## BIO
**Programming skills:**
I have six years of programming experience in HTML and Web design, five years in Visual Basic and four years of PHP and MySQL.
I am also familiar with many Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel and Access.
My main involvement and education in coding has come through the development of the Web site Cricket-Online and working with the highly successful CricInfo Web site on a volunteer basis.
In the past I have written scripts which concentrate on facets of CMS's, the extraction and formatting of data from other sources and anything that happens to interest me.
I topped the State in the Australian Schools' Computing Competition on two occasions.
My typing speed has been recorded at 107WPM (accuracy-adjusted) at BrainBench. I believe the link contains contact details so you will have to take my word for this one.
**Other (non-programming) skills:
***Maths:* I have an extremely strong background in Mathematics and topped my age group in the state of Tasmania (pop 450,000) in years 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9. In year 10 I received a prestigious High Distinction award in an Enrichment Challenge issued by the AMC.
*English:* My English is also very strong, topping the state in year 6 and winning various short story writing competitions in high school. I have a BrainBench Masters in English Vocabulary and Written English.
*Science:* My knowledge of the sciences is very good also as I topped the state in year 6 and topped the class in the end of year exam by four per cent.
While these skills are not of particular use in programming and scripting (apart from Maths), they show my ability to learn and interpret information quickly and comprehensively.
*Languages:* I also excel in French and Japanese, receiving Outstanding Achievements (the highest award possible) in both throughout high school, and have continued to learn French since. This displays my knowledge of the mechanics of languages, which aren't entirely different to computer languages (BASIC and Visual Basic in particular).
**Programming mentality:**
My one true passion for programming is on the Web, and although the industry may decline in the near future I still see myself somewhere within it. I am very strong in regards to PHP programming and have done a little bit of work with Perl. My real strength lies within my ability to think laterally and work tirelessly and remain constantly perceptive. I value testing and enhancing over meticulous planning. If I sincerely versioned my programs they would have reaching the hundreds by now!
**Recreation:**
Away from the computer, I quite enjoy sports. No, cancel that. I love sports. I love watching sports, playing sports, talking sports, anything to do with a ball or athlete or chess board, for goodness sake! After a rather lengthy injury I am getting back into competitive tennis while continuing to play cricket and get bashed around (and, of course, give out my fair serve) in Australian Rules footy.
**Ambitions**
In August '03 I plan to launch my own Web design company with a graphics partner which is my next step in the process of gaining coding experience. If you <u>really</u> want to know my one true ambition, I'll tell you:
To make some money on RentACoder, of course!
## Area of Expertise
**Very Strong**: PHP, MySQL, Visual Basic (5+6), HTML, Web Page Design; English, French, Maths, Science, Typing, MS Office.
**Strong**: Javascript, Access, Data Entry, Music, Windows.
**Quite Strong**: Java, Perl, Graphics, Flash.