Experience is an interesting section for me. I have done several different things and enjoy many more. Experience, to me, is more than just work history and even more than volunteer work. Much of my experience with computers, for example, was gained through self learning, hobbies, leisure, etc. If you were to look solely at my work history you would miss this. On the other hand, if you wanted to see my skills as a public speaker, an educator, or the like…well my work history could stand alone. I considered just posting my resume, but I think I have a better idea.
First off, I would like to give you the direct link to my LinkedIn account. This page will give you great insight into my work history and similar experience. Here is that link: Bryon Miller – LinkedIn. I will at least give you my titles so that you can see the wild path that lead me where I am today. Here they are in chronological order: Youth Ministry Intern, Merchandiser, Student Minister, Substance Abuse Counselor, Job Placement Specialist. (As a side note: I have, not surprisingly, been the go to tech guy in my office during most of these positions.)
Unfortunately, it won’t give you great insight into my love for technology, coding, computers, etc. (At least it won’t at the time I am writing this.) This is a bit trickier. What I would like to do is list some of the languages, technologies, skills, and so on that I have used below. I will accompany them with a brief description of my experience with them. Hopefully that will give you an idea of what I have done up to this point. (Hint: You might prefer to just hit Ctrl+F and search for what ever skill you want to see. I don’t want to bore you.)
- Languages
- C++
- I learned some of the basics of C++ starting about 10 years ago and have picked up bits and pieces since then. I have never been proficient in it, have not kept my knowledge of it maintained, and probably couldn’t do much in it right now. I am fairly confident that I could read a C++ program and give you an idea what it does. (I have used the Arduino programming language – which is kind of a simplified mix of C and C++ – so I have that experience as well.)
- HTML
- This is my baby. I started learning this more than 10 years ago. It was my first real experience with coding. I absolutely loved it. I created free websites through Boomspeed and Angelfire back in the day. I used it on my Neopets.com account. (I was a kid, ok?) The only problem is that I was never satisfied with it until I discovered CSS. I am pretty savvy with HTML and am updating my skills right now.
- CSS
- I didn’t have a lot of experience with CSS until very recently, but I did know the basics of styling. I am updating my skills in this right now as well.
- Python
- I learned a little Python about a year ago, but stopped short of anything spectacular. I just recently completed a Codeacademy course in it and have been reading its documentation lately. I am pretty comfortable with it and, with the help of Google and Reddit, I could whip up just about any basic program you need. (I <3 Scraping!)
- C++
- Operating Systems
- Windows
- Massive amounts of experience with Windows. I’ve used it primarily in my work and home life. I know my way around the newest versions back as far as anyone would want to go. (XP?) I can use the command line, PowerShell, MS Office, edit the registry, etc.
- OSX/iOS
- I love this environment, but I haven’t used OSX much. Macs are very costly. I have used it some via a virtual machine (VM). iOS is a different story. We have an iPad and iPhones and use them to their fullest. I have jailbroken an iPhone (unashamedly), troubleshot them, and synced them with computer, bluetooth devices, etc.
- Android
- It would also be good to mention after iOS that I am also very familiar with Android. I have an two Android tablets right now (Google Nexus 8 and Kindle Fire HD), one of which I have successfully rooted.
- Linux
- I would be amiss to leave out Linux. I have been using it primarily via Mint and Ubuntu on my laptop for a few years now (working on it right now.) I can do things like installing software, troubleshooting issues, using the terminal for a wide variety of tasks, and booting Tails from the disc drive. (Can you be a true programmer without at least a mild understanding of the Darknet and Tor?)
- Windows
- Hardware
- PCs
- I have done a lot with desktop PCs. Including cleaning, changing fans, swapping RAM, upgrading equipment, etc. I have also overclocked CPUs and graphics cards.
- Arduinos, Electronics, and Other Junk
- I’m played around with Arduino boards, sensors, old tech, etc. I’ve done everything from running a NES controller through an Arduino UNO to adding a button to the bottom of a XBOX 360 controller to basic electronics repair. (Need a new internal battery soldered to your old Gameboy cartridge? I’m your man.)
- General Office Equipment
- Self-explanatory, but I can use it all. Whether it is a printer, copier, all-in-one, mouse/keyboard, or any other peripheral; I can use it and likely troubleshoot it.
- PCs
- Software, etc.
- I couldn’t name all the software (and other programs, social media, etc.) I can use, so I’ll just name the bigger ones that come to mind.
- GIMP/Paint/Photoshop Elements
- FireFTP/FTPs
- Git/GitHub/Git Bash
- Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access/LibreOffice/Keynote, Pages, etc./Google Sheets, Docs, etc.
- Outlook/Gmail/Sparrow
- Oracle VM VirtualBox
- Notepad++/Gedit
- Alliant AS/400
- Google Chrome/Safari/FireFox (and Developer Edition)/Internet Explorer
- WordPress (.com and .org)/Blogger/Flickr
- DropBox/Box/Google Drive
- Evernote/Feedly
- Twitter/Facebook/Google+/LinkedIn/About.Me/Reddit (I no longer have a Facebook and I don’t use Google+ much.)
- And so much more…
- I couldn’t name all the software (and other programs, social media, etc.) I can use, so I’ll just name the bigger ones that come to mind.
I could go one with some other skills and similar things, but I’ve taken up too much of your time already. If you would like evidence of my skill with anything I mentioned you can get it a few different ways. One is to request it from me. Two is view my social media sites. Three will be GitHub once I have more projects up there. Four will be to check my main site (a portfolio of sorts) when it is finished. Five, and lastly, is to follow this blog a see the skills as they emerge.
Now you have a pretty solid picture of my experience. Not bad for a Psychology major, right? Thank you for sticking with me and reading my backstory. I think my next post will be on something more relevant to what I am doing now.
Bryon
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