Donald Leka

Donald Leka
Education The American University, BA & MBA
Occupation Chairman & CEO of TransMedia Corporation (Glide OS)
Spouse(s) Claire Leka, Broadcast Journalist
Website

Glide OS

Jumptuit

Donald Leka is an Albanian American[1] entrepreneur in the information technology industry and pioneer in the cloud computing space. Mr. Leka is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of TransMedia Corporation,[2] the creator of the award winning cloud computing platform Glide OS[3] and its successor, Jumptuit.[4] Mr. Leka is also co-author of Cloud Computing: The Glide OS Story, Solving The Cross Platform Puzzle.[5][6]

Mr. Leka launched Glide OS in 2005, well before cloud computing became a popularized term.[7] Jeffrey S. Young, one of the founding editors of Macworld magazine and co-author of the bestseller iCon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business, described Glide as "one of the first 'Internet' operating systems, a browser based working and computing environment" that "demonstrates the first new competition for Apple and Microsoft since Digital Research’s GEM."[8]

Mr. Leka has cited the importance of cross-device, cross-platform compatibility and system integration in cloud computing design.[9] "Walter S. Mossberg, The Wall Street Journal’s principal technology columnist said of Glide OS at the All Things Digital Conference (AllThingsD) that, Glide is like 'world peace' between devices and platforms.”[10] Steve Wildstrom, writer and editor of BusinessWeek's personal technology column, "Technology & You," described Glide as providing "the closest thing I've seen to a set of universal applications."[11] However, Glide’s cross-platform service has also put the Company and Mr. Leka in the crosshairs with proprietary technology companies, most notably Apple. [12][13][14]

An early advocate of protecting user privacy rights in cloud computing services, Mr. Leka created the Glide Society in March 2006, a rules-based networking environment in the Glide OS with parental controls, digital rights management, and user preferences.[15] In August 2007, Mr. Leka announced the establishment of the Glide User's Bill of Rights in a "pledge" to protect personal data.[16]

In December 2007, Mr. Leka launched Glide Free, a feature-rich free email service designed to protect email privacy as an alternative to Google Gmail that scans personal emails "to generate contextually relevant ads"[17] In April 2009, Mr. Leka announced the launch of Kids' Glide to provide children with a safe online environment and parents with the tools to monitor child email accounts and other online activity.[18]

Glide has been featured in news publications including The New York Times,[19] USAToday,[20] and The Wall Street Journal,[21] and books including Cloud Computing Bible, by Barrie Sosinsky, [22] and Cloud Computing: Web-Based Applications That Change the Way You Work and Collaborate Online, by Michael Miller.[23]

Mr. Leka has been a featured speaker at the All Things Digital Conference,[24] Harvard Business School Cyberposium Technology Conference,[25] New York Tech Meetup (NYTM),[26] and TEDx.[27]

Mr. Leka is also the founder of the award winning Glide Health Corporation[28][29] launched at TechCrunch50[30] on September 15, 2009 and Glide Education Corporation.[31]

Biography

Mr. Leka is an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Finalist.[32]

Mr. Leka holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) as well as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in International Relations, both from The American University in Washington, DC.[33]

Mr. Leka is also a composer, arranger, and producer of classical and popular music.[34]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.american.edu/soc/success/20130731-donald-and-claire-leka.cfm
  2. ↑ Ron Miller, EContent Magazine
  3. ↑ John Paczkowski, AllThingsD TransMedia’s Glide
  4. ↑ Thomas Claburn, InformationWeek Jumptuit Delivers Interface As A Service
  5. ↑ The American University School of Communication News, In New Book Entrepreneurial Alumni Couple Keeps an Eye on the Cloud
  6. ↑ Cloud Computing – The Glide OS Story, Solving the Cross Platform Puzzle Portland Book Review, Reviewed by Ashley McCall
  7. ↑ Sam Gustin, Portfolio.com Get Your Head Out of the Clouds
  8. ↑ Jeffrey S. Young, ZDNet The Lord taketh and giveth away...even for Steve Jobs
  9. ↑ Marji McClure, Information Today TransMedia and Glide Integrate Compatibility and Collaboration
  10. ↑ Ken Hess, ZDnet Glide OS: An evolutionary leap into web-based desktops
  11. ↑ Steve Wildstrom, BusinessWeek Technology & You TransMedia's Glide OS
  12. ↑ Peter Himler, Forbes Apple Trashes A News Release
  13. ↑ GigaOM, Glide combines cloud accounts on iPhone but Apple seems upset about the message sent
  14. ↑ Steve Wildstrom, Techpinions, Apple’s Insularity Could Get Dangerous
  15. ↑ Thomas Claburn, InformationWeek Glide Looks To Improve Safety For Social Networking
  16. ↑ Thomas Claburn, InformationWeek Does Privacy Matter?
  17. ↑ Thomas Claburn, InformationWeek TransMedia Launches Ad-Free E-Mail
  18. ↑ Brian Osborne, Geek.com Makers of Glide OS to offer Kids’ Glide
  19. ↑ David Pogue, The New York Times Upload, Store, Play and Share in a Few Clicks
  20. ↑ USAToday Glide Effortless makes digital life on the Web a breeze
  21. ↑ Walt Mossberg, The Wall Street Journal Glide Online Service Has Good Potential, But Rough Edges
  22. ↑ Barrie Sosinsky, "Cloud Computing Bible"
  23. ↑ Michael Miller, "Cloud Computing: Web-Based Applications That Change the Way You Work and Collaborate Online"
  24. ↑ All Things Digital Conference (AllThingsD) Donald Leka Presents Glide OS
  25. ↑ Harvard Business School Cyberposium Conference
  26. ↑ New York Tech Meetup (NYTM) Glide Presentation
  27. ↑ Connecting Proprietary Platform and Cloud Silos: Donald Leka at TEDxTirana
  28. ↑ Thomas Claburn, InformationWeek Glide Health Makes Medical Records Mobile
  29. ↑ PCMag Google, Glide Move E-Health Programs Ahead
  30. ↑ TechCrunch Glide Health Lets Docs And Patients Access Health Records Across Mobile And Desktop Platforms
  31. ↑ THE Journal North Carolina District Pilots Cloud Computing Platform
  32. ↑ Source: Ernst & Young
  33. ↑ The American University, Alumni Success Story
  34. ↑ Music
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