Pc-Professionals.Net - "Work With the Pro's"

Timothy Patterson - Online Portfolio

Welcome to Timothy Patterson's online portfolio. Featured here are a few of the web sites, programming projects, and networks that I have designed and implemented over the past 10 years. I take great pride in giving each and every client the best possible solution for their needs and business demands.

Please feel free to browse my portfolio. Through my business, Pc-Professionals, I have developed websites for a wide range of industries, businesses, and organizations. My unique web programming skills have helped businesses and individuals thrive on the world wide web.

Strong Points - Special Skills

Web Design
- Good creativity
- Can match existing designs (on paper or a pre-existing web site)
Server Administration
- Novell Certified Linux Engineer
- Very familiar with all web servers and their platforms
- Complete understanding of directory services and the LDAP protocol
Business Skills
- Organized
- Can meet demanding deadlines
- Very outgoing and professional

Web Programming
- PHP, Perl, AJAX, JavaScript, Cold Fusion, ASP, ASP.NET, HTML, XHTML, XML, CSS, CSS2
Photoshop Skills
MySQL / MSSQL
Good leadership qualities
CMS Experience
Excellent problem solving and reasoning skills

Web Site Design:

Akron-Fairgrove Schools	I was asked by the administration of the Akron-Fairgrove School District to come up with a new design for their District's web site. In addition, part of this project's goals was to create and implement a custom CMS (content management system) that allowed for the District's secretaries, principals, and students to keep their own web site up to date. Not only did I meet their project's initial specifications, but I also went above and beyond and took steps to integrate LDAP authentication into all parts of their web site's administration interface.

Fairgrove District Library	I was asked by the Fairgrove District Library's head librarian to develop a custom web program allowing the library to store their obituary information in an online, searchable format for use by the public. The library also wanted their "Obituary Index" to match a new design that they had come up with on paper. I was able to quickly create a dependable web application and implement their design to suit their needs.

Web Programming:

Saginaw Valley State University

For the last three years, I've worked as a student employee for Saginaw Valley State University in the Network Services department. During this time, I've been asked to create numerous web applications. The following details the project, the project goals, and the techniques used for their completion.

Web Portal (my.svsu.edu):	For this project, I was asked to create and implement a web portal for the University. The goals of the project were to create a user friendly interface to all of the University's online resources. I accomplished this task by leveraging many different web programming techniques and technologies. I was able to add SSO (single sign-on) functionality to the portal, thus allowing an end user to only have to log on to a single point of entry to gain access to the University's online resources. In addition, the portal gives each individual user the ability to create and customize personalized portal pages - allowing users to tailor their environment to their personal tastes. This project was challenging and fun for me. I gained a lot of experience with new technologies throughout the development process of the portal. You can find an online article from SVSU's student newspaper describing the portal at: http://www.svsu.edu/clubs/vanguard/stories/300

Blackboard Single Sign-On:	This project's goal appeared simple - create a mechanism allowing for single sign-on functionality into a commercial Blackboard system without modifying any of the Blackboard systems source code. This proved to be a difficult project. However, by using my problem solving skills I was able to create a custom Perl script that fulfilled this projects goals. By "spoofing" web server headers I was able to fool the Blackboard server into thinking that the Perl script was a standard web browser, thus allowing me to casually pass along a user's authentication credentials. Upon completion, this project was integrated into the my.svsu.edu web portal to allow access to Blackboard via the portal's single sign-on technology.

Barracuda Single Sign-On:	This project was very similar to the above project. I was asked to create a single sign-on mechanism allowing for single sign-on functionality into a commercial Barracuda Networks spam filtering system. This task was developed and implemented using a Perl script that "spoofed" web server headers, thus allowing the Barracuda's web server to authenticate single sign-on enabled users. Upon completion, this project was integrated into the my.svsu.edu web portal to allow access to an end user's e-mail quarantine settings via the portal's single sign-on technology.

Change Password Page:	I was assigned the task of revising SVSU's current Change Password page that end users utilize to change all of their network passwords. This project included translating old Perl code into newer-style PHP scripts, and the addition of some extra functionality and security. This project also entailed placing the page into the University's new web site template.

Athletics News Page:	This project was assigned to me to re-write the University's existing Athletics News page to include more information and have better organization. By modifying existing code, I was able to easily accomplish this task.

Camera Control Site:	This project was an interesting one. My task was to create a web site that could switch on or off network cameras in the many labs around the University's campus. By using custom scripting and new technology, I was able to create this system in a relatively short period of time.

Network Administration:

Akron-Fairgrove Schools	Set up and maintain all of the District's servers and all core network services (DNS, DHCP, SLP, File & Print Services, Web Server, E-mail) Heavily utilize Novell Open Enterprise Server running on SuSE Linux Also utilize iPrint, ZENworks, GroupWise, SpamAssassin Converted into a new SIS (student information system) - PowerSchool Assist with completion of, and generate the submission of required reports by the Michigan Department of Education Provide technical support to all of the District's students and staff
Marlette Community Schools	Lead conversion project from NetWare to Novell Open Enterprise Server running on SuSE Linux Migrated all e-mail services from Microsoft Exchange 5.5 to GroupWise 7 Set up a "one username, one password" type of environment using LDAP Set up and installed new Dell switches throughout entire District; replacing old hubs Set up and maintain fiber optic links between the District's various buildings Moved printing services from old NDPS to iPrint
Fairgrove District Library	Purchased and set up new server Played a key role in setting up MelCat and inter-library loan services Applied for and received a Bill & Melinda Gates foundation grant for new computers for public use
Saginaw Valley State University	Designed and implemented a secure wireless network that seamlessly integrated with the University's existing network setup Also provide wireless statistics and reports Created many web interfaces for various customized University solutions Performed basic server installations and test different technologies as per the Senior Systems Administrator's requests Provide insight on how to solve basic problems encountered during daily tasks

Timothy Patterson - Online Portfolio

Points of Interest