Simon Belt

Current

Volunteer Editor at DMOZ - Open Directory Project
Coordinator at Manchester Small Business Specialist Group
Coordinator at The Manchester Salon

Owner and Technology Consultant at Simply Better IT (Sole Proprietorship)

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Past

Infrastructure Manager at Capgemini
Computer Support Officer at Government Office for the North West

Education

Roundhay High School

Recommended

16 people have recommended Simon

Connections

364 connections

Industry

Information Technology and Services

Simon Belt’s Summary

Simon Belt started his career as a technology consultant in the rather restrictive environment of the civil service, moving into the more flexible and innovative international outsourcing world. His preference is implementing technology the way it should be deployed, rather than what increases the bottom line of any given support contract. In 1999, Simon established his own IT Consultancy - Simply Better IT - to do just that.

Simon is able to help small businesses use technology better, including:

* Domain Name registration and hosting
* Reliable and redundant Internet connections - ADSL broadband, SDSL, satellite, cable and WiMax
* Website design, development, optimisation and hosting
* Network cabling, including patch panels, floor ports and switches
* Firewalls, antivirus and Unified Threat Management
* Server specification, procurement, installations and support
* Email setup, database development, file storage, data backup and restore
* Computer services, procurement, installations and support
* Printer and scanner specification, procurement, installations and support
* Remote access to file storage, email access from your mobile phone

Born and brought up in 60's Yorkshire, he moved to Lancashire on a civilising mission in the 80's, and now moved on to sunny Derbyshire where he’s now based.

Simon Belt’s Specialties:

Microsoft Small Business Server, Website Development, Search Engine Optimisation

Simon Belt’s Experience

Volunteer Editor

DMOZ - Open Directory Project

(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

August 2008 — Present (1 year 4 months)

Providing human centred quality control of Directory Listings for Search Engines using the DMOZ - Open Directory Project. I am extending my categories from New Mills to High Peak in Derbyshire.

Challenge is to provide impartial listing service even when some of the sites are linked to me or competitors, but I can conquer challenges like that!
Coordinator

Manchester Small Business Specialist Group

(Information Technology and Services industry)

July 2008 — Present (1 year 5 months)

Coordinate meeting agenda, third parties pitching their products and services to the group, liaising with Microsoft Partner Programme to communicate news, events and speakers.
Coordinator

The Manchester Salon

(Think Tanks industry)

June 2007 — Present (2 years 6 months)

The Manchester Salon was inspired after a trip to London for the Battle of Ideas festival in 2006, and a desire to bring some of the flavour of those very engaging debates to Manchester. The Salon now meets every month to discuss a topic of current affairs, maybe through the prism of a recently published book on the topic, and often with the author of the book introducing it.

The aim is to try and capture the essence and nuances of current affairs issues, and discuss possible solutions. With as many views as there are participants, our conversations never end and are carried on more informally in the bar after the debate. I help coordinate the discussion themes and speakers, manage the promotional strategy and website - www.manchestersalon.org.uk.
Owner and Technology Consultant
Simply Better IT (Sole Proprietorship)

(Sole Proprietorship; Information Technology and Services industry)

February 1999 — Present (10 years 10 months)

I provide all Web and Technology consultancy and support to small businesses helping them to use technology better.

Currently developing my skill set around website development technologies and techniques, particularly focus on Joomla! 1.5 Content Management System websites to easily edit and rework content to match business specific content with persuasive content techniques. My best effort so far is http://www.newmillsgolfclub.co.uk/.
Infrastructure Manager

Capgemini

(Public Company; CAP; Information Technology and Services industry)

October 1997 — September 2006 (9 years )

Worked as Infrastructure Manager for Test and Production environments, involving Desktop Support, Server Support, Network Support and application development. Worked on Integration Testing team at Starhub in Singapore testing the billing sytems on new Fixed/Mobile/Broadband Data startup Aug-Dec 2000.
Computer Support Officer

Government Office for the North West

(Government Agency; 1001-5000 employees; Government Administration industry)

September 1990 — October 1997 (7 years 2 months)

Provided all desktop and some server support to various departmental systems used with the Government Office. Developed all internal databases used by depatments.

Simon Belt’s Education

Roundhay High School

O and A levels: , Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, Geology and French , 1976 — 1981

I walked to school every day, there and back some 2 miles each way through woods, up and down hills, come rain or shine and the idea of getting a lift or being ferried by parents wasn't even contemplated. I can't imagine what kids today must think having an expectation that someone will always be there as a taxi service - surely no good for parent or kid!

Activities and Societies:

I was an enthusiastic and passionate member of the Debating Team, often helping to select the motions for debate, and although I may not have won every debate I did pursue the argument to a clear and considered conclusion.

I managed to get into the rugby team because they were short of players, but definitely a mismatch between understanding what was required and what was delivered. My successful sports were hockey, cross country and the 3,000m which I set the school record for.

Additional Information

Simon Belt’s Interests:

Developing a human centred approach to all aspects of life including technology and the Internet. Became a volunteer editor of DMOZ directory to ensure quality control of Dir ectory Listings for Search Engines.

Simon Belt’s Groups:

Organise a Current Affairs Discussion Forum - Manchester Salon, managing speaker invites, promotion via website, Facebook Group and Email invites.

Organise a Microsoft Small Business Specialist Community (SBSC) Group in Manchester, managing speaker invites, promotion via website, Facebook Group and Email invites.

Member of Institute of Ideas, and help by being Judge at their Debating Matters competition.

Organise the New Mills Business Network via website promotion of meetings incorporated into local business directory listings website I manage using resources of Business and Enterprise College students to collect and update information for.