Software engineer, author, and snowboard bum living in Stowe, Vermont.

About

Hi, my name is Kirby Turner. I’m a senior software engineer at Breakpoint Studio. Before that, I was a senior software engineer at Apple, and before that, I ran my own software company for 14 years. I got my start at programming in the early 1980s, and I can’t image doing anything else as a career.

When I’m not sitting behind the keyboard, I can be found hanging out with my wife Melanie and my son Rowan, hiking the mountains of New England, kayaking the waters in and around Vermont, and snowboarding down mountains in search of epic powder.

Career

  • 2024

    Wanted more time to snowboard and do what I love, so I joined the team at Breakpoint Studio to work on Slopes, a ski and snowboard activity tracking app.

  • 2017

    Decided to try something different. I closed White Peak Software, after 14 great years, and joined Apple as a Software Engineer.

  • 2016

    Worked on exciting client projects such as CustomViewbook and Project 0.1.

  • 2015

    Worked on exciting client projects such as pingmd, Logline, and Letter Opener.

  • 2014

    Worked on and released nearly a dozen iOS apps for clients including WeaverPix and iCE at TJU, a new eLearning app for the iPad. Also released White Peak Software’s seventh app, Cross Post.

  • 2013

    Learning iPad Programming, 2nd Edition was finally released to the public. I released a number of client apps to the App Store include Filosync. Also, I released my first new White Peak Software app in a while, Big Screen.

  • 2012

    Released an iPad programming training video called Learning iPad Programming, which is based on the book of the same name. Completed the manuscript for the second edition of the Learning iPad Programming book. Released three new apps to the App Store for clients.

  • 2011

    Authored the book Learning iPad Programming published by Addison Wesley. Released PhotoWheel as part of the book. Spoke at VTM and 360idev conferences.

  • 2010

    Released Hey Peanut, White Peak Software’s fourth application and the second iOS app. I became much more active in the Cocoa developer community, attending and speaking at conferences, meet ups and CocoaHeads, and started my own group called NSHappyHour. I also started writing a book on learning iPad programming.

  • 2009

    Refocused White Peak Software as a Mac and iOS software shop, accepting only contract work for Mac and iOS apps, and ending of my long Microsoft and web technologies career.

  • 2008

    Started iOS development and released White Peak Software’s first iOS app Labor Mate.

  • 2007

    Released Killink CSV Editor, White Peak Software’s second product. I also switched from being a Windows user to a Mac user, and I started writing Mac software for internal use.

  • 2005

    Released SMTP Diagnostics, White Peak Software’s first product.

  • 2004

    Started full time work at White Peak Software doing contract programming and consulting.

  • 2003

    Founded White Peak Software, Inc.

  • 2001

    Joined Avanade, a joint venue between Microsoft and Accenture. I specialized in the mobile solutions then later switched focus to web services leveraging Microsoft technologies.

  • 2000

    Moved to New York, joined a mobile startup, dyed my hair green, flew countless trips between NYC and SFO.

  • 1998

    First attempt at being indie. Made $200 from my app Desktop Maid. Paid bills with contract projects.

  • 1997

    Or was it 1998?

    Started writing web applications with ASP.

  • 1995

    Started programming with Delphi - bye bye VB.

  • 1994

    The company I worked for switched from Visual C++ to Visual Basic, a low point in my career. Got my start with SQL Server.

  • 1992

    Moved from Memphis to St. Louis and started programming for Windows using Microsoft C and later Visual C++.

  • 1989

    Started writing applications for UNIX using C.

  • 1988

    Started programming in CADOL on CADO Systems.

  • 1985

    First job as a programmer writing business applications in Pascal for the Apple IIe.

  • 1982

    Started programming on a Timex Sinclair 1000 (TS1000), which I still own.

Contact

Send me an email if you would like to get in touch, have questions, or just want to say hello.

kirby@thecave.com