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An expert in internet technology, I code fluently in several languages including Perl, Python and Java. I can pick up new languages as I use them. I have designed and implemented database-driven applications for the web using MySQL, Oracle and Microsoft Access/ASP. I am an expert at efficient web design, including image optimization, html, css, javascript and ajax. I know the internet is larger than the web - smtp dns, peer to peer, ssl, zombies, security.
I run my own internet server and provide advanced internet hosting. I work well on my own or as part of a team. I am able to accept other's opinions and admit mistakes.
Although my focus is internet technology, I have skills ranging from wiring and circuit-design to fractals and animation. I am also versed in many applications, utilities and other tools. I feel that an understanding of many specialties increases my effectiveness in whatever I concentrate on.
I embrace new information. Gaps in my knowledge are golden opportunities to learn.
Design sense
- User: Practical, user-friendly and efficient design.
- Network: Secure, compatible and efficient use of the network.
- Database: Fast, efficient and logical relational data structures.
- Learning: Understanding and exploiting new technology.
- Expect the unexpected: Test failure modes as a normal part of development process.
The rest of this document deals with what I have done in the past. This is important to get a sense of who I am, but it says nothing about what I want to do in the future. I am always more interested in working in areas where I have no current experience.
Software Experience:
- Software development using Perl, PHP, C++, Java, Javascript, ASP, VBScript.
- Database development and administration including replication using MySQL or Oracle.
- Getting the most from Linux, FreeBSD or Solaris.
- Adminstering Internet servers using Apache, Squid, Sendmail, Postfix, Qmail, Bind, djbdns, rbldns
Employment:
2005-Present: I serve as a key resource at Ironport - advising them on SpamCop's direction as well as general issues related to unsolicited email, network security, scalability and other flavors of network warfare (denial of service attacks, data mining vs. poisoning, etc.).
In addition, I am pursuing other interests including a book and an open-source email-killer specification.
2003-2005: Spam specialist with Ironport. I acted as the guiding force behind SpamCop in addition to working with Ironport on other projects.
1997-2003: Consulting and SpamCop. Completed web-based projects for a variety of clients. See Consulting for details. See Work Examples for samples. While doing consulting, I started a project of my own: SpamCop. This site grew beyond my expectations - becoming the most popular spam reporting system on the net. It eventually became a company employing myself and a couple of helpers full time. In June of 2003, I sold the company to Ironport systems.
1995-1997: Communication Billing Technologies. I left my hometown of State College, PA for New York City and a job expanding CBT into the internet service industry. While I was there, we installed and configured over ten T1s with a variety of special configurations (including BGP failover). We developed applications to allow real-time updates of our legacy database systems over the web as well as designing new databases including a commerce system built from the ground up. I was personally responsible for purchasing new equipment, connecting and organizing our machine-room and multiple high-speed connections. I also wrote several C++ programs for CGI and half of a large Java application. I installed, administrated and used Oracle database software. I wrote several applications which used Microsoft Access as the user interface and Oracle as the data-store.
1990-1995: Master Computer. Working as service manager at Master Computer, I saw the company grow from a three employee mom-and-pop computer store to the largest (and best) computer store in State College. When I left, the company employed over twenty people and served thousands of customers ranging from first-time home users to large corporate accounts such as AccuWeather, muRata and Penn State University. Working closely with customers gave me a solid understanding of customer relations and business.
Background:
Born in New Zealand in 1971, I grew up in State College, Pennsylvania. I graduated from State College Area High School in 1989. Although I began a degree in Computer Science at the Pennsylvania State University, I moved to New York before finishing. I enjoy photography, camping and outdoor activities so Seattle was an obvious choice.
My computer experience began in fourth grade when I was part of the first generation of kids to use the original Apple II in school. This was my first exposure to programming (Logo, BASIC). I used, programmed and dissected my mother's IBM Portable Computer at home. I had my own Commodore VIC-20 (which, due to unreliable tape drive storage, was useless for any real programming) and finally graduated to my own IBM XT clone. This 8088 has grown gradually over the years as my primary workstation: (386SX-20, 486SX-25, 486DX2-66, Pentium 133, Pentium II-250, etc..) I have stopped keeping track. I use laptops as my primary workstation these days, currently an HP pavilion dv8000). My first networking experience was running a BBS in high-school the Jewel starting on the XT. I have been using and building networks ever since.