I am an IT (Information Technology) professional who has over 16 years industry experience. I started my career a year after high school, where I was a Trainee – Computer Operator. From this first job I worked my way up into other professional roles, which helped with my thirst of knowledge.

Before I started my career, I had always been computer inclined. I started out with a Commodore 64 (C64), followed by an Commodore Amiga 500, before ending up with an IBM AT clone (386DX40). Of course many IBM AT clones followed, but that was the first and it was the time of Microsoft DOS operating system.

It was on the 386DX40 that I become heavily interested in BBS’s (Bulletin Boards) and set up my own BBS. It provided great enjoyment, and allowed me to meet a large number of like minded individuals. I was introduced to IBM OS/2 by another sysop (System Operator) and used this, as well as various other software products at the time. Who remembers Desqview?

I became interested in Linux around 1996, when it was recommended to me by Justin (sorry forget his surname) who I met while working at John Fairfax Publications. This opened up a number of doors over time, and allowed me to learn so much. It introduced me to things like shells, pine, screen, apache, sendmail, bind, qmail etc. Of course I used Microsoft Windows too, so had vast experience across multiple operating systems.

While I had used Macintosh systems previously, I was never a fan of OS 9 or below, however that all changed when I become Apple certified around ~2002. This introduced me to OS X and since it was Unix based, I was already Unix  aware so immediately liked it.

During my career I have had to do technical support for a number of vendor products, and these include but not limited to the following;

• NCR ImageMark
• EMC ControlCenter
• EMC StorageScope FLR
• EMC VisualSAN
• EMC VisualSRM
• CommVault Simpana 7, 8 and 9.

I currently hold a number of certifications, as outlined below (some of which have clearly expired as shown);

• Novell Linux Certified Linux Administrator (CLA)
• LPIC-1 Certified
• CommVault Certified Specialist – Storage
• CommVault Certified Specialist – Disaster Recovery
• CommVault Certified Support (v9)
• CommVault Certified Engineer (v9)
• CommVault Certified System Administrator (v9)
• MCITP: Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
• MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7
• EXIN ITILv3 Foundation
• MCITP: Server Administrator
• MCTS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization
• MCTS: Windows Server Virtualization, Configuring
• MCTS: Windows 7, Configuring
• MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
• MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
• MCTS: Microsoft Windows Vista Configuring
• EMC Proven Professional – Information Storage Associate (EMCISA)
• Apple Certified Desktop Technician (ACDT)  - Expired
• Apple Certified Portable Technician (ACPT) – Expired
• CNA 4.1 – Expired

My current goal is to complete LPI Level 1 and Level 2 certifications, and obtain some more Linux related certifications to help round out things. Bigger goal, to some day attend, complete and obtain RHCE. Exploring the costs associated with doing my VCP too.