• Senior developer at two government-approved high-security Data Centres.
• Lead developer, trainer, and research & development scientist at MoD premises.
• Head of IT and developer of all projects for a digital mapping company.

I’m a ‘language-agnostic’ developer. That means I have no specific dependency or preference to any particular language, and often use several at once.

I do have a GitHub page. This currently hosts an emulator I wrote, which was built entirely to give you a small example of what I can create.

Languages I have used include:

• Python 3.x (and 2.x)
• Delphi/Pascal
• Visual Basic
• VBA
• MapBasic
• Avenue
• HTML/CSS
• NSIS custom installer
• AutoIt
• MAXScript
• SQL of various types
• Assembly language & hand-assembled machine code
• Many terminal scripting languages
• My own programming languages and interpreters

Experience with writing, but mostly porting code, in:

• Java
• C and C++

Some experience (modding/extending code) with:

• PHP
• Javascript
• C#
• Go (aka Golang)
• VB.NET
• Perl
• Ruby

These are some of the tools I have used with my (and others’) code:

• Git
• Gerrit
• Jenkins
• Docker

• Linux — various distros, such as Debian, Ubuntu, Tiny Core, and embedded systems with/without BusyBox binaries. GUIs used include KDE (my favourite for development), Gnome, Unity, Cinnamon, MATE and FLWM (for limited systems). Terminal parsers include bash, sh and ksh.
• Windows Server 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008 R2, 2008 and 2003.
• Windows Active Directory, including sufficient knowledge to automate asynchronous, co-operative setups of entire forests, domains, servers, clients, and users/groups.
• Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP and almost all editions before that, right back to Windows 3.1.
• Mac OS X networks with VMs and automated setups.
• A variety of e-mail servers — including free and open source ones.
• Third-party servers — such as web mapping servers.
• HTTP servers, including NGINX and Apache. Installations on multiple domains, with various add-ons that improve security or add other features.
• FTP servers of several types.
• Proxy servers and other filtering systems.
• Firewalls — raw filtering commands, and lots of software, e.g. ‘pfSense’.
• SQL servers — like MySQL and PostgreSQL, with multi-dimensional/spatial capabilities.
• Caches — such as ‘Squid’.

• Microsoft Visual Studio Code
• Django 2.x (and 1.x)
• Zabbix (extensively)
• Microsoft Office (including Access, Excel, Word, Outlook, etc)
• Adobe Photoshop
• OpenOffice & LibreOffice
• WorldViz Vizard
• AutoDesk 3DS Max
• MapInfo
• ArcGIS
• ArcView 3.x
• ERDAS Imagine
• PostgreSQL & MySQL
• …and literally hundreds of others.

• Xen (+ code integration)
• Oracle VirtualBox (+ extensive use of API)
• Vagrant
• VMWare
• Microsoft Virtual PC
• Q for Macintosh
• Various emulators for other CPU architectures

• Linux iptables — I wrote the customer IPv6 firewalling in the previous Data Centre role.
• Manual configuration of hardware and software firewalls.
• Configuration of ‘managed’ network switches and routers (HP and Cisco to date).
• VLANs and other types of network segmentation.
• Security testing server-based products for holes.
• Usage of protocol analysis tools such as Wireshark and TCPDump.
• Wiring PC and phone networks (I have the proper punchers, crimper, wire-strippers/pullers, and a proper tester to guarantee quality).
• I have designed Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols, and written RFC-compatible specifications.

• Recreating partition table information without damaging the partitions in place (for example, fixing the format identifier when the partition’s format becomes unrecognised).
• Recovering data from very ‘stubborn’ drives that are throwing up many errors, but are still spinning. Some drives have a tendency to lock up systems when defective sectors are read with regular recovery software, and running ‘chkdsk’ can actually cause loss of data in certain circumstances!
• Raw sector editing and duplication (meaning I can safely backup and edit almost any disks, even ones with special formats or file system problems).
• Effective repair and rebuilding of information tables (like the MFT) and file system structures, by using Indices and other data scattered on the storage media.

• Dismantling/fault diagnosis and repair of PCs and laptops.
• Motherboard soldering (e.g. removing and replacing USB ports and power jacks on laptops).
• UART/TTL programming for custom devices.
• Embedded device reprogramming and unbricking.
• Fixing various faults with mobile phones.
• Repairing plotters and printers (laser and inkjet).

• Digital Forensics — previously taught all of it, also wrote all the recent practical exercises.
• CompTIA A+ — previously taught almost all of it.
• CompTIA Network+ / Security+ — mostly supporting practical exercises, some training.
• Microsoft MCSA — mostly supporting practical exercises, some training.

Note that I do not claim to be officially certified in these, but I have covered for other instructors on many occasions. I also wrote the scriptable mock exam software for all of these courses.

I have at least six good quality (and honest) references, offered by previous employers and colleagues. Please contact me if you would like any of their details.

I am:

1. An innovator: I can create solutions to problems and not just temporarily fix them. If a problem persists on a server, I am likely to be able to create a workaround to automatically monitor and repair the problem.
2. An automation expert: Automating many lengthy Admin tasks means jobs get done faster.
3. A continuous learner: I keep learning even when working and frequently experiment by trying out new software and operating systems in my own time — meaning you get an employee who stays ‘up to date’ and embraces new technology.
4. A team player: I like to work with others and get along with nearly everybody.
5. A problem solver: I consider that I should be able to solve all computer-related problems myself.
6. A tutor: I can teach others the technical sides of what I do, even if they are not as technically minded.
7. A fixer: I’m happy dismantling most office equipment, not just PCs.
8. A user of practical skill: I spent the time setting up a server at home and putting together this website showcasing what I can do, so you’ve got more than just a piece of paper in your hands.
9. A designer: I write tools Admins use — I don’t just use them.
10. A money saver: View how I saved my previous company 99% on premium software.
11. A productivity booster: I have boosted other people’s productivity by as much as 50%, with just 4 days’ work.
12. A helper: It pays to listen to what my colleagues have to say. I can often offer helpful advice or assistance.
13. A person who makes life easier: I make computers work for others. If someone needs functionality, I try to create it.