The popular phrases "do what you enjoy," and "hobbies lose their fun when you turn them into work" present an interesting paradox because they are both true. There seems to be a not-so-small number of people who aren't happy doing what they do in the workplace. At the same time I know of any number of people who, after turning their most enjoyable hobbies into a vocation and/or business, find they no longer enjoy their hobby! (A rare exception seems to be aviation.) At least as it applies to the computer field I guess I've struck a balance somewhere in the middle.
While I am still just as fascinated as ever by computer technology the difference after having made an occupation of it for so long is that I no longer find I have an interest in just playing with the various technologies solely to play. Now all of my "play," the learning of new software or hardware, or the purchase of something new, etc., is basically work related and (even for personal use) serves a functional purpose. So while I was once one of those people who could sit at a terminal for hours on end playing the latest game, flying Flight Simulator, or writing a program, "just for the fun of it," those days are long gone.
These days my joystick sits unused for such long periods that I always have to vacuum the dust off on the rare occasions when I take it down off of its shelf! (I do like, though, to get in a game of computer chess as often as possible.) While much of my day is spent working on a computer I average only about an hour each day on the Internet, and I've never understood the popular obsession with chat rooms; in fact, I've never even used the chat software included with my Internet communications suite! And while I've often been among the first to own a new, "cutting-edge" piece of hardware or software, my purchases are on an as-needed basis. I'm not the type to constantly try to always have the "latest and greatest" just for the sake of having it.

Hobbies and Interests

I've included more detailed information about some of my hobbies and interests under the Table of Contents on the Homepage. However, among those not listed there are: art and graphic design; music (classical, contemporary, including jazz, contemporary Christian, country, and a mix of others); chess, home construction and remodeling, travel, and, of course, science. Growing up among a family of ministers I learned early the importance and value of helping others and have often been an active part of various community-service projects, including service on various boards and committees.
In general I prefer to be a doer rather than a watcher and so like sports and activities where I can participate. I also like activities that encourage individual development and discipline. So while I have numerous friends or family members involved on a personal or professional level in sports such as football, basketball, baseball, or hockey, and am proud of their successes, those are not the sports I tend to favor. For instance, no one would argue that Garry Kasparov is currently the best chess player in the world, or that Charles Lindbergh was the first pilot to make a non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic ocean. However, a good bit of detailed analysis might be required to determine just how much someone like Dennis Rodman contributes to the success of the Chicago Bulls basketball team!

Confessions of a Former Egghead

The scene in the 1996 hit movie Independence Day where the President is introduced to the head scientist at a top-secret research facility and the scientist (Dr. Brakish Okun) apologizes for his awkwardness by saying: "As you can imagine we don't get out much," typifies the classic image many have of people involved in scientific and technical pursuits: a somewhat untamed mane of hair (a la Einstein), an unkept appearance, and lacking in the social graces. Well, I'm not above admitting that during my early years I too fit that description to at least some degree.
While spending Christmas with my family they roasted me unexpectedly by playing a video of an earlier TV appearance from when I attended college at the 2nd year level at the age of 14. While I was and am still proud of those early accomplishments, I must say that watching in 1997 the hairstyle and clothing I wore for that interview years earlier was a bit embarrassing to say the least! And, naturally, my sister had to rub it in by reminding everyone present that I started carrying a briefcase in elementary school! Thankfully, somewhere along the way I acquired a broad range of social and business skills and other interests besides "nerdy" stuff, and can proudly say that I'm now considered by most who know me to be a "former" egghead; well, that's what most people say anyway!