IT Systems Manager, School of Management and Languages, Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Current
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- IT Systems Manager at Heriot-Watt University
- Past
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- Computing Officer at University of Edinburgh
- Microlab / Novell Systems Manager at University of Edinburgh
- Computing Officer at Institute for Terrestrial Ecology
- VAX/VMS Operator at British Geological Survey
- Research Associate (Medical Physics) at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
- PhD Student at University of Edinburgh
- Education
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- The University of Edinburgh
- The University of Edinburgh
- Connections
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7
connections
- Industry
- Information Technology and Services
- Websites
Duncan Potter’s Summary
IT Systems Manager, with 12 years of experience.
Currently working with VMware Infrastructure III, Suse Linux 10.1, Windows Server 2003 and NetWare 6.0. Embarking on SAN management (2008).
My background is in astrophysics (BSc) with postgraduate work (Physics) centering around using electro-optical devices to perform image processing tasks such as pattern recognition. I've also have experience in radio-frequency electronic design/manufacture as a research associate in the field of Medical Physics.
Duncan Potter’s Specialties:
Systems Management, Suse Linux, NetWare, VMware, Apache, MySQL, PERL/PHP.
Physicist.
Duncan Potter’s Experience
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IT Systems Manager
Heriot-Watt University
(Educational Institution; 501-1000 employees; Higher Education industry)
August 1998 — Present (11 years)
Systems Management - design, operation, installation, management of Novell NetWare 6.0 servers and Windows 2000/XP desktops.
Project Management - for example migration of core technologies (Novell to Windows server); planning/building state-of-the-art Language microlabs requiring a dozen separate experts & companies to integrate highly complex technologies seemlessly.
Programming & Scripting - Perl, PHP, Kixtart, Javascript, HTML/CSS, DOS, Delphi (Visual Pascal)
Database Design - primarily using MySQL with PHP interface (Apache32)
IT resource/finance management - of 120 staff and postgraduates in a multilingual environment.
In-depth IT skills - webserver / database server design & configuration; advanced Windows configuration (security policies, roaming profiles, programming, upgrading) -
Computing Officer
University of Edinburgh
(Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Higher Education industry)
August 1994 — September 1998 (4 years 2 months)
Edinburgh University Computing Services (EUCS).
- 50-50 timeshare post while also acting as Microlab/Novell Manager, Graduate School for Social Sciences, University of Edinburgh
Duties:
Provide telephone helpdesk and hands-on IT support for the Faculty of Social Science as part of a small team. The Faculty included the departments of Architecture, Archaeology, Sociology, Psychology and Economics.
Act as the primary IT support team contact for the Department of Archaeology.
Provide UNIX support (BASH shell scripting, printing, PINE, LaTEX) to the Faculty including leading formal training of staff and postgraduate students ('Introduction to UNIX' course).
Act as course tutor on other formal courses ('Introduction to Windows', 'Introduction to Word').
Fault-find & install hardware and software on PCs / Apple MacIntosh computers; configure networking under Novell NetWare 3.12/4.11 (IPX,TCP/IP) -
Microlab / Novell Systems Manager
University of Edinburgh
(Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Higher Education industry)
August 1994 — September 1998 (4 years 2 months)
Graduate School for Social Sciences, University of Edinburgh
- 50-50 timeshare post while acting as Computing Officer, Edinburgh University Computing Services.
Duties:
Install and manage Novell 3.11 & 4.11 file servers serving both the Graduate School and postgraduate student microlabs.
Install and configure both Apple MacIntosh (System 8) and Windows 12-seater microlabs (Windows 3.11/ Windows 98) in the Graduate School for Social Sciences.
Technical Skills Required:
Delphi (Visual Pascal) programming, DOS batch scripting, Windows Registry editing, Microsoft 'Policies & Profiles', advanced knowledge of PC hardware, Windows/MacIntosh operating systems. Novell system adminstration (printing, security, account management). -
Computing Officer
Institute for Terrestrial Ecology
(Government Agency; 51-200 employees; Research industry)
January 1994 — May 1994 (5 months)
Five month temporary post to cover extended leave, employed by Natural Environment Research Council. The Institute for Terrestrial Ecology, Bush Estates, Penicuik, Edinburgh has since merged to be part of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Core Duties
Providing IT Support for researchers on their NetWare 3.11 server using Windows 3.11
Fault-find 10BaseT ethernet network when required.
The post also required some Visual Basic programming in support of processing data collected by researchers. -
VAX/VMS Operator
British Geological Survey
(Educational Institution; 51-200 employees; Research industry)
October 1993 — January 1994 (4 months)
Three-month temporary post to cover maternity leave, employed by Natural Environment Research Council, at British Geological Survey, Murchison House, Edinburgh.
Core Duties
Operator of DEC VAX and MicroVax cluster.
Manage multiple printers in production of high-resolution geological maps (paper, toner, queue management).
Fault-find 10Base2 ethernet network when required. -
Research Associate (Medical Physics)
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
(Educational Institution; 501-1000 employees; Research industry)
April 1992 — May 1993 (1 year 2 months)
One year research post based in the Department of Medical Physics, (old) Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh.
Core Duties
Develop techniques and equipment to test medical Doppler Ultrasound scanner equipment.
Design, fabricate and test radio-frequency electronic test equipment (phantoms). -
PhD Student
University of Edinburgh
(Information Technology and Services industry)
1988 — 1991 (3 years)
Duncan Potter’s Education
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The University of Edinburgh
PhD , Physics (Elecro-optical image processing) , 1988 — 1991
Thesis: "Phase-Only Optical Information Processing using a 16x16 Spatial Light Modulator"
Pattern recognition using electro-optical image processing via binary mode, phase-only filters in the Fourier plane of an optical image processing bench.
Computational modelling of optimum algorithms for pattern recognition / correlation purposes with experimental verification (FORTRAN 77).
Development of a phase-only, nematic liquid crystal, spatial light modulator microchip using the "Field Induced Birefringence" effect.
Mathematical modelling of the spectrum observed in the phase-contrast microscope using a multiple convolution Bessel function approach. -
The University of Edinburgh
BSc Hons 1st Class , Astrophysics , 1984 — 1988
* Astronomical Instrumentation
Imaging spectrometers, x-ray spectrometers, electronic design.
* Physical Optics
Fourier optics, image processing.
* Electromagnetism
* Matter & Radiation Interactions I/II
Model atmospheres, radiative transfer theory.
* Cosmology
* Special Relativity
* Quantum Physics
* LASER Physics
* Stellar Structure
* Thermodynamics
* Statistical Physics
* Electronics / Oceanography
Half-time courses in 2nd year.
Additional Information
Duncan Potter’s Websites:
Duncan Potter’s Interests:
Astronomy, anthropology, technology, physics
Duncan Potter’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
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- job inquiries
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- reference requests
- getting back in touch
