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Richard H. E. Smith II

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For other people named Dick Smith, see Dick Smith (disambiguation).

Dick Smith (more formally, Richard H.E. Smith II) is a Chicago, Illinois-based software engineer, computer consultant[1] and science fiction fanzine publisher.

Science fiction fandom

As a science fiction fan, Smith, with his wife, Leah Zeldes Smith, was 1993 winner of the Down Under Fan Fund[2] and delegate to Swancon 18, the Australian National Science Fiction Convention in Perth, Australia,[3] as well as to fan centers throughout the country. He has been selected as fan guest of honor by numerous science fiction conventions, including Windycon (1995),[4] ArmadilloCon (1995), First Contact (1998), ConQuesT (2000), Whatcon (1985) and Corflu (1991),[5] and has been a toastmaster at such conventions as ConFusion and a frequent speaker and panelist on subjects related to fandom, fan publishing, science fiction and technology.

The Smiths' fanzine STET was a three-time Hugo Award nominee.[6] In the 1980s, Smith published the Hogu Award-winning title, Uncle Dick's Little Thing.[5] He was extensively active in numerous amateur press associations during the 1970s and '80s, including the Fantasy Amateur Press Association and The Cult.[5] He was a recipient of the Peter J. Vorzimer Award.[5]

Smith and his wife organized ditto, a fanzine convention, in 1990 and 2001,[7] and have worked on many Worldcons and other science fiction conventions.[5] He is a member of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society[8] and the Cincinnati Fantasy Group.[9]

Smith is known within fandom for his interest in and collection of antique printing techniques and devices, such as hectographs, letterpresses, spirit duplicators, mimeographs and obsolete computers.[10]

Professional life

Smith is founder and president of Dick Smith Software, a comprehensive computer consulting firm. Prior to that, he developed software for such companies as Northrop Grumman, U.S. Robotics and 3Com.[1]

In his professional work, Smith contributes to science fiction, serving as a consultant to such authors as Frederik Pohl[11] and Mike Resnick.[12] He is an expert on legacy systems.

Smith was one of the inventors of a "Method and protocol for connecting data calls using R2 signaling" granted U.S. Patent 6,233,237 in 2001.[13] He contributed to the textbook LAN Times Guide to Telephony (Osborne/McGraw-Hill).[14]

Smith is a geocacher and a director of the Geocachers of Northeastern Illinois.

Early life

Smith was born in West Bend, Wisconsin, the eldest son of Richard H.E. Smith and Marilyn R.J. Smith, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Dick Smith LinkedIn Public Profile
  2. ^ DUFF (Down Under Fan Fund) Winners
  3. ^ Australian National Science Fiction Conventions list
  4. ^ The Windycon Big List: A Chronological History
  5. ^ The Locus Index to SF Awards: Hugo Nominees List
  6. ^ Fancyclopedia: Ditto Convention
  7. ^ LASFS Members List
  8. ^ CFG Members List
  9. ^ Millennium Philcon Program Participant Biographies
  10. ^ Pohl, Frederik, The Way the Future Blogs
  11. ^ Resnick, Mike, "About Dick Smith and This Female Person He Lives With," 1990
  12. ^ United States Patent and Trademark Office
  13. ^ Zinkann, Elizabeth, "Books: A User's Report"
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