My
name is Scott Austin. I wrote my first computer program in the early 80's
while in junior high school, on a Radio Shack build-your-own computer that
hooked up to a TV. In 1985 I created what is now known as a GUI, using BASIC on a TRS-80. I submitted it as a school science fair project and it was in
the national finals ('85). Recently I built a WAMP server (Windows, Apache,
MySQL, PHP) from scratch to use at home. I used old PC parts in a 2U rack mount
server box I had. I didn't use the software with the same name (WAMP). I installed
and configured each component on my own.I walked onto my first construction job in 1989. Shortly thereafter I began working as an industrial electrician, mostly on what is known as "shut-downs". My life has had a firm foot-hold in both construction and IT.
Although I never went beyond high school, with the exception of a few certificate courses here and there, I am extremely proficient with computers. I can build, repair, program, and use them as what we call a "super user". The same thing is paralleled in the construction world. I never got my contractor's license but I've been a certified Journeyman Industrial Electrician since 1994. I take the term "Journeyman" to heart. I'm an old-school craftsman who takes pride in a finished product.
In construction, I began as a green helper, and went thru the ranks. I've been leadman, foreman, general foreman, and project superintendent. I have a distinct style on a job site. I'm always innovating and helping to make things more efficient. Often the improvements I create incorporate my computer skills. A simple example is an Excel file I made many years ago for electricians. To keep it brief, it made really nice printable electrical panel schedules in a way that tracked changes.
My other talent lies in what this site is hopefully presenting to you. I'm a very creative and visually orientated person. In high school I took 2 yrs. of drafting and 2yrs. computer programming. I worked a year+ as a draftsman in the early 90's. That employer didn't use CAD. Everything was done on Vellum (paper). Over the years I've done countless CAD and graphic related projects.
In the early 2000's, I built and ran a computer repair service business. Along the same time, I built and maintained a computer tech web site. My exceptional computer skills combined with almost 2 decades of construction experience gives me a rather unique and valuable skill set.
