My blog of Technology, Javascript, CSS, Databases, Mongo, Docker, TDD, Blockchain, Data structures, and anything else I'm into

I have been passionate about programming since my first computer course instructor, Colin Patrick Brown, showed me how to convert numbers to binary. He then showed me hexadecimal, and octal. Mind. Blown. That course covered JSP,SSADM, Flow Schemas,COBOL, a smidgeon of C. Such a great course. That was just before the Millennium Bug - hence learnign COBOL.

I decided to take my knowledge further by starting a BSC (hons) in Multimedia Computing at Northumbria University. That course was great because I could use the experience I had with Video and Animation and combine it with programming. It was a "sandwich course" meaning the third year was a placement. I got a job with the School of the Built Environment at the same University and had a great time. I still have friends from there today.

After graduating I got a job with the University web team, led by a great guy called Christ Thompson. He was the one who got me into CSS and semantic HTML. I learned a lot from him. Also learned from a great programmer called Paul Diston who taught me a lot too.

Next step was working for 'The Design Group'. They did a lot of work for Proctor and Gamble so I worked on some cool projects. I wasn't as famous as washing powder, but I did build a site for Lenor 'in the pink' fabric softener. That was a great one. That came well under deadline, quality code too. The company was an old fashioned design studio for print unfortunately, so they didn't push the digital side of things.

The next opportunity for me was a contract role with the Home Housing group. What a great bunch of people they are Jawad, Malcolm, Andy, Ronan. I had such a great time with them and did a lot of really interesting work. I learned a lot from Lee McIvor who was the lead dev and gave me my first break.

I went on to doing sites for Nigel Wright recruitment, IMAS, Benfield Motors, Profero, BBC WW, LBi, AKQA, Yell.com, Macmillan English Campus, DK/Penguin (Idiotsguides.com, dkfindout.com), Home Office.

I've had a lot of experience over the years working with various technologies. I got into crypto the tail end of 2015 when I heard Vitalik Buterin give a talk on Ethereum. I felt that this was a game changer. I then decided to move into the Blockchain space and worked at a couple of Blockchain startups.

I love art and have been painting/drawing a lot recently. I have anEtsy shopwith a few examples of oil and mixed media.