TweetFollow Us on Twitter

The MacTech Spotlight: Boisy G. Pitre

Volume Number: 26
Issue Number: 06
Column Tag: MacTech Spotlight

The MacTech Spotlight: Boisy G. Pitre http://www.tee-boy.com/

http://www.tee-boy.com


What is your company?

Tee-Boy. I own the company, and we are located in the heart of Cajun Country in Southwestern Louisiana.

What do you do?

My designated title is "Lead Developer" but I also run the company and handle all aspects of the business. We focus on custom programming on a consultancy basis for the Mac, iPhone, and iPad platforms, but also have a portfolio of products that we sell on our website.

How long have you been doing what you do?

Professionally, I've been a software engineer for 18 years. If you count my first exposure to computing and learning how to program, it's more like 28 years. More recently, I fell in love with the Mac back in 2002 and started learning Cocoa and Objective-C then; I've been doing Mac programming now for 8 years. It's by far the best platform that I've worked on.

What was your first computer?

My very first computer was a 16K Tandy Color Computer 2 (a.k.a. CoCo 2) from Radio Shack, followed shortly thereafter by a 128K CoCo 3. At first I used a cassette recorder to store and load programs until I could afford a disk drive unit. The CoCo came with a built-in BASIC interpreter, and I later learned 6809 assembly language, then moved onto the OS-9 (Microware, not Apple) operating system. Most people are surprised when I tell them that to this day I still have fun with the CoCo, and even run a retro-computing hardware/software business with a friend. See http://www.cloud9tech.com. Years later, my first Mac would be a 700MHz eMac G4. It still works today.

Are you Mac-only, or a multi-platform person?

I like working with Linux, and if it is absolutely necessary I can do Windows, but I would much rather work on Mac OS X. In fact, we're all Mac here at the office and also at the house. At home, we're huge advocates for the platform. My wife and I counted the number of folks that we've personally converted over to the Mac, and it's well beyond two-dozen and still going up.

What attracts you to working on the Mac?

Two things: simplicity and elegance. The Mac platform is frustration-free, beautiful to work in, and is a real pleasure to use. Apple has got it absolutely right in my opinion, and that is corroborated by the feedback that I get from others who have listened to my advice and purchased a Mac. I cannot tell you how many frustrating hours I have spent trying to get things done on other platforms, only to find the Mac does those same tasks effortlessly. Another benefit for me is that the Mac is built on such a robust operating system platform, BSD. It's almost a dichotomy that such a gorgeous and responsive user interface runs atop a powerful yet often-times misunderstood operating system platform, but Apple has the secret sauce that makes these two concepts gel so well. You cannot help but admire the engineering effort that went into integrating all of this.

What's the coolest thing about the Mac?

The coolest thing for me is that it "just works." It's really that simple.

What is the advice you'd give to someone trying to get into this line of work today?

First, I would say pay your dues by gaining some relevant programming experience. A formal education doesn't hurt either. If you're a prodigy, good for you, but a good grounding in theory and a lot of practice is a recipe for success. Second, always make your customer, client or employer's requirements a priority. Share their vision for their project and put your whole heart into making them happy with your work. Third, be passionate; it will show through your work and you will excel. Finally, be yourself. Don't be afraid to showcase your uniqueness and your personality. People want to work with other interesting people.

What's the coolest tech thing you've done using OS X?

There are several things, but my coolest achievement was getting my Mac to act as a disk, terminal, and MIDI server to my CoCo 3 using a product I designed and wrote called DriveWire. I developed the initial server software in Objective-C and Cocoa and now my Mac does my CoCo's bidding. I actually presented a poster at the WWDC07 Scientific Poster Development Session showcasing a compiler project that I created on my Mac, and used DriveWire as the media platform for testing (see http://www.apple.com/science/poster/)

Ever?

For fun, I've restored several vintage Coca-Cola machines, and reworked a crusty old Pac-Man arcade cabinet and put a PC running MAME inside, complete with working coin door and controls (it's the only thing that runs Windows here). Is that tech or what?

Where can we see a sample of your work?

With a name like mine, all you need to do is Google me, and you'll see link after link of things that I've worked on over the years.

The next way I'm going to impact IT/OS X/the Mac universe is:

Besides continuing to work on cutting edge software, I am interested in leveraging my experience on the Mac and iPhone platforms by writing technical articles for magazines (like MacTech). It's very rewarding to be able to use what you've learned and pass it on to others.

If you or someone you know belongs in the MacTech Spotlight, let us know! Send details to editorial@mactech.com

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Combo Quest (Games)
Combo Quest 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Combo Quest is an epic, time tap role-playing adventure. In this unique masterpiece, you are a knight on a heroic quest to retrieve... | Read more »
Hero Emblems (Games)
Hero Emblems 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: ** 25% OFF for a limited time to celebrate the release ** ** Note for iPhone 6 user: If it doesn't run fullscreen on your device... | Read more »
Puzzle Blitz (Games)
Puzzle Blitz 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Puzzle Blitz is a frantic puzzle solving race against the clock! Solve as many puzzles as you can, before time runs out! You have... | Read more »
Sky Patrol (Games)
Sky Patrol 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: 'Strategic Twist On The Classic Shooter Genre' - Indie Game Mag... | Read more »
The Princess Bride - The Official Game...
The Princess Bride - The Official Game 1.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $3.99, Version: 1.1 (iTunes) Description: An epic game based on the beloved classic movie? Inconceivable! Play the world of The Princess Bride... | Read more »
Frozen Synapse (Games)
Frozen Synapse 1.0 Device: iOS iPhone Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Frozen Synapse is a multi-award-winning tactical game. (Full cross-play with desktop and tablet versions) 9/10 Edge 9/10 Eurogamer... | Read more »
Space Marshals (Games)
Space Marshals 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $4.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: ### IMPORTANT ### Please note that iPhone 4 is not supported. Space Marshals is a Sci-fi Wild West adventure taking place... | Read more »
Battle Slimes (Games)
Battle Slimes 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: BATTLE SLIMES is a fun local multiplayer game. Control speedy & bouncy slime blobs as you compete with friends and family.... | Read more »
Spectrum - 3D Avenue (Games)
Spectrum - 3D Avenue 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: "Spectrum is a pretty cool take on twitchy/reaction-based gameplay with enough complexity and style to stand out from the... | Read more »
Drop Wizard (Games)
Drop Wizard 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Bring back the joy of arcade games! Drop Wizard is an action arcade game where you play as Teo, a wizard on a quest to save his... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

14-inch M4 Pro/M4 Max MacBook Pros on sale th...
Don’t pay full price! Get a new 14″ MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro or M4 Max CPU for up to $320 off Apple’s MSRP this weekend at these retailers…they are the lowest prices available for these MacBook... Read more
Get a 15-inch M4 MacBook Air for $150 off App...
A couple of Apple retailers are offering $150 discounts on new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs this weekend. Prices at these retailers start at $1049: (1): Amazon has new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off... Read more
Unreal Mobile is offering a $100 discount on...
Unreal Mobile, an MVNO using AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, is offering a $100 discount on any new iPhone with service. This includes new iPhone 16 models as well as iPhone 15, 13, and SE phones... Read more
16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pros on sale for $250-...
Don’t pay full price! Amazon has 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pros (Silver or Black colors) on sale right now for up to $300 off Apple’s MSRP. Shipping is free. These are the lowest prices currently... Read more
Get a 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro for up to $240 o...
Amazon is offering a $150-$250 discount on Apple’s 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros right now. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party seller: – 14″ M4 MacBook Pro... Read more
Clearance 14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pros availab...
B&H Photo has clearance 14″ M3 Pro MacBook Pros (in Black or Silver) on sale for $500 off original MSRP, only $1499. B&H offers free 1-2 day delivery to most US addresses: – 14″ 11-Core M3... Read more
Sams Club is offering a $50 discount on Titan...
Sams Club has Titanium Apple Watch Series 10 models on sale for $50 off Apple’s MSRP. Sams Club Membership required. Note that sale prices are for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Choose... Read more
Sunday Sale: Apple’s latest 13-inch M4 MacBoo...
Amazon has new 13″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off MSRP right now, starting at $849. Sale prices apply to most colors and configurations. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a... Read more
Apple’s M4 Mac minis on sale for record-low p...
B&H Photo has M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis in stock and on sale right now for up to $150 off Apple’s MSRP, each including free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses. Prices start at only $469: – M4... Read more
Week’s Best Deals: 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros fo...
Don’t pay full price! These retailers are offering $200-$250 discounts on new 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros this week…they are the lowest sale prices available for new MacBook Pros: (1): Amazon is offering... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.