The Developer Journey

My passion for code began in the mid-2000s, initially through mIRC scripting and then PHP, where I built a complex IRC chat bot for the popular OldSchool Runescape server, SwiftIRC. This early experience using shell-only services quickly transitioned into a serious development focus when I acquired my first Linode VPS in 2007.

On the VPS, I expanded my skills to include HTML, CSS, and full-stack PHP, culminating in the creation of my own WordPress blog. That platform eventually grew into Ausdroid, a respected online news and reviews site for Android devices, demonstrating a strong foundation in both content management and large-scale web development.

Beyond software, I maintain a deep love for hardware and infrastructure. This enthusiasm spans from building custom desktop computers — a hobby since playing Roller Coaster Tycoon on the family PC — to advanced networking and home labbing. I currently leverage devices like the Raspberry Pi 5 and an Intel N150 Mini PC to self-host essential services, including this website, a dedicated Discord bot, and secure file sharing for my family.

Key Technologies