the story
They say, success is a journey not a destination. With a preference to adventure when it comes to living my life, I've been blessed with many memories and friendships along the way. This is a reminder of the more interesting encounters I had with technology. It is my story so far.
From the beginningDevOps and cloud qualifications
About the time I started my computer science degree, I went on to explore web technologies in a bit more depth. Even though I have designed dozens of websites, the world was moving fast and wanted to get a firmer grasp on what was current and trending. I started with the amazing resources at Team Treehouse, a friendly and diverse community offering tons of course and tech degrees around the most popular tools and techniques. I did several tracks on front end and JavaScript covering everything from responsive layouts and grids with SASS and popular frameworks such as Bootstrap to JS frameworks like Angular JS and React.
I was almost convinced that a Full Stack JS career was the path I will follow, after working with JS on the front end and developing web services with node. Soon after I started using containers and cloud infrastructure, I discovered Kubernetes. It was like a moment of clarity to me when everything made sense. My long years of supporting infrastructure, extensive networking and performance tuning, database knowledge, programming skills, web technologies and project management were all converging towards an exciting role known today as DevOps.
After finishing the Pimlico project, I took some time off to spend with family and focus solely on finishing the degree and gain more experience as a DevOps engineer. I studied AWS's cloud offering with Linux Academy and A Cloud Guru and obtained a few certifications for Solutions Architect Associate and Developer Associate. I also refreshed my Linux skills with The Linux Foundation where I obtained the Certified SysAdmin certificate. Most interestingly though, it was working with container, Kubernetes. I obtained the well-respected CKA and CKAD certifications in December 2019. A longer description of each course and certificate is available on the learning curve page.
For 2020 I'm aiming to obtain more AWS cloud experience, dig deeper into automation tools like Ansible and Terraform and continue studying Linux in deeper detail. The story continues.
Project management
With a problem-solving mindset and a strong preference for optimisation, the project manager role fits me well. Whether is landscaping my garden or restructuring a business interior spaces and workflows, I always took an interest and enjoyed the challenges of dealing with complexity.
While I was still engaged with my job, focusing on my degree and preparing to transition my clients to new arrangements, an opportunity arrived to plan and oversee a high-end reconstruction of a five-storey listed building in Central London. I happily took it, hoping it to be a desk job, fitting nicely with my current arrangements. It turned out to be a very complex operation with a lot more hands-on experience than anticipated, but enjoyable nevertheless, one from which I learned so much.
With no previous knowledge of construction at this scale, it felt like a complex dance which I had to learn the first time without missing a step. Until project approval, it was about coordinating the legal, engineering and architectural teams while keeping the clients informed. However, once the building phase begun, from demolition and reconstruction to the last layer of polish, it was all about timing and communication as I had to make sure every piece of the puzzle arrives and is fitted at precisely the right time while dealing with the unexpected, a lot.
Coordinating dozens of subcontractors, craftsmen and even more suppliers while managing conflicts and assigning responsibilities, was probably the most stressful part of the experience but also the most rewarding when the project was delivered on time and on budget.
I couldn't keep away from technology either as I took pleasure personally in planning and installing the IT infrastructure and CCTV using Ubiquity's UniFi range, smart lighting, heating and access control as well as sound and media equipment. I can't say enough how big of a fan am I of Ubiquity. I use their equipment at home and every business I support.
It was delivered in autumn 2018 and was probably the most significant single project I managed in terms of scale, complexity and costs so far.
Computer science degree
Like a Deja-vu, that feeling - that there was more to explore - took over my awareness again. We were happily settled in our home on the outskirts of London, taking our little daughter to school every morning before heading to the city every day. Relocating to another country was going to be much more difficult and complex and frankly, we are happy here. I began thinking about my next move in a different way.
When I finished school, I preferred to gaining work experience rather than spending a few more years in school. By 2016, the world of computing was moving increasingly faster towards cloud computing and horizontal scaling which kept fascinating me. It was clear that there was no need for computing at such scale in cosmetic surgery and I was probably going to change paths towards cloud engineering at some point. I knew there was some catching up to do so I decided to get my computer science degree and specialise in some area of cloud engineering.
Already in a full-time job with a small business on the side and a family to support, full time study was going to be very difficult to fit in. Thankfully, the Open University had very good credentials and they offered several flavours of Computer Science Degrees built up from modules which could studied in a flexible way.
As I became a student and progressed through modules, while enjoying some of them, particularly on algorithms and data structures, OOP or data management, others felt a bit dated for the direction the world was heading. Once again, the flexibility of the Open University allowed me to customise the degree and add a few engineering modules, particularly in the communication technology field. This sparked an interest in electronics, IoT and home automation.
In 2020, I completed my final module and qualified with a First-Class BSc (Hons) degree for Combined STEM in Computer Science and Communications Technologies. The world was mine to conquer once again.
Websites, 3D cameras and more high tech
Lucian Ion is one of the most talented and sought-after rhinoplasty surgeons in London and the UK. Our collaboration spans many years and it grew into a close friendship. I think we just get each other’s madness and work well together. Lucian was always on the cutting edge, never shy to experiment and try the latest and greatest. Apart from being an amazing surgeon, he is also a passionate geek when it comes to imaging, video cameras and high-performance computers.
Although I built several websites for him in the past, in 2010 I've taken a more active role in his private medical practice by taking charge of all technological aspects. Whenever a significant piece of technology was released, Lucian was the person to wonder if it can be used to any advantage in his practice. The CTO role involved a lot of optimisation, from increasing storage performance when dealing with large collections of 2D and 3D medical imagery, to implementing paperless workflows supported by redundant and properly backed up servers. Networking and connectivity were always a high priority as much of the data had to be accessed in real time from various locations, including mobile.
We developed innovative image acquisition solutions allowing the capture of complex never seen before intra-operative imagery for research and education. Using high resolution 2D and 3D imagery, 4K and RAW cameras from Blackmagic Design, DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro, we delivered state-of-art medical presentations at conferences around the world.
As a long time Windows user and supporter, this was the time when I finally switched sides and transitioned to the Mac platform. It was simply the better tool to use for my needs. I continued to learn and support Windows networks for a few more years but the love for the Mac and Apple products only grew stronger as I continued to admire and respect their extraordinary attention to detail.
As exciting the R&D was, more time was devoted to exploiting the potential of the web. I stopped counting the number of websites and iterations we developed over the year. As he joined practices with Angelica Kavouni, a very popular and well-respected cosmetic surgeon, I took over designing and maintaining both their websites and marketing campaigns. Some of them I still maintain today and can be seen in my portfolio. It was by far the busiest and craziest time of my life and enjoyed every minute of it.
Building my business
The financial crisis of 2007 has seen many businesses collapsed and unfortunately, the CPH was one of them. It was also the year when my daughter was born, and priorities changed. I decided to grow my freelance business and diversify the clients by offering IT support, Web Development and media services to small businesses with a focus on cosmetic surgery medical practice where I had most experience.
Some business required bespoke solutions including VPN connections and remote working facilities. I learned a lot about Windows networks, connectivity and routing. On the cosmetic surgery side, setups became repetitive and simple to implement with tested and trusted equipment and proven software packages. As long as the implementations were robust and monitored constantly, there were very few events to attend.
This left a lot of time for creativity which I used to expand my web development skills. I moved to developing for the LAMP stack with CodeIgniter as the proffered MVC framework and continued to focus on SEO by maintaining high standards of code, content and accessibility practices. I started developing content management platforms and automate routine tasks for my clients.
The client base quickly grew to include consultants around the UK in London, Brighton, Cambridge and Derby but also in Germany and even Cyprus. The increase workload with web technologies has fuelled my passion for coding which hovered around PHP, MySQL, JS, CSS/SASS and HTML. It also included a fair amount of work with Linux, mail routing, DNS and web hosting services.
The Cambridge Private Hospital
I met Mr Anthony Erian in Bucharest in 2002 during an international conference on cosmetic surgery. He showed interest in my multimedia presentations which I put together for Dr Stan. Meeting him a couple of years later, at his private hospital in Royston near Cambridge was like meeting an old friend. The Cambridge Private Hospital was a quiet retreat more like a spa resort than a hospital. He offered me a job as an IT consultant to modernise his computer systems and help with the technical aspects of various training events organised at the hospital.
For the next few years I upgraded his systems to a brand-new enterprise network with redundant servers and connected workstations to remote offices in London via VPN. Together with a new digital medical record system, I rebranded the hospital and designed local adverts. These were eventually replaced with a solid SEO web presence through a number of custom-built websites. I became involved with the larger medical societies overseeing this speciality by consolidating several member databases, automating newsletters and coordinating live surgical workshops.
After the hospital was taken over by a larger company, I continued to support Mr Erian's private practice and offices both trough remote support and many web development and media projects. He remains one the most respected specialists in his field and I felt privileged to have played a part in his amazing journey.
Relocating to UK
By the age of 23 I seemed to have conquered it all. Finished school, had a dream job in tech, married my lovely wife and living happily together in our own city centre apartment together with Macs, the fluffiest and most jealous cat in the world. What else was there?
I was always inspired by the technological drive of western countries, where cool stuff seemed to originate. Not sure if it was the energy, the craziness of the age or the insatiable urge to explore but one day I asked my wife how she would feel if we were to start all over again, just the two of us, in a different country. I still remember the look, scared and confused but with a comforting glare in her eyes reassuring me that as long as we are together, everything will be all right. And just like that, in one quiet evening, a new chapter in our lives began as we decided to leave everything behind and build a new life in the United Kingdom.
A few months and a ton of paperwork later, we landed at Heathrow, just in time to spend our first Christmas in London, completely on our own, away from family and friends. London was fascinating, noisy and vibrant, full of contrast and diversity. It was different in so many ways, but we took our time to absorb and adjust.
A few months later, I was ready to start my new adventure. During some international conferences I attended with Dr Stan, I met many great people who showed interest in my work. Some were based in the UK and I started to get in touch. One of them, was the president of the International Board for Cosmetic Surgery (IBCS) and the European Academy for Cosmetic Surgery (EACS), a world class plastic surgeon based in Cambridge, Mr Anthony Erian.
High tech & cosmetic surgery
Dr Constantin Stan is not only a visionary and an incredibly talented world class cosmetic surgeon, but also a role model for those working alongside him. His incredibly high standards in every detail of his work and practice had a profound impact in my life. I had the privileged to lead the technological aspects of his main hospital for almost four years.
Always pursuing the latest in tech, Dr Stan was transitioning into digital from analogue video and photography. I remember starting with the humble, but hugely advanced back then, Sony Digital Mavica FD73 camera, taking picture on 3.5" floppy disks.
We built a digital imaging and patient record database which was available throughout the network in all patient discussion rooms. It also served as a research medical resource used in presentations around the world. As technology quickly advanced over the years, digital video and live multi cam video streams were used in live surgery training workshops either locally, streamed internationally or produced on interactive multimedia DVDs.
It was here in 2001, when I started playing with HTML and Macromedia Dreamweaver. I was able to connect my love for coding with my passion for graphic design and media exploring Flash at the same time. I took charge of promoting the hospital on the web as well as handling all forms of printed media be it patient forms, product labels and magazine adverts.
Cronos Med and Dr Stan mean so many things for me. They are my reference for quality, focused work and attention to detail. I learned so much about this amazing field and medicine in general. Despite standards and expectations being extremely high, it was always the place where I felt at home, surrounded by family. It was the origin of many lasting friendships and memories, including meeting my amazing wife.
Gaming and performance tuning
When I was not working and during the weekends, I spent my time as an IT administrator for Info Club, one of the busiest gaming clubs in town. Learned a lot about optimisation and performance tuning, overclocking and advanced cooling solutions as we were trying to squeeze every last drop of performance from CPU and video cards.
I began exploring more about Linux and networking as I needed to manage a whooping 64kbps radio Internet link through a proxy server. I remember writing a timer and scheduling application in Borland Delphi (a form of object-oriented Pascal for Windows) for managing the bookings and running of the club.
Late nights burgers and fiercely competitions were also the norm, taking a lot of pride in my skills as Need for Speed racer or Age of Empires commander. So many friends and good memories.
Print and graphic design
Straight after graduation I was offered a full time job as graphic technician at one the largest printing houses in town. Graphic designers were very skilled and creative individuals but as the printing processes became increasingly digital, there was a growing need for wiz kids good with computers to work alongside them.
I was fortunate to work with brilliant graphic designers which thought me a lot about colour theory, type setting, proportions, layout and all aspects of design down to offset printing and finishing. It was very interesting to see labels, leaflets and magazines evolve from concepts to final prints going to every stage of production. These were the days of CorelDraw, PageMaker and first editions of Photoshop.
High School
Like many geeks, I seem to allocate disproportionally large amounts of time and attention to things that interest me, while neglecting those which seem boring. High-school was no different, sometimes to my parents and teachers’ despair. I was attracted to informatics and physics but could not drag myself to study history, geography or literature. Partly it was the biased and outdated information making me feel like I was wasting my time, while for computing I could never find enough.
I studied Informatics and really enjoyed discovering algorithms, data structures, Turbo Pascal and C++. I was good enough to make it into the Olympics team with decent enough results to soften the hearts of my teachers, allowing me an easier journey through school.
With more access to technology, thanks to my computer shop experience, I quickly took charge of the schools informatics labs, helping setting computers and networks up and maintaining them when necessary. One of the proudest moments was negotiating and connecting the school to the Internet in 1997 via dial-up connection to Soros organisation headquarters in a nearby city. Can still remember the day I was summoned to the director's office to explain the outrageous telephone bill. Technology was expensive.
Particularly close to heart is the legacy. The "No Name" programming competition founded by our little gang of nerds and coordinated by our Informatics professor, remains one the most significant yearly events at the school, 22 years later, drawing talent and interest in computing programming from all over the county. It gives me intense joy to visit the school after all the years, every time I go visit my parents and my hometown.
TV, Radio and computer hardware
Teenage years were adventurous and diverse. Following my entrepreneur father through his many ventures, I had many wonderful opportunities to learn and work alongside professionals in media and technology, making life long friends along the way.
I worked with broadcast cameras and video equipment at Satba local TV station, introducing computing technology for screen titles and basic show intros with Harvard Graphics and Autodesk Animator. I still remember the nights I spent with my grandad on the technical floor in sleeping bags when my parents were away, looking after the DVB receiver rack in case the generator would not kick in during one of the frequent blackouts.
I remember taking great proude in digitising to MP3 the entire CD collection of the local radio station. It was a total game changer back then for music on demand services, forcing competing stations to follow suit. I worked with musicians and artists to record tracks and produce music for local bands and children's theatre. Steinberg Cubase and Cool Edit Pro (Adobe Audition) were the norm.
In later years I moved away from media and focused on computer hardware, taking over the technical department of a local computer shop where I spent most of my free time ordering, assembling and troubleshooting computers for home users and local business. A lot of pocket money for someone my age. I learned FoxPro and designed a basic inventory and system configurator application which allowed everyone in the shop to order and track the correct components for the computers being sold. These were the days of Windows 95 and Red Had Linux, 266MMX CPUs and countless nights playing Diablo at the shop with close friends.
Sinclair's ZX Spectrum
It all started when my father, a electronics engineer, brought home a box about the size of a VHS tape and hook it up to our TV. As if it was magic, I was instanly captivated by it. It was the Sinclair's ZX Spectrum.
I remember sneaking out of bed at night when my parents were asleep, switching the machine on in complete silence and trying out random things.
This was my first contact with computer technology and these were the years of learning BASIC through exploration and playing lots of video games.