James Daneke

Blog

  • About Me:

    Broker, Tech Pioneer, Pilot & Photographer

    I operate at the intersection of deep-tech infrastructure, real estate expertise, and lifelong aviation. With a career spanning from the era of mainframe punch cards to modern cloud virtualization, alongside decades of active real estate brokerage, I bring a unique blend of analytical problem-solving and hands-on operational experience to every project.

    🏡 Real Estate Expertise & Background

    Real estate is in my blood. Having grown up on the move, I developed a deep, native understanding of diverse markets across California and beyond. Father founded American River Bank, and was a powerhouse President of Bank of Santa Clara and Vice President of Bank of California before that. Grandfather A.H. “Robby” Robertson was well known and loved at Del Paso Country Club, Rotary, and Sutter Club, a stockbroker during the Depression in Sacramento.

    • Active California Real Estate Broker: License #01443082 (Active since 2004).
    • Local Market Integration: Active member of Metrolist.
    • Geographic Footprint: Born out of a lifetime of relocation, my regional knowledge spans San Mateo, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Chico, Sacramento, Roseville, Carmichael, and Southern California (Irvine, Montebello, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Fountain Valley), alongside chapters in Las Vegas, Denver, Portland, and Iowa City.

    “Unless a contract is valid, it is void or voidable.” – A foundational principle I bring to every transaction.

    🛠️ Technology, Systems & Infrastructure

    I don’t just use technology; I build, manage, and maintain it from the bare metal up. My experience bridges the gap between legacy foundations and cutting-edge deployments.

    Current Stack & Core Infrastructure

    • Self-Hosted Enterprise: I manage my own bare-metal servers supporting multiple domains, custom WordPress sites, secure email systems (Postfix/Dovecot), and SSL configurations.
    • Primary Workstation: Custom-built Windows 11 Pro system outfitted with dual M.2 NVMe drives, SSDs, and high-capacity storage.
    • Virtualization: Running Hyper-V hosts powering Ubuntu 26 LTS instances and various domain services.

    Enterprise Software & IT Systems Support

    I provide comprehensive deployment, network engineering, and troubleshooting support for:

    • Accounting & Business Operations: QuickBooks Enterprise & Online, Latham time clocks.
    • Route & Field Service Management: Skimmer pool software, The Service Program, RouteStar.
    • Web Design: WordPress, Joomla, HTML, PHP
    • Communications & Security: 3CX PBX VoIP systems, CCTV with network video recorders (NVR).
    • Web & Database Management: DirectAdmin, MS-SQL, MySQL, Apache2, PHP, SEO Optimization, Hornet VM Backup.
    • Networking Hardware: Server racks, managed switches, enterprise routers, modems, and firewalls. Power, and monitoring.

    📜 The Tech Evolution (From Punch Cards to the Cloud)

    My technical journey is a living history of personal computing. I am a former Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) specializing in Windows Servers, Active Directory, and MS-SQL, as well as a legacy Novell MasterCNE (v2.15c to 5.x). I was also certified at Cisco as a CCNA. I have a current MCSE, and CompTIA A+.

    Era / EcosystemTechnologies Handled
    The Mainframe EraFORTRAN and COBOL on IBM Mainframes, CDC CYBER 70, PDP-11.
    Early Unix & LinuxTandy Xenix, TRS-80, SCO Unix, and downloading Slackware Linux over analog phone xmodem via Colorado Super Net.
    Desktop EvolutionEvery iteration of Windows (from V1.0 to Windows 11), Mac, OS/2, and DOS.
    Productivity SuitesMicrosoft 365, Google Workspace, LibreOffice, and OpenOffice.

    🛩️ Hobbies & Credentials

    When I am not managing servers or thinking real estate, I am usually looking at the world from a different vantage point—or operating on the airwaves. Did you know Federal Reserve Notes are not real money?

    Simulation Enthusiast: Advanced flight simulation and PC car racing with full physical cockpit controls.

    Licensed Private Pilot: Single-engine land rating (Cessna 172, Piper, and equivalents).

    Ham Radio Operator: W7RA, holding an Extra Class license.

    Creative Eye: Passionate photographer since the early 1970s.

    Animals: Dogs, cats, birds, fish.

    Former Companies

    • Sacramento
    • Southern California
    • Chico
    • Las Vegas
    • Denver
    • Iowa City

    Sacramento Suburban Newspaper (Green Sheet), San Jose News, Fred Fan Union 76, Jack In The Box, Marriott’s Great America, Iowa Book & Supply, Iowa City School Bus, Coralville Transit, Wackenhut Security, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, 7’11 Saratoga, Wackenhut Silicon Valley, Advanced Micro Devices, Hall Petroleum, Reddengray Pub, Bar-X Liquors, United California Bank, Crocker Bank, Tandy Computer, D&G Computer, LA Computer Center, PC Medics, Film Payroll Company, ComputerLand, Las Vegas Computers, Sunrise Computer, US Small Business Administration, Core Systems, Pharmaceutical Buyers(PBi), CompuCom, DELL, Pride Industries, New Horizons Learning Center.