Education

Secondary:       Lewes Priory Comprehensive, Lewes, East Sussex, 9/76 to 6/83

9 ‘O’ levels, 1 ‘A’ level - Pure Maths, grade B

Tertiary            Brighton College of Technology, 9/85 to 6/86 evening classes only

                        ‘A’ Level Physics, grade B

Higher              Leeds University, 10/87 to 6/90

                        BEng(hons) in Mechanical Engineering 

Open University, 9/96 to 5/97

‘Computer Architecture and Operating Systems’ module passed. 15 points towards  the post graduate ‘Computing in Commerce and Industry’  course. 

Core skills

I am a web and systems developer using HTML, PHP, MySQL, Javascript and Fireworks. I am currently starting to use Java as well. I design the web site and maintenance systems for it at work [snip]and my own site at home (see [snip] - a correspondence chess site). I design dynamic database-driven and interactive sites using object orientated (including page template) techniques in PHP and normalised database design. As well as this I have designed MIS systems using dBase and Visual dBase. I have also programmed in C++, Pascal, Visual Basic and various Basics, and written applications using MS Access, MS Excel, Lotus 123 and Paradox (PAL). 

Last Permanent Employment

10/11/1997 to 30/11/2002

Systems Engineer at [snip], Bradford 

I resigned from position as the job was moving away from a development role and the development work that was left was not using up to date technology. 

St Ives Direct is part of a large commercial printing group. I started in ’97 as Software Development Engineer reporting to the IT manager and was the sole developer in the division. I developed in PHP/MySQL/Apache/ HTML/Javascript and dBase (Visual and DOS). 

Projects:

[snip]

This was my first major web project. It is written in PHP and MySQL and is hosted on St Ives Direct’s Apache server. It is written using object oriented programming techniques for page templates as well as a content management system, which includes contact info, key people, homepage text, posting news stories and job vacancies. The site has it’s own hit-counter with analysis tools and a search engine. All of these I wrote myself. 

Smiths Contact Management System

This is a contact management system requested by one the of on St Ives Direct’s subsidiary company. It uses object orientated programming techniques including page classes. It is designed to allow reps to record and access their own customers’ details, including any number of contacts and ‘reaches’. This is written using object-orientated PHP and MySQL. 

HECMIS System Mapping Tool

A tool for analysing the program flow within the on St Ives Direct’s MIS. The dBase source code is parsed into csv files, which are uploaded to the secure maintenance area where they are parsed into a MySQL database. The PHP front end uses object orientated programming techniques including page classes. It allows a user to list, for any program, the last release date, the version number, the header comments, the programs that call and are called by it and the tables used. They can also see the path(s) to any program. Table information can also be shown, including fields, indices and which programs use them. All references to programs and tables cross-link 

Chessish Internet Chess Site (www.chessish.com)

My own project which I host with Futurequest. This in an interactive chess-playing site based on the idea of correspondence chess. It is written using object orientated PHP and MySQL. It uses base page and game classes. It implements e-mailing to members (notification of moves, invites, messages, etc.) and image manipulation (creating printable boards). All games can viewed and replayed and there are alternative chess sets available. 

HECMIS (Hunters Estimating, Costing and Manufacturing Information System)

Continuing development of this was my first role with on St Ives Direct. It is a comprehensive MIS written in dBase5 covering all aspects of the firm’s business from production scheduling and monitoring to costing and invoicing.

Red Letter Costing System

A complete costing system built from scratch using Visual dBase. It includes production scheduling timesheet recording, purchase orders, invoices and costing. 

Previous Employment (most recent first)

22/3/1997 to 9/11/1997

[snip] Bank plc.

I was employed as a Management Information Officer, the intention being for me to redesign their manual reporting systems using MS Access or Foxpro. This project never started, hence my early departure. 

24/2/1992 to 21/3/1997

Housing Corporation, North East Regional Office, Leeds

My permanent position was as Programme Officer, however I unofficially fulfilled the IT support role in the office, doing this officially for two periods within this time. I was Regional Information Co-ordinator for 8 months (maternity cover) and Network Interface Project (temporay post during implementation of new network). During this time I wrote many small database applications using combinations of Access, Excel, Lotus 123 and Paradox(PAL). 

7/1991 to 2/1992

Batleys plc, Stourton, Leeds

Supervisor on catering (and later frozen foods) section in a ‘cash and carry’ warehouse. 

1/12/1983 to 31/8/1987

DHSS, Lewes Local Office

Administrative Officer 

The remaining periods were spent in various temporary clerical jobs. 

Interests. 

I have ridden and maintained my own motorcycles since 1983, including restoring a 1957 Triumph Tiger Cub. I was treasurer of the Leeds University Motorcycle Club and now travel and attend rallies throughout the British Isles.

I played Table Tennis for 15 years. I ran teams in the local league before going to University and was captain of Leeds University Team.

I have studied Wing Chun since 1993 and am interested in ancient and modern philosophy. I read a lot, listen to music and play chess. I have a full driving licence. 

References 

On Request