wally’s blog

This is correct as of 27/08/2009.
Please contact me (via email or phone) for a complete copy with postal address etc.

Profile

Keen programmer and recent Computer Science graduate.  Proven ability to work both individually and in a team – being both reliable and organised.  Spent the past year since graduation working for a small start-up business as a technical engineer – gaining experience in software development, QA, networking and technical support.  Work voluntarily as a web programmer and network administrator for several non-profit organisations.

Key Skills

Debian/Ubuntu Linux, Delphi/Pascal, C/C++, Java, PHP, MySQL, CSS, AJAX.  Regularly use Linux, OSX and Windows.

Very experienced operating and programming under Linux on both workstations and servers.

Education

Bachelor Degree, Essex University Hons (2:1)    2005-2008

Graduated in Computer Science in July 2008.

Researched, designed, implemented and presented a substantial individual final year project titled “Using Computer Vision for HCI”.

Chose to study modules regarding programming and embedded systems where possible; including Web Applications, Mobile Java Applications, Embedded Systems, Computer Vision, Robotics, Natural Language Engineering, Operating Systems, Project Management, and several languages (Java, C/C++, ASP.NET, Ruby)

Practical work for embedded system modules used the PIC16F8XX and ARM architectures.  Thoroughly enjoyed learning the principles and challenges presented when programming in a low resource environment.

A-Levels, Long Road VI Form College    2003-2005

Studied Computing (A), Electronics (C) and Physics (D) – with Foundation of Advanced Mathematics (B) and Level 3 Key Skills IT

GCSEs, Soham Village College    1999-2003

English Language (A), English Literature, Electronic Engineering, Physics, and Religious Studies (B), Maths, Biology, Business Studies, and Chemistry (C), French Language, IT, and Statistics (D)

Experience

Technical Engineer, Sharedband Ltd, IPSWICH    2008-2009

Brought Linux experience to a small start-up company providing bonded broadband solutions.
Took on a range of responsibilities from programming (C/Bash/Perl/PHP) to internal technical support and production server maintenance.  Managed the software release cycle and provided post-sales support to several major UK ISPs.

Took every opportunity to develop the software product.  Worked closely with the developers to locate, resolve and replicate issues in the product – regularly reading and modifying code.
Oversaw the company’s UK and US managed services: investigated Xen and VMWare for hosting 50+ Debian Linux servers, configured Zabbix and Nagios monitoring, wrote the company policy on server security and maintained production use mail, DNS and Sharedband servers.

(Voluntary) Programmer/Network Administrator, Pound Lane Free Church, ISLEHAM    2005-2009

Wired data cables during building construction, designed and implemented a complete network solution with a Linux based router, Samba PDC (providing a complete managed Windows domain), HTTP/mail servers, automated backups and both Linux and Windows workstations.

In spare time this configuration is maintained and extended – replacing ageing hardware with newer and affordable solutions as budgets allow.

Designed, host and maintain the church’s public website (http://plfc.org.uk), and wrote web applications for accounting, maintenance tracking, heating control and website administration (CMS).

(Work Experience) Quality Assurance, Cotag, CAMBRIDGE

Worked in a test lab for two weeks locating issues with existing and upcoming hardware and software releases.  Responsible for making daily reports to development.

Portfolio

An online portfolio of public websites and software can be viewed at http://soggysoftware.co.uk

Interests and Aspirations

Currently on-hold with a part-time distance degree in Theology.  In spare time reading, photography, acoustic guitar and keeping up-to date with open source projects.  Taking a practical approach to develop C and x86 assembler skills by writing a hobby Operating System.

Achievements

Certificate in Sun Microsystems’ Introduction to Solaris and opensolaris.org
Certificate in Basic Food Hygiene
Duke of Edinburgh Silver and Bronze

Additional Information

Full and clean drivers license.

References

References from both Sharedband Ltd and Pound Lane Free Church available on request.