Jonathan Riddell, March 2004

Personal Details

Profile

A motivated individual with a broad knowledge of many areas of IT and solid practical experience. I have a desire to learn and further enhance my skills and to put into practice those I already have.

Computer Skills

• First person in Scotland to achieve Linux Professional Institute Level 1 Certification - verify
• Extensive experience of GNU/Linux, Solaris, Windows/DOS (all flavours) and MacOS Computers
• Relational Databases and SQL (MySQL, Oracle and Postgresql)
• Complete knowledge of good XHTML
• Graphic design and manipulation with GIMP and Adobe Photoshop
• Understanding of network design and implementation
• Actively maintain various web and mail servers
• Programming languages and technologies: C++, Cobol, Java, KDE, Perl, PHP, Qt, and XML
• Understanding of good software engineering and UML design

Work Experience

Computer Consultant, September 2003 onwards:

• Contracts include e-mail and web server support, a website hotel bookings database, website taxi booking system and company schedule database.

GNU/Linux distribution development, June - September 2003:

• Creating custom GNU/Linux Operating System for secure kiosks.
• Designed to work on a large range of legacy and modern systems with hardware detection.
• Evaluation of alternative distributions, development and testing of scripts for unattended installation and creation of upgrade procedures designed for security and minimal human intervention.

Demonstrator at University of Stirling, September 2002 - May 2003:

• Helping first and second year computing students with practicals
• Answering questions and offering support

Computer Support at George Watson's College, August - September 2002:

• Setting up, diagnosing and fixing problems with Mac OS 9 systems
• Administrating GNU/Linux servers
• Answering user's queries and problems

Database development at Fast Forward Positive Lifestyles Ltd, February - March 2002:

• Commercial database to handle all company events, contacts and mailing lists
• Designed and implemented backend database and user interface
• Built on MySQL and PHP
• Interfaces with word processor (MS Word) for mail merge and spreadsheets (MS Excel)

Website development at Central Radio Taxis, January 2002:

• From scratch webpage design and implementation
• http://www.taxis-edinburgh.co.uk
• Online booking system integrated with their current telephone booking system.
• WYSIWYG website maintenance Implemented for staff.
• Site developed with PHP, MySQL and Apache (on Linux)

Computer Support at Edinburgh University School of Informatics, Summer 2001:

• Work experience with computer support
• Performing daily duties (backup administration using AMANDA, user administration, investigating faults)
• Help desk
• Installing new hardware and diagnosing faults in existing hardware
• Upgrading network (thin-net to Cat 5)

Education

First class degree Bsc (Hons) Computing Science from The University of Stirling. 1999 - 2003

• Courses included Software Engineering, Computer Systems, Commercial Systems Development, Object Orientated design, Databases and Human Interface Design.
• Gained experience in a number of programming language types (e.g. Java, Cobol, Prolog) and system environments as part of the course.

Senior School: George Watson's College

Qualifications:

• 2 'A' Grade CSYS - Chemistry, Maths
• 5 'A' Grade Highers - Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Maths, Physics
• 2 'B' Grade Highers - English, French

Other Work

Umbrello UML Modeller

• Project Administrator for Umbrello UML Modeller - http://uml.sf.net
• A complete Free Software UML diagramming tool for KDE (Unix)
• Developed with an open source bazaar development method

Stirling University Residences Network Support Team

• Active member of the student team which helps people having trouble connecting their computers to the University's network
• In the field diagnosing and fixing of diverse range of Windows machines
• Direct contact with the public

European and Middle East Young Friends

• Treasurer and trustee of UK charitable committee, responsible for bookkeeping and fundraising.
• Organised Spring Gathering 2002, a week long event for Quakers in or near Europe.

Interests and Achievements

• Full clean driving licence
• Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
• Member of Friends (Quaker) meetings
• Edinburgh Scouts Leader Course
• Finalist in ScotlandIS Young Software Engineer of the Year Award 2003.

References