John December Biographical Statement

John December is an experienced Web developer, teacher, software creator, and freelance writer. He is the author of books, articles, chapters, journal articles, and online resources about the Internet and its evolution. His book The World Wide Web Unleashed (1994) was the first comprehensive guide to the World Wide Web, and his book Presenting Java (1995) was the first book published about the Java programming language. He founded, published, and edited Computer-Mediated Communication Magazine, shaping early conversations about online culture.

He holds degrees in mathematics, creative writing, computer science, and communication and rhetoric. He is currently a sophomore (undeclared major) at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

John has spoken to audiences worldwide about the Web and Internet. He has taught courses in computer science, expository writing, computer-mediated communication, and creative writing. Formerly, he developed software and graphical user interfaces at Boeing. His poetry has been published in many literary magazines, including Mid-American Review, Sou'wester, Passages North, and others. His photography has appeared in The Shepherd Express, Milwaukee Magazine, American City Calendars, Isthmus [Madison, Wisconsin], 30:30 Landscape Architecture, and has been exhibited and sold at Light Ideas Gallery and Urban Milwaukee--the Store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Born in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and after living in Kansas and New York State, he presently lives in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

A lifelong transit rider and living car-free for decades, he has made a special study of urban and transportation issues through reading, writing, project work, and advocacy, and presently serves as a member of the Community Advisory Group (CAG) for the City of Milwaukee's first transportation and mobility plan.