+44 (0)7813071872 (cell)
Summary
I am a graduate IT professional, classically trained musician, philosophy graduate, teacher and writer.
My professional experience and qualifications within IT, music and education enable me to offer the following strengths:
- Microsoft based technologies: .NET, C#, ASP.NET, SQL Server, nUnit.
- Open-source technologies: Linux, Ruby, Ruby on Rails, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Subversion, Apache.
- Web based technologies: (X)HTML, CSS, Javascript / AJAX, XML, Web-services, Microfomats, RSS/ATOM, REST.
- Development methodologies: Agile development, Object Oriented Design, eXtreme Programming, test driven development.
Employment History
Currently working in the Development Tools team as a software engineer writing bespoke software solutions (both web and desktop based):
Technologies used:
- C# / ASP.NET / ADO.NET (2.0-3.5)
- SQL Server 2000 / 2005
- Sharepoint Server 2007
- Perforce (source control)
- Winforms
- Click-once
- XHTML / Javascript / CSS
- Web Services / SOAP
- XML
- nUnit
- Visual Studio 2003 / 2005
- InstallShield
Development of two projects with a view to commercial development:
AIMLBot
An open-source natural language processing "chat-bot" based on the AIML standard written in C#. I am currently working on developing this "basic" free version into an enterprise / commercial solution. I have also recently joined the AIML standards committee.
Technologies used:
- C# (1.1 and 2.0) on .Net 1.1/2.0 and Mono.
- XML (AIML is a dialect of XML)
- nUnit
- Winforms
- Web-services
- Subversion (source control)
- Windows XP/Linux
The source code for this project is available for public viewing at :
http://aimlbot.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/aimlbot/
TalentTool
An easy-to-use web-based commercial candidate management system for HR teams in small to medium sized businesses. It is currently in development and makes heavy use of Microformats in the presentation/mark-up of data and implements a REST based architecture.
Technologies used:
- Ruby
- Ruby on Rails
- MySQL
- Microformats
- XHTML
- CSS
- Javascript
- The Scriptaculous and Prototype Javascript/AJAX libraries.
- Subversion
I was lead developer / architect on two contracts:
- Council of Europe - Both the public and internal facing aspects of a bespoke web-based recruitment application for the Council of Europe. I was involved in all aspects of the project including client-facing requirements capture, writing technical reports, architecture design, coding, testing, writing documentation and deployment. I also developed an Object-Relational database abstraction layer and various generic "helper" classes for internationalisation and the production of PDF documents for this project.
- Rockpools - A web-based financials package for Rockpools to be integrated into their own legacy bespoke CMS (written in a mixture of C# and VB.NET). I was involved in all aspects of the project including client-facing requirements capture, architecture design, coding, testing, documentation and deployment.
Both projects used the following technologies:
- C# (1.1)
- ASP.NET (1.1)
- ADO.NET
- SQL Server
- IIS
- Javascript
- (X)HTML
- CSS
- Sourcesafe
In addition, I provided consultation to Bis-Web on the agile development methodology, coding standards and best practices, improvements in source control (using Subversion), testing with nUnit, Lucene search technology and the hiring / testing of potential new software developers (I wrote their practical tests and took part in and advised upon several job interviews). I also mentored some of their new and junior developers.
I was part of a small (start-up) team that developed a web based business tool (RM3) for strategic account managers in large multi-national businesses. In addition to web-application development I was responsible for an expert system and natural language conversational agent.
Technologies used:
- C#
- ASP.NET
- ADO.NET
- SQL Server
- IIS
- Winforms
- Javascript
- HTML
- CSS
- Sourcesafe
- nUnit
I wrote several articles and reviews on music hardware and software, Linux and IT in education whilst studying for my MSc in Computing.
UK State Education, Berkshire, UK
I was a head of an inner-city Secondary (High School) music department and then a freelance music teacher. I organised / took part in:
- classroom teaching for students aged 11-18
- school concerts and drama productions
- various adult education theory and piano courses
- instrumental lessons from kindergarten to university level
- conducting
- composing and arranging
Self Employed, London, UK
Performed on / took part in:
- national and local radio
- national and local television
- most of U.K.'s major concert halls and venues
- various C.D.s as a session musician
- tours of U.K., Europe and Asia
- Capital Brass Quintet (founding member)
- composing and arranging
Although I no longer work professionally I still play at a high level (I was the soloist in a performance of Vaughan-Williams's Tuba concerto in June 2008).