2004-2005: BSc (Hons) Computing Informatics, Stage 3 Results
| Advanced Informatics | 47% |
| Advanced Networks 1 | 64% |
| Project | 53% |
| The Information Society | 45% |
| Graphics | 52% |
| Programming for Entertainment Systems | 57% |
| Object-Oriented Programming in SmallTalk | 36% |
2003-2004: BSc (Hons) Computing Informatics, Industrial Placement
2002-2003: BSc (Hons) Computing Informatics, Stage 2 Results
| Networks | 64% |
| Software Engineering 3 | 94% |
| Human-Computer Interaction | 66% |
| Databases | 68% |
| Computers and the Law | 53% |
| Integrating Project | 48% |
| Information Systems Development Environments | 51% |
| Systems Analysis and Design | 74% |
| Introduction to Operations Management | 63% |
| Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 53% |
Transfered to BSc (Hons) Computing Informatics
2001-2002: BSc Computing, Stage 1 Results
| Decision Support 1 | 64% |
| Software Engineering Principles | 96% |
| Decision Support 2 | 81% |
| Business Communication Skills 2 | 50% |
| Introduction to Business 2 | 62% |
| Computer Systems Architecture | 75% |
| Operating Systems | 50% |
| Software Engineering Practice | 67% |
| Introduction to Business 1 | 49% |
| Information Processing Systems | 58% |
| Information Technology Tools | 71% |
| Communication & System Analysis Skills | 63% |
| Physics | B |
| Mathematics | D |
| Chemistry | E |
| General Studies | E |
| Mathematics | A |
| Science (Double Award) | A |
| Geography | B |
| English Language | B |
| English Literature | B |
| French | C |
| Religious Education | C |
| Music | C |
| Graphics | C |
Working for a small web development business as a PHP developer working with mostly PostgreSQL with occasional Linux system administration tasks.
My main task is custom web software development using PHP, making use of the Zend Framework and Smarty templating system. As part of this I'm involved in the specification process for small to medium sized software projects requiring me to communicate directly with clients.
I am also involved in evaluating various Free and Open Source software for use as a base for custom development and for use within the company. Since Freeway Projects is a Magento Community Partner one of the packages with which I am familiar is the Magento e-commerce application.
Most of my projects are one-person tasks but on larger projects I work with two other people, another PHP developer and a graphic designer.
As the only technical person on the web team I was responsible for the administration of the LAMP stack used for the development and deployment of client sites.
Although I very much enjoyed working for DNA Advertising I found that I was not yet ready for taking on a role as senior programmer.
Working as part of a small team of web developers my main role was creating and modifying client's websites. Alongside this I was also responsible for administering two Linux servers and providing technical support to web hosting customers.
My favourite part of this job was learning how to integrate my code with external APIs and libraries such as mapping services and secure payment providers.
Since my previous employment at Smart-Data I have worked freelance doing website customisations and server maintenance for my former employer.
As the only web developer at Smart-Data my primary task was the implementation of a system to integrate data from the TEAM group of estate agents into HotProperty, an extension to the Joomla/Mambo CMS for managing property advertisments. I was also responsible for customisation of Joomla templates using PHP and CSS. The role required good knowledge of PHP, MySQL, Apache configuration, HTML and CSS.
http://www.studentsandrefugeestogether.com
A personal project done for free for Students and Refugees Together, a local charity. Involved the install of Wordpress and creation of a custom theme in order to provide an easy interface for non-technical staff to update the content of a small website.
During the final year of my degree I volunteered as Head Technical Officer and Webmaster for Termisoc, the University of Plymouth Computing Society. In this role I was required to maintain the society's website and administer three Linux servers which provided DNS, web hosting and e-mail services to members, requiring me to be proficient in installing and administering of Apache, PHP, MySQL and PostgreSQL. As I also provided technical support I also became familliar with various blogging, gallery and wiki software. Having taught myself PHP the previous year in order to maintain my own website I developed a calendar system for the society's website with a custom-built iCal/WebCal and RSS feed implemented in PHP with a MySQL backend.
For my industrial placement as part of my degree I took on the role of database applications programmer for a company based in North Devon. Working as part of a small team of developers for a mature ERP and CRM package my main role was to customise existing code and data-entry forms to meet customer needs, the code itself was written in Accell/SQL a 4GL language for the Unify database. I was also responsible for updating documentation and converting it into HTML.
My path into web development began when taught myself HTML and BASIC programming during my secondary education. After I completed my A Levels I chose to persue a degree in Computing and Informatics at the University of Plymouth. Now being a graduate with several years experience of professional web development under my belt I am still learning new skills and improving my abilities. Recently I have been studying for the Zend Certified PHP 5 Developer exam and have passed the mock exams with flying colours.
As well as programming I have also taught myself how to use Linux, first as a user during my time at university when I started experimenting with it after reading about it on the Internet and later with a view to administering servers for the university's computing society, Termisoc.
I found Linux to be an extremely useful tool for learning about server-side technologies such as databases (MySQL and PostgreSQL), web servers (Apache) and dynamically generated web documents (Perl and PHP). Learning about server administration has given me a better understanding of how my code works behind the scenes and has improved my ability to work with network protocols and other services.
As well as technical jobs I have also had experience of working with software from a user's point of view as a temporary data entry clerk. The experience has given me a better understanding of what it's like to work in such an environment and has also given me more insight as a developer into software usability.
I like to keep up-to-date with current events especially scientific or technological advances. I enjoy learning and often spend my personal time experimenting with different coding methods and techniques, keeping up to date with developments in Free and Open Source software and discussing things with my friends.
I enjoy attending technical events and conferences as it gives me the opportunity to travel and meet with other developers. I have previously attended LUG Radio Live (Wolverhampton), various BarCamps, Linux World Expo (London), FOSDEM (Brussels), The London Perl Workshop, BambooJuice (Cornwall, The Eden Project), Chaos Communication Camp (Finowfurt near Berlin, Germany). I am also a member of the Devon and Cornwall Linux Users Group.