What It's All About

Hello world,

My name is Alexander Garber and I am a junior web developer.  My main areas of interest are programming in Ruby and JavaScript (with an abiding affection for Python), Linux, open source software, process automation, and DevOps.

For building websites, I know my way around Rails, can put a site up on Heroku or AWS, and am currently working to improve my front-end skills — with a focus on Vue.js and React.

I called this blog Mission DevOps because, ultimately, I agree with the Lean and Agile principles at the heart of DevOps, and also to convey the sense of purpose that I bring to my daily work.

My Code To Date

Github: https://github.com/clockworkpc
Blog (if you're reading this elsewhere): https://missiondevops.blogspot.com.au/
Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/u/clockworkpc

Why do I want to become web developer?

I like to build things in code that solve real-world problems and it's a mighty fine way to make a living.  It's really as simple as that.

Why Ruby?

1. I enjoy coding in Ruby.  Although I'm a novice programmer, I have been BASHing in Linux for eight years and have dabbled in Python.  I know enough to judge that Ruby, Rails, JavaScript are pleasurable; PHP and .NET, not so much.  (Although others are free to like them!)
2. There is a great Ruby community in Melbourne.  I have attended a few meetups and the people are remarkably kind and encouraging.
3. Not unrelated to the previous point I suspect, there is demand for Ruby developers, so I will gladly follow the free market on this one.

Is Ruby my one and only true love?

No, I would be happy to learn any language that an employer needs, although my preference is for higher level open source languages.  I went with Ruby because I needed to learn the nuances of one language before trying learn others; it seems better to be fluent in two than stunted in ten.

Where am I now?

1. I know enough Ruby to confidently solve reasonably complex problems using it.
2. I know my way around rails.
3. My HTML and CSS are good enough for simple front-end work.
4. I have five months' commercial experience interning for Gleam.io.

What's the plan?

1. Upskill in HTML and CSS.
2. Become fluent in JavaScript.
3. Learn my way around Vue.js.
4. Learn my way around React.js
5. Solidify my knowledge of Rails.

To achieve these goals I will do the following:

1. Complete a couple of online courses on web development.
2. Build a language-learning web app.

What will success look like?

A junior position at a software company, working on front-end or back-end, with some degree of in-house training and mentoring.

Why would I need mentoring?

I won't pretend that I'm the complete package at this stage in my career: I shall need guidance in my first full-time paid position.  Having said that, I have a proven track record of getting up to speed quickly, identifying gaps in my knowledge, and using my time efficiently and effectively to improve.

What do I have to show for my efforts?

Languages, Applications, Areas of Competence

* Ruby, Python, BASH
* Ruby on Rails
* Object-oriented programming
* RSpec (Testing)
* Git (Version Control)
* Amazon Web Services
* Web Development (HTML/CSS, LAMP)
* Development Environment Management (Vagrant)
* Project and Task Management (Scrumm, Kanban, Agile)
* Linux Desktop and Server Administration (Ubuntu, CentOS)
* Public speaking and presentation

Education and Training

* Ruby course on http://CodeAcademy.com
* Learn Ruby the Hard Way, completed exercises: https://github.com/clockworkpc/learnrubythehardway
* Advent of Code, completed exercises: https://github.com/clockworkpc/advent-of-code

Scripts of Note

Before I settled on Ruby my focus was on DevOps tools, which is reflected in my recent accomplishments.  Bear in mind that I started looking into all this in July 2016.

• HTML/PHP/MySQL tool collect data from job advertisements, running reports on DevOps tools, to be rebuild in Ruby on Rails.
• Vagrantfile of a working CentOS7 box with a bootstrap script according to this spec sheet
• Vagrantfile of a working Ubuntu 16.04 EC2 instance
• Freight calculator in a Google Sheet.
• The same calculator as a PHP web page with a MySQL backend, hosted on an EC2 Ubuntu 16.04 instance  (Under construction)
• Python and BASH shell script generator, written in Python.
• Python shell script to combine audio, video, and desktop streams into a single video file.

Do I have a résumé?

My LinkedIn page is the freshest version of my résumé, but I can provide it in a traditional format.

Github?

My Github goes through periods of more activity, when I am actively building, and less activity, when I am concentrating on my studies.

Tell me more about your Linux and FOSS background

• Contributed source code in Python to the OpenShot project.
• Member of Linux Users Victoria and attended many meetings.
• Have run workshops for OpenShot Video Editor.

IT/Tech Experience?

• Five months internship at Gleam.io with John Sherwood.  Letter of reference available upon request.
• Former committee member of Linux Users Victoria.
• User-testing for the open source Openshot Video Editor project.
• Started a computer repair and IT service business, Clockwork PC in 2011.
• Built up a client base of 62 clients, and am still sought after for my services.
• Years of experience dealing with computer and network issues in the workplace