Hi, I’m Irv Shapiro—though some folks still call me Dr. VAX, a nickname I picked up back in the day while working with VAX computers at Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). (Nope, nothing to do with vaccinations!) I’m not a medical doctor or a Ph.D., just a lifelong technologist, entrepreneur, and maker who’s passionate about learning and sharing knowledge.
‍
Over the last 45+ years, I’ve gone from leading engineering teams at DEC to founding and scaling three technology companies. I was the founding CEO of:

Metamor Technologies – a tech consulting firm focused on application development and integration that grew to over 1,200 professionals and went public as part of Metamor Worldwide.

Edventions – an education-focused tech startup that provided data-driven solutions for schools, acquired by Edison Schools.
‍
Dialogtech – a pioneering voice automation and call analytics platform for marketers. I scaled Dialogtech to hundreds of employees and thousands of customers before it was acquired by Invoca.
‍
These ventures gave me the chance to dive deep into a range of fields—software engineering, business strategy, education technology, cloud platforms, and AI. But no matter the role or industry, one thing remained constant: my love of learning, building, and mentoring.
‍
Today, through my MakeWithTech community and the Cogitations blog, I’m focusing on something I’ve always believed in—empowering everyday people to learn and create with technology. Whether it’s 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics, or DIY crafts, the tools of the maker world are more accessible than ever, and I’m here to help you get started.
‍
Now in my “retirement career,” I see this as a new beginning—a time to pick up new skills, explore new ideas, and even turn a hobby into a small business. With platforms like Etsy and eBay, it’s easier than ever to transform your creations into income, or simply share them with friends, family, and grandkids.
‍
If you enjoy learning, making things, and being part of a community that loves to create, you’ll feel right at home here. Let’s explore, tinker, and build—together.

All of the MakeWithTech properties are free to use with some limitations to keep costs under control.

Affiliate links found on this site and in the descriptions after our YouTube videos help to support out channel.

ShareASale Affiliate ID: GSOWIFBBSOWOFI3279176

Amazon Affiliate Partner
‍