In computing, he was an early promoter of virtual machines,[9] which led to work promoting UNIX and software tools at Intel headquarters during the 80386 project, and the creation of several production domain-specific languages.[10] He built languages and authoring tools for the first consumer in-car navigation systems, and the first mobile traffic app,[11] and built the first fullscreen mobile apps for Google,[12] and for eBay
.[13] He introduced the idea of 'unfolding programming sequences',[14] and the category of 'operational grammars' with the programming language 'grogix'.[15] He writes about foundation problems in computing philosophy,[16] and presents on the application of software to urban issues.[17][18]
His community organizing closely follows his research and writing for RAIN Magazine. He co-founded two special-purpose community centers, which were also local business incubators: the Center for Appropriate Transport and the Tango Center in Eugene, Oregon. Defending the Tango Center led to a ballot measure that temporarily defunded Urban Renewal in downtown Eugene, Measure 20–134 in November 2007, which may be the central factor in its rejuvenation.[17][19][20]