Date: Fri 03-Apr-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: MICHEL

Quick Words:

Hubert-Spiers-Daly-software

Full Text:

Students Take Software Concept From Idea To Implementation

(with cut)

BY MICHELE HOGAN

Chris Hubert and Bill Speirs, juniors at Newtown High School, weren't planning

on developing security software for the Board of Education, they were just

young teenagers on vacation, discussing a problem with the school computers.

That was two years ago.

Now, they have programmed a solution, one that is being installed on all

stand-alone Apple computers in the Newtown District.

Jay Daly, computer teacher at Newtown High School, said that with the enormous

growth in technology "suddenly age doesn't matter. If you have the knowledge,

you can get paid."

Chris and Bill, ages 16 and 17, have sold site licenses for their software to

the district, and also hold the installation contract.

Mr Daly said that Newtown's problem is not unique. Questions of computer

security are real issues that affect schools everywhere.

Chris explained that without a security system, there is nothing to stop

anyone from accidentally or intentionally deleting someone else's files,

stealing another student's "A" essay, or even sabotaging a program.

Now when Newtown students sign on the computer, they can access only their own

files.

Mr Daly is full of enthusiasm for this program and these kids. He explained

that the program meets a real need, and said, "There are a lot of Apple

computers out there!"

He said that it would be a natural outgrowth of the idea for Chris and Bill to

market this program in other school districts, either through word-of-mouth or

over the Internet. "It's like these kids are walking through an orchard. There

is as much potential there as they care to indulge in."

Taking root from a conversation Bill and Chris had while vacationing in the

Adirondacks, the idea has grown from schematic drawings to a real product,

with help from Chris's dad.

Chris's father, Richard Hubert, a programmer, was intrigued with the problem

Bill and Chris were working on, and suggested programming strategies and books

to help them develop their ideas.

Bill used the programming language "C," and had Chris and his dad to help.

When not busy with the programming, Chris worked on graphic design

applications.

Active in the school web pages from their inception, Chris has just made new

pages for the high school band. He also set up the Boy Scout Fairfield County

Council web pages.

Although Chris loves web design, this year paid employment has taken more of

his time. Chris works part-time for TUV Rheinland Incorporated, which has its

headquarters on Commerce Avenue in Newtown.

Chris said, "Technically I am in the marketing department, but I like helping

out with computer-related problems best."

Mr Daly is really excited about these kids' knowledge, talent and future

prospects. He said, "Won't it be great, when these kids are millionaires, we

can say we rubbed shoulders with them way back when they were just getting

started!"