About the Author

Ted Wallingford was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He began working with information systems at the age of 7, when his father bought a used Timex Sinclair 1000 computer and a notepad of handwritten BASIC programs at a garage sale. With 4 kilobytes of RAM and no disk drive, this machine was the seed for an unlikely and eclectic career in computer technology. It wasn't long before a Commodore 64 succeeded the Timex, and an Amiga succeeded the 64.

Since becoming an "IT guy," Ted has worn many hatssome that even fit! While working in the Worldwide IT Group of the J. Walter Thompson ad agency, he began to write articles for computer magazines. This habit eventually led him to writing marketing and technical white papers for Gateway Computer and the former Amiga Inc., where he also served as webmaster in 1999.

Ted is currently the director of IT for a large, private construction firm, where he builds applications, monitors networks, and sometimes provides mentorship for local high school students interested in information systems. His largest project to date is the rollout of an ambitious VoIP network that supports phone and messaging applications all around the country. Ted believes that VoIP and the Internet are today's revolution in distance communication.

Aside from his activities with technology and writing, Ted has served as a member of the board of trustees for an international adoption agency in suburban Cleveland, where he lives with his wife and two children.