Iyad Sawaf
Telephone: +1-941-928-1923
email: Iyad@Sawaf.me
Current location: Third planet from the sun.
Who am I ?
Imagine blending a computer geek with a grease monkey then add a passion for knowledge, a dash of eccentricity, and a pinch of storytelling. That’s me in a nutshell.
The dawn of the digital age
My journey into the digital world began over many decades ago, in 1985. I dove headfirst into the realm of Computer Networks and Software Development, passionately working with the cutting-edge technology of the time. One standout was the Plexus P-60—a supercomputer powered by the first-generation 16/32-bit MC68000 Motorola processor. With just 4MB of memory (yes, MB, not GB 😏) and running on UNIX, it felt revolutionary. Today, that system couldn’t even handle my appointment book! Yet, it remains a historical relic, complete with its gear, cables, and classic green WYSE terminals, deserving a spot in a tech museum.
Since the early days:
From those humble beginnings, I’ve written countless lines of code, starting with COBOL on UNIX and later working with Visual Basic, ASP, Java, and C++. I’ve managed hundreds of servers, supported mission-critical databases in complex multi-region setups, and helped build infrastructure for large healthcare organizations across the United States. My career has been a mosaic of technical challenges and accomplishments.
Then, and in the end…
What’s the most important lesson I’ve learned after all these years?
NONE OF IT REALLY MATTERED…
Sure, it was fun for a time.
Yes, like many other engineers, I earned comfortable living.
But then ultimately, I was just trading my time for money, clocking in day after day.
So, my friend, I suggest you “free your mind” and take the “red pill”, leave The Matrix and step into the real world. We’ve been expecting you. 💊