About the Author

Peter D. Hipson is a teacher, author, consultant, and developer who lives and works in New Hampshire. He holds a MEng in industrial engineering and management from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Bangkok.

Peter became involved in computers in the early 1970s, when he performed work at the hardware level on mainframe computers used for inventory and management. His subsequent work with mainframes continued until the mid-1980s.

His work with microcomputers dates back to their inception in the early to mid-1970s. Achievements in the early microcomputer field include patents for development of microcomputer technology dealing with secure software techniques and advanced work in data encryption. Other work included the development of interfaces for early microcomputers allowing the then-simple computers to work with a number of devices.

His current work includes teaching undergraduate classes at Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, New Hampshire, and lecturing in the corporate environment. Other continuing work includes working as a consultant (both application development and systems administration) and writing books and articles on various microcomputer-related topics (see the following for more information on Peter's books).

One of his current projects is Safe Kids on the Internet, a program that teaches children and their parents how to use the Internet safely.

Peter developed the first PC and Windows mapping (GIS) applications. Descendants of his Windows GIS products still enjoy success in the market today, almost 15 years after initial development. Peter also developed the first non-Windows PC based mapping program and pioneered the use of microcomputers for GIS, mapping, high-speed graphics, and geographic database techniques.

He has been a member in good standing of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) since 1983. He is also a member of Microsoft's Expert Zone.

When not writing or doing other work, he can be found on his Trek road bicycle riding the highways of New England and working on and playing with his Hummer. He is also a tool freak and might have more tools than anyone else.

If you have questions or comments, you can email Peter at [e-mail] and he'll try to answer your questions.