
Senior Software Architect
Glasgow, United Kingdom

Senior Software Architect
Glasgow, United Kingdom
I have been a developer since I graduated from university in 2000 and I spent one horrible year using ASP3 before .NET was released in 2001. I primarily program in VB.NET, but as most examples are in C# I need to be able to translate. In 2005 I started working with Visual Studio 2005 Team System, then a fledgling but stable, once you got it installed, product and I have worked with every version since then.
I started a blog in June 2006 and I have blogged on many Microsoft related topics including VSTS, SharePoint, Windows 7, WPF, VB, .NET, WCF as well as non development topics such as Dyslexia.
Being a dyslexic developer I don’t know if having a larger right-hemisphere in my brain and "unusual wiring" has helped me be a better developer, but it has made the ride exiting. The only problem with being a dyslexic is the stigmata attached with it and peoples lack of understanding, the rest… the result of being dyslexic… is actually a benefit in a programmer such as 3-D visualization ability; creative problem solving skills; and intuitive people skills.
In October 2008 I was Awarded a Microsoft MVP in Visual Studio Team System (VSTS) which allowed me much more interaction into the product teams. There is a unique element of trust between those on the VSTS Champs list and Microsoft that allows a much closer level of integration and exposure between the VSTS MVP’s and Microsoft.
This has lead to my involvement with VSTS2010 prior to and in between public betas. and some work with the version after that.
Where many MVPs speak at events and do presentations, or work as TFS consultants, I have, so far, stuck to my comfort zone and developed a number of open source application and tools for TFS. Over the past few years I have become a moderator on the Microsoft Answers for Vista forum as well as the new Microsoft Answers for Windows 7. I have participated in the MSDN forums for VB, WPF, WCF and VSTS.
* In-depth knowledge of .NET 3.5 (VB9,LINQ), .NET 3.0 (WCF), .NET 2.0
* Superb understanding of Service Orientated Architecture and Software Factories.
* Solid working knowledge of all Win32 platforms.
* Experience in client-server TCP messaging system
* Excellent understanding of e-Mentoring and other relationship management systems.
* Solid knowlage of Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server 2007 and Windows Sharepoint Services 3.0 and Visual Studio 2005 Team Foundation Server
(Privately Held; Information Technology and Services industry)
October 2009 — Present (2 months)
In my new role at SSW I will be tasked with:
- bringing SSW’s rules to European clients
- helping organisations be more proactive with the Visual Studio 2010 ALM offering
- migrating TFS 2005 and TFS 2008 customers to the joys of TFS 2010
- enabling SSW to have 24 hour operations
On top of this I will be using SharePoint 2010 and CRM 2005 in order to implement intranets and CRM for clients.
Its going to be a fun ride, and if you want to take your company to the next step and you are in Europe, please contact me.
Projects:
- Deploy Visual Studio 2010 Team Foundation Server beta 2 to SSW - Done
http://blog.hinshelwood.com/archive/2009/10/25/deploying-visual-studio-2010-team-foundation-server-beta-2.aspx
(Public Company; MSFT; Computer Software industry)
October 2008 — Present (1 year 2 months)
In October 2008 I was Awarded a Microsoft MVP in Visual Studio Team System (VSTS) which allowed me much more interaction into the product teams. There is a unique element of trust between those on the VSTS Champs list and Microsoft that allows a much closer level of integration and exposure between the VSTS MVP’s and Microsoft.
This has lead to my involvement with VSTS2010 prior to and in between public betas. and some work with the version after that.
Where many MVPs speak at events and do presentations, or work as TFS consultants, I have, so far, stuck to my comfort zone and developed a number of open source application and tools for TFS. Over the past few years I have become a moderator on the Microsoft Answers for Vista forum as well as the new Microsoft Answers for Windows 7. I have participated in the MSDN forums for VB, WPF, WCF and VSTS.
The 2 main projects that helped me attain my MVP were "TFS Event Handler" and "TFS Sticky Buddy".
TFS Event Handler - http://tfseventhandler.codeplex.com
The "TFS Event Handler" makes it easier to notify users of changes to Work Items in Team Foundation Server. You will no longer need to add individual alerts to users. It is developed in .NET 3.5 SP1 for Team Foundation Server 2008 and is deployed as a system service.
The Alerts that you no longer need users to individually setup are that: a work item is assigned to you; a work item that is assigned to you is reassigned to someone else; and a work item that you created is assigned to someone else.
TFS Sticky Buddy - http://tfsstickybuddy.codeplex.com
"TFS Sticky Buddy" makes it easier for all members of the development team to visualise the current state of their project by utilising a graphical view of Work Items. It is developed in VB.NET for .NET 3.5 SP1 and Team System 2008.
(Computer Software industry)
December 2005 — Present (4 years )
RDdotNet specializes in research and development in the .Net. Currently working on extensibility to Team Foundation Server and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server with the odd foray into Xbox Live.
Most projects are currently Open Source and reside on the Codeplex servers.
You can find all current solutions @ http://rddotnet.com
(Public Company; AGK.L; Utilities industry)
September 2007 — October 2009 (2 years 2 months)
Roles: Developer Evangelist, Developer, Architect, Application Owner
Key skills used: .NET Framework 3.5, .NET Framework 4.0, WPF, ASP.NET, VB.NET, SQL Server 2008, Visual Studio Team Suit, Team Foundation Server, WCF
Additional Skills: IIS7, Windows7, Win2008, Vista
(Public Company; BAC; Financial Services industry)
April 2006 — September 2007 (1 year 6 months)
Research new technologies for use by developers to help meet business requirements. Coding against new technologies, like .NET 3.0, to provide demonstrations to business and development teams. Organise and provide training to developers on new technologies. Provide audience specific presentations on new software and technologies. Develop in-house application and generic reusable factories. Provide architectural support for developers and assist lead Architect in design doctrine and best practices.
Roles: Developer Evangelist, Developer, Architect, Application Owner
Key skills used: .NET Framework 2.0, .NET Framework 3.0, ASP.NET, VB.NET, FORMS.NET, REFLECTION.NET, XML, T-SQL, SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005 Team Suit, Team Foundation Server, WCF
Additional Skills: IIS6, WinXP Win2003, IIS7, Vista
(Marketing and Advertising industry)
May 2004 — January 2006 (1 year 9 months)
Recruited to lead a large community site project. Initially was the sole developer and tasked to build the framework of the site in ASP.NET and using VB.NET. Also required the development of a custom Instant Messaging application written in VB.NET and using a combination of web services and TCP/IP to communicate.
Recruited a solid team to assist in design, build and implementation of the remainder project. The role in addition to software development requires excellent communication skills in order to create trust between team members, assisting them in identifying their particular issues, problems, and needs. A fast-paced environment, working alone or in a small team; adaptability and creativity are key.
Roles: IT Director, Lead Developer, Technical Evangelist, Network Manager
Key skills used: ASP.NET, VB.NET, FORMS.NET, TCP/IP, REFLECTION.NET, XML, XSL, T-SQL, SQL Server, Visual Studio 2003, JavaScript, HTML
Additional Skills: Exchange Server 2003 IIS6, WinXP Win2003
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)
August 2003 — April 2004 (9 months)
Recruited into start-up company to provide expert development skills as wells as industry expertise to an emerging software development company. Ability to work with clients and potential clients was paramount. Long hours, a pressured situation and being in a different role and environment made this a great challenge.
Roles: IT Director, Lead Developer, Technical Evangelist, Network Manager
Key skills used: ASP.NET, VB.NET, FORMS.NET, XML, XSL, T-SQL, SQL Server, Visual Studio 2003, HTML, JavaScript
Additional Skills: Exchange Server 2003, IIS6, WinXP Win2003
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Internet industry)
May 2002 — September 2003 (1 year 5 months)
Recognised as an experienced and knowledgeable member of the team. Assigned many of the larger and more complicated projects. Working on own and in a team to develop various applications, both web and forms based for blue-chip national and international companies, with a user-base into the millions.
Roles: Developer, Evangelist, Network Manager
Key skills used: ASP.NET, VB.NET, VBScript, XML, XSL, T-SQL, SQL Server, Visual Studio 2003, MS Access, HTML, JavaScript, CSS
Additional Skills: Exchange Server 2000, IIS5, IIS6, Win2000, WinXP, Win2003
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Software industry)
November 2000 — February 2002 (1 year 4 months)
Recruited as a graduate developer. Required to learn ASP3.0 in the two weeks leading up to commencement of employment.
Roles: Developer, Network Manager
Key skills used: ASP3.0, VB6, ActiveX, COM, VB6 Forms, VBScript, XML, XSL, T-SQL, SQL, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Server, Exchange Server 5.5, Visual Studio.NET, MS Access, IIS4, IIS5, NT4, Win2000, WinXP
BSc , Computer Studies , September 1996 — September 2000
Mathenatics, English, Physics, Biology 1985 — 1995
New Technology, Reading, Developing, Movies
Microsoft MVP, British Ccomputer Society, MCP, MCTS
Microsoft MVP Award for 2010, October 2009
Community Credit 9th Prize, August 2009
Community Credit 12th Prize, July 2009
Microsoft MVP Award for 2009, October 2008
Community Credit 1st Prize, August 2008
Community Credit 2nd Prize, May 2008
Community Credit 11th Prize, February 2008
Community Credit 3rd Prize, November 2007
Community Credit 2nd Prize, August 2007
MCTS: Team Foundation Server, Febuary 2006
Microsoft Certified Professional, Febuary 2006