I wrote my first computer program in 1973 and have been a computer nerd ever since.

After graduating from New York University in 1975 with minors in both computer science and mathematics, I spent over 20 years working in an IBM mainframe (MVS) environment. Initially, I was a programmer, developing applications in COBOL, Assembly Language, VSAM, CICS and the ever-present batch environment. Then, after a year working with the IDMS database, I spent nine years working with DB2 for MVS as a Database Administrator.  

For the next four years (1995-1999) I worked in the Research and Development group of a large Wall Street financial company. Then I spent a couple years doing technical writing, producing manuals and the like for a mainframe software company.

I am an independent computer consultant, working with small businesses and the self-employed. I do whatever needs doing: websites, networks, backup strategies, data recovery, tutoring, purchasing advice, etc. Every day is different. If you need a website, or, live near New York City and need computer help, email me.

In 2002 I volunteered do the web site for The Personal Computer Show on WBAI. One thing led to another and now I'm both a regular on the show and also work on the web site for the radio station (here's another shot of me in the studio with Hank Kee).

In January 2007 I started a blog at michaelhorowitz2.blogspot.com which was noticed by someone at CNET. Since July 2007, I've been writing the Defensive Computing blog as part of the CNET blog network. See one of my first postings.

Web sites: The Computer Gripes web site is a hobby. It dates back to 1999 and was my first website. The Java Tester web site grew out of frustration, while taking Java programming classes, in determining the version of Java on different computers. Turns out the whole world was frustrated with this and Flash now does what Java was supposed to. The MDSG web site is a pro bono way of paying back the group for helping someone close to me. This is a partial list, I've done many other web sites for clients.

I teach a number of classes, described in detail on this site, most with an underlying theme of Defensive Computing. I created all my classes (and hundreds of pages of handouts) from scratch. Defensive Computing was my first class, I also have a class on Backing Up Your Computer. The "So You Bought A New Computer, Now What?" class is basically about testing and configuring a new Windows XP computer to make sure you get off on the right foot Likewise the "Buying and Owning a Laptop Computer" class aims to insure students buy the right laptop for their needs and keep it healthy and happy. A number of the web pages on this site are also Defensive Computing oriented, such as Links that Lie.

I have taught at Hunter College Continuing Education, the local New York Personal Computer (NYPC) User Group and elsewhere. I've also lectured at a number of the NYPC General Meetings. In May 2006, I re-did the group's web site nypc.org and continue to maintain it.

As the license plate below implies, I live in New York City. My neighborhood was profiled in the New York Times and the Village Voice, both in November 2002. I don't live too far from Central Park.