Dwarf City

About Us

What is dwarf city?

Dwarf city was born from a huge list of ideas that needed a face to put them with.

Who am I?

My name is Adam Child and guess what I'm a programmer by trade, I work for a publisher based in Oxford for the last 4 years. Before which I completed a Cybernetics MEng degree from Reading University. In my spare time what little I have, I like to dabble with the odd project here and there and usually bite off a lot more than I can chew. But hey that's all part of the fun. I've got lots of ideas I'd like to develop but it will take some time. Not all of the ideas are unique but more of a learning curve to achieve some of the bigger ones. "The Wall" for example, like that's never been done before.

Contact Us

Email all comments or suggestions to dwarfcity@dwarfcity.co.uk

CV - Adam Child

Summary

I am a positive and ambitious individual, who thrives on a challenge and am seeking a new opportunity to use and develop my skills and knowledge base. With over 4 years commercial experience of both small and large scale projects, I am a highly motivated team player, who also works well on own initiative to achieve any goals set. I am enthusiastic in my work and a good communicator, which enables me to liaise effectively with people and to build new relationships. I am looking to expand my role so that I am continually challenged and pushed beyond my boundaries.

Skills

  • Development: C++ (4 yrs), Visual Studio .NET (C#, VB.NET, ASP.NET, WinForms) (2 yrs), VB 6, Perl (5 yrs), Python
  • Web: XML, XHTML, PHP, CGI, ASP, DTD, XSD, CSS, XSLT, XSL-FO, JavaScript
  • Technologies: OOA / OOD, UML
  • Database: SQL Server 2000, T-SQL, MySQL
  • Software Packages: Visual Studio (.Net / 6), Rational Rose, Eclipse, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Photoshop
  • Operating System: Windows (98, NT, 2000, XP), Linux

Employment History

2001 – Present – Blackwell Publishing Limited

World's largest privately owned academic publisher of books and journals for the higher education, research and professional markets.

Developer (from January 2003)

Actively designing and developing systems alongside analysts and architects, using UML and OO constructs. Liaising with users to co-ordinate requirements and overcome problems.

  • Successfully designed and implemented two major journal production projects (UML, C#).
  • Designed and developed a file processing system (Sentinel), using a plug-in framework to automate quality assurance in journal content (C#, VB.NET).
  • Created a live update system enabling the deployment of software updates to client installed applications, on a company wide basis (C#, Web Services).
  • Helped tighten Blackwells' control over XML content by creating a schema from the existing DTD.
  • Introduced a code library to make re-usable code more accessible and unit testing through the use of N-Unit, thus improving the efficiency of the department.
  • Ongoing successful maintenance of internal and 3rd party systems, through support and fixes.

Programmer

Working with the system architects and analysts in designing and developing in-house systems, in a project management environment.

  • Promoted to lead programmer for the companies largest and most challenging project (BEES). A rule based copy editing system, which automatically marked-up text documents in RTF, HTML and XML formats to the company's internal XML (UML, ASP.NET, VB.NET, SQL Server 2000, XML, XSLT, Perl, VB 6, RTF and HTML).
  • Contributed to the overall design of BEES.
  • Demonstrated working prototypes of BEES to project sponsors and internal users.

2000 – 2001 – Blackwell Science Limited

Leading scientific publisher and leader in on-line academic publishing, Merged with Blackwell Publishers Limited to become the joint venture Blackwell Publishing Limited.

Programmer

Software development of in-house be-spoke applications. Working closely with internal customers to gather requirements, while also maintaining existing systems.

  • Created an automatic file renaming application and initiated a company wide file naming standard (C++).
  • Successfully contributed to the development of text and graphics automation / conversion tools. Including the conversion of formulae from latex format to MML (Math Marked-up Language) and creation of web ready graphics (Perl).
  • Developed a skills database and website to help utilise the skills with in the department (ASP).
  • Prototyped an on-line conversion tool using (Perl CGI) to standardise and correct graphics, allowing Authors/Editors to see the finalised versions earlier in the book / journal production process.
  • Effectively upgraded an existing automation system's Access database to SQL server 2000, including VB scripts to T-SQL Stored Procedures, functions and triggers.

1999 – Direct Link

Software consultancy specialising in web development.

Programmer (part-time)

Designed and implemented an employment agency website using Perl CGI scripts. The data was driven from a MYSQL database to store employer and employee profiles and job details

Contracted for the Princes' Trust website, to compile Perl CGI scripts for email, data logging and facilitating the update of web pages through an online interface.

Education & Qualifications

  • 2004: MCP,ASP.NET using C# - working towards MCSD
  • 1996 – 2000: University of Reading, MEng in Cybernetics (2:1)
    Cybernetics: The study of systems, their basic principles and their interaction.
  • 1994 – 1996: Bexley-Erith Technical High School, A-Levels: Maths (A), Physics (A), Technology (B) and Engineering Drawing (B)
  • 1989 – 1994: Thamesmead Community College, 7 GCSEs various

Professional Training

  • June 2004: Learning Tree, OO Analysis and Design using UML
  • July 2003: InterQuad, Building COM+ Applications Using Microsoft .NET Enterprise (2557A)
  • June 2002: Learning Tree, XSL: Transforming and Styling XML
  • June 2001: Aris Education, Programming an SQL Server 2000 Database
  • March 2001: Aris Education, Mastering Enterprise Development Using Microsoft VB 6

Interests

Game and web development, games including Tetris (C++), Bubble Train (C++, SDL, LibXml2), websites include local bowls club www.bicesterbowlsclub.co.uk, B&B www.kimbleycottage.co.uk (PHP, MySQL) and my own www.dwarfcity.co.uk (PHP, MySQL), Formula 1 racing enthusiast and keen cyclist.

Personal Details