H. Rudy Ramsey, Ph.D. (Consultant)

Background

H. Rudy Ramsey is an unusual combination of human factors psychologist and computer scientist. He holds a Ph.D. in experimental psychology, and has wide experience in basic and applied human factors research, and in human factors as applied to actual computer system design.

Complementing these human factors capabilities is his extensive experience in software design and programming. He has designed and implemented a variety of interactive systems, translator-writing systems, programming languages, and precompiler systems for government and commercial customers.

For fifteen years, he has been heavily involved in research and development of computer-based systems to support individual and cooperative work.

He now divides his time between consulting and software product development. He is the owner of Rams' Island Software, a software development and consulting firm in Parker, Colorado.

Rudy is 53, married, and has three sons. When he's not working, Rudy is an active Taekwon-Do student (1st-degree black belt, ITF TKD), sings traditional Scottish music, reads mysteries, and occasionally races a Hobie 16 catamaran.

Areas of Special Expertise and Experience

Software Ergonomics

The common thread through all of Dr. Ramsey's work is the use of psychological and ergonomic knowledge and methods to improve software systems. He is particularly adept at rapid and effective user requirements analysis using a variety of interview, simulation, and field observation methods.

Software Design

Good software design requires an understanding of user and task needs and of software technology. Dr. Ramsey has effectively applied such integrated knowledge over a long period and a wide variety of applications. In the 1970's, he designed many interactive software systems, including one of the mission-real-time systems used by NASA to manage the Skylab space missions. Throughout the 1980's, he did design research on large-scale programming environments and designed systems for cooperative work. In the 1990's, he has been designing modern work-environment management and other software for personal computers. For consulting clients, he has acted as a design consultant and as an actual product designer.

Computer Work Environments

Computer systems for the support of individual and group work have been a major focus for Dr. Ramsey's work since 1980.

Analysis of Organizations

Dr. Ramsey is expert at analyzing the structure and dynamics of work organizations. Working with the client's personnel, and acting as analyst/facilitator, he applies various techniques of role-activity analysis and function analysis to help the client understand his own organization better. Analyses of this sort are especially helpful in preparation for the design of computer-based cooperative-work systems.

Programming

Dr Ramsey's 30+ years of programming experience have included a variety of programming languages and platforms. He currently writes software for IBM-compatible personal computers, using Borland Delphi (or Visual Basic) and C++ to produce both Windows and DOS applications. His rates for contract programming jobs are highly competitive.

Rudy Ramsey and Your Company

If you need the kinds of skills and services described here, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better or more efficient source than Rudy Ramsey. His standards for quality and integrity are the highest. His advice is always delivered candidly.

Dr. Ramsey's ability to quickly come up to speed in complex new situations is unexcelled. An effective team worker with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, he will become productive for you very quickly.

Past Clients and Employers

Copyright 1995-97 Rams' Island Software. All rights reserved. Webmaster is Rudy Ramsey (ramsisle@abwam.com )