About
Didn’t you promise you’d never blog?
Probably. However for a purely written content driven website a good blog system is perhaps the best CMS you’ll find. It is lovely to be able to say “that information is on my website” and also to record solutions that give it a month or two I’ll probably forget.
Employment
I am currently a home-based Linux Server / Helpdesk Administrator for an established web hosting company in the South of England.
In the past I have worked as a Systems Engineer at the Environment Agency and as a GIS Technician for a local highways office.
Technology
On a daily basis I work with CentOS, OpenSuse, Kubuntu and Windows. I spend a large portion of my time each day sorting out oddities created by the use of WHM / CPanel software and learning more about the environment in general. I harbour unfulfilled desires to learn everything about clustering and security but one step at a time eh?
I wrote the dissertation for my degree on Anonymity applications and try to keep my knowledge up in this field whenever I have some spare time, you can find the pages on this topic from the link above.
I am currently learning Rails and after having programmed web apps in ASP.NET for my Degree course, it’s a definite breath of fresh air.
Home Working
Many people ask me what it is like working from home, the short answer is that for all the downsides; intellectual (and occasionally physical) stimulation that you loose not having co-workers present in the same room (or stationary cupboard) there are upsides; no co-workers who insist on having the blinds closed in the summer with the electric lights on, no person sitting across from you who persistently tries to convert you to his religion or infect you with whatever winter delight he’s current carrying.
Not having to pretend I enjoy wearing business clothing such as a full suit is also liberating, however it is wise to wear something and maintain a certain level of grooming, remember fellas - home working can be hazardous to your relationship.
The major positive to focus on is that I get to stay home and have cheques mailed to me and I don’t do so through the use of a web cam.
Hobbies
In my spare time I write, constantly fiddle with my fish tanks, attempt to learn the Guitar and play the odd video game. I am currently drawing up plans for a house made of computer boxes, as this is the only way in which I will ever afford one. I am regularly cajoled / bribed / threatened into suggesting how friends, family and random strangers can fix whatever IT issue they are having. In this respect I am currently more popular than at least two major corporations IT Departments… I’m certain it isn’t because I’m cuter or that my telephone manner is better, so the reason why remains something of a mystery.
Rowan :: Dec.06.2006 :: Uncategorized ::