Summary
OBJECTIVE: To secure a software development contract position in an organization that seeks to produce innovative, easy-to-use, elegant, stable, standards-compliant software and that values creativity, initiative and technical excellence.
I am a graduate IT professional, classically trained musician, philosophy graduate, teacher and writer.
My commercial software development experience has been gained in a diverse number of environments including investment banking (Barclays Capital), a small start-up (Xmonic) a large public sector project (for the Council of Europe) and the NHS (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health).
I can offer expertise in:
- Open-source technologies:
- Python
- Django
- MySQL / PostgreSQL / SQLite
- GIT / Subversion
- Linux
- Microsoft based technologies:
- C# / .NET 2.0/3.5
- ASP.NET
- Winforms
- SQL Server 2000/2005
- nUnit
- Web based technologies:
- (X)HTML
- CSS
- Javascript / AJAX (especially jQuery)
- XML
- Web-services
- Semantic web: Microformats / RDFa
- RSS/ATOM
- REST
- Development methodologies:
- Agile Development
- Object Oriented Design
- eXtreme Programming
- Test driven development
I am highly motivated, a team player, enthusiastic to learn new technologies and skills, possess superb communication and inter-personal skills, have a strong sense of professionalism and take pride in my work.
Examples of my FOSS code can be found on:
- GitHub - http://github.com/ntoll
- Sourceforge - http://sourceforge.net/projects/aimlbot/
Employment History
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health - ASSET
I am lead developer on a Django based web-application for internal use within the RCPCH for gathering assessments and reporting on the progress of trainee paediatricians in the UK. I’ve been involved in all aspects of the project including client-facing requirements capture, writing technical reports, architecture design, coding, testing, deployment and client support. The client reported that this was the first IT project they have been involved in where the product was delivered on time, under-budget and better than specified. The development phase of this project is now coming to a close.
Technologies used:
- Python
- Django
- PostgreSQL / SQLite
- XHTML (strict)
- CSS
- Javascript / jQuery / Ajax
- PDF reporting (ReportLab)
- GIT
TalentTool
An easy-to-use web-based commercial applicant management system for HR departments. Currently in development it makes use of Microformats in the presentation / mark-up of data, contains an easy-to-use workflow engine and implements a RESTful API. After discussions with @jtauber the Microformats and workflow applications are being further developed for inclusion in Pinax.
Technologies used:
- Python
- Django
- Pinax (wiki, messaging, OpenID etc)
- PostgreSQL / SQLite
- Microformats
- XHTML (strict)
- CSS
- Javascript / jQuery / Ajax
- GIT
I worked as a software engineer within the Development Tools team with responsibility for designing and delivering bespoke software solutions (both web and desktop based):
- ASP.NET / C# / SQL Server 2005 based website for administering a self-service knowledge base to support help-desk colleagues.
- Sharepoint web-parts that expose a product support knowledge base and automate the generation of support tickets within a Jira based issue tracker via SOAP based API.
- C# based library / framework for working with Perforce SCM product.
- Winforms / .NET based desktop client tools to enhance the Perforce SCM client GUI (implementation of shelving / un-shelving, “smart” integration / merging, various performance improvements).
Other responsibilities include helping to administer and support the various services and applications that the team provides to “clients” within the bank:
- Sharepoint based knowledge base
- Jira issue tracking system
- Confluence Enterprise Wiki
- Perforce SCM
- MediaWiki based team wiki
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
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/
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
- 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).
