Ano-Tech Computers is not only a group with long traditions and a lot of
members, we are also engaged in a whole range of different activities
related to the care and feeding of our computers. Apart from keeping up the
relationship to other groups, these are some of the things we do:
- Programming
We have members programming both professionally and in their spare time.
Most started out with BASIC and similar beginner languages and have
gradually moved towards Assembly, Delphi, C/C++ and Java. Our public
releases
are listed on a separate "Releases" page, where you
can also download most
of them.
- Graphics
Many ATC members are experienced in 3D modelling using 3D Studio and other
professional packages. Several active members have that special "inner eye"
necessary to produce quite interesting and pleasant results, not only in 3D
but also using conventional 2D packages.
- Music
An essential part of demo/intro development is music. Correct choice of
music
can turn any mediocre demo into a good one, and any good one into a winner.
Unfortunately, we have had very few public releases so our musicians haven't
really got the exposure they deserve yet. Hopefully, this will change over
the next few months... (Record companies and game developers are
welcome)
- HTML design
Just until recently, this was a very dark chapter in ATC. Some new members
have just joined, and combined with existing know-how in the group we are
already starting to see some results. This web site marks another milestone
in ATC's history.
- Database design
A few of our members have professional experience with a vast range of
commercial database products like dBase, Paradox, DataEase, Access and
various forms of SQL. This comes in addition to programming experience with
Delphi, which also adds a lot of valuable experience with implementing
turn-key solutions for commercial purposes.
- PC support/service
Most of our members have several years of experience in locating and solving
problems related to assembling, installing, upgrading and maintaining PC
related hardware, some of us are making a living of it. DOS and Windows (all
versions) are ofcourse the focus areas, but also OS/2, Netware and several
different UNiX variants are commonly used within ATC.
- Networking
This is perhaps where ATC has scored highest over the last few years.
Some of our networking achivements still
stand unmatched because of our simple but powerful solutions to providing
temporary networks against "impossible" odds. One of the secrets is a unique
team spirit in combination with working methods that have been fine-tuned
since early 1995. ATC is the driving force behind TECH CREW, with invaluable
support from Crusaders. Several of our members have professional experience
with hubs and switching technologies ranging from Ethernet via Fast Ethernet
up to FDDI and ATM equipment.
- Software
We are constantly evaluating new software as it hits the market, keeping
ourselves informed about changes and new situations as they occur. This is a
valuable asset to members of the group who need to stay updated but can't
afford to spend a lot of time testing and familiarizing themselves with the
massive amount of new software released every year. Through ATC they get
reliable information from a critical point of view, exactly what they need
to avoid the potholes of "the information superhighway".
- Internet
Not just a subset of networking in general, Internet know-how is once again
becoming popular as the world wide web has become more available to common
people. ATC is becoming a powerful group of internet specialists, with
valuable experience in setting up routers, firewalls and servers. We are
currently putting together our own "hacker" crew capable of not only
detecting security holes but also providing reliable and realistic solutions
to them.
- Java
This is where networking, internet, programming and graphics all come
together folks... We have just started walking down this path, but I am sure
we will see even more exiting combinations of different technologies here in
the future. As a teaser, imagine the possibilities when using CGI to
generate
parameters for SQL powered Java applets - it's all been done before, we'll
just take it a bit further than most others :-)
- Games
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Did you really think we'd sit
here
and tinker with code and stuff all day long, 7 days a week? Think again!
We're nerds and hackers, but we're not geeks :-)
