Daniel F. Dickinson

Creating opportunities to follow a passion for life and tech for the common good.

Skills Highlights

DevOps/Sysadmin: Windows, Linux, Networking, Troubleshooting, Provisioning
Software Development: C, Shell Scripting, Node.js, Git, GitHub, Python
Cloud Computing: OpenStack, Terraform, Ansible, Infrastructure as Code
Virtualization: Qemu/KVM, Libvirt, Docker, Packer (some Hyper-V, Xen, Vagrant)
Embedded Linux: OpenWrt, Cross-Compiling, Busybox, ARM, MIPS
Frontend Web: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Hugo, Web Content Writing

Employment History

IT Manager / Integration Analyst / Product Manager • Ambient Activity

2024 - Present

Managed IT infrastructure for the organization.
Assisted organization staff and management with with troubleshooting and resolving technical issues.
Built products, both hardware and software aspects.
Integrated work of developers, engineers, and management into the final products.
Sourced parts for technology builds.
Oversaw technology aspects of organization’s products.
Assisted customers with troubleshooting and resolving technical issues with the products.

Skills: IT Integration · Systems Administration · IT Support · Troubleshooting · Windows · Product management

Owner • Wild Tech ‘Garden’

2023 - Present

Developed a Power Platform based solution for the digitization of records and data extraction and analysis for a local non-profit.
Determined requirements for project and implemented a prototype.
Pivoted the solution to capitalize on existing efforts already in use by staff.

Skills: Power Platform (including Power BI) · IT Support · Customer Service · Requirements Analysis · Windows

Developer, Blogger & Website Operator • Daniel Dickinson

2018 - 2024

Developed an Ansible deployment and self-hosting setup for a SOHO/KOHO cloud infrastructure.
Designed and created presentations on various technical topics.
Created and administered a website and three blogs.
Authored articles and created and edited graphics and photos.
Created, used, and modified website themes.
https://www.wildtechgarden.ca — Technical and educational website
https://www.danielfdickinson.ca — Resume and technical blog — merged with https://www.wildtechgarden.ca: archived content at https://web.archive.org/web/20240000000000*/https://www.danielfdickinson.ca
https://www.princesandmadmen.ca — Political, creative and mental health blog — removed: archived content at https://web.archive.org/web/20240000000000*/https://www.princesandmadmen.ca

Skills: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) · HTML5 · Software Troubleshooting · Hardware Troubleshooting · Linux · Open Source Software · Infrastructure as code (IaC) · Cloud Computing · Virtualization · Ansible · DevOps · Debugging · Shell Scripting · Web Design · Git · GitHub · Web Content Writing · Terraform · OpenStack · Provisioning · PowerPoint · Impress

Software Developer & DevOps • Turnberry Solutions

2015 - 2016

Automated provisioning, and deployment of OpenStack and AWS instances using Packer, Puppet, and Terraform.
Automated configuration roll-out using Puppet and a Git/Puppet master in-house integrated system combined with an RPM repository, including detailed documentation.
Developed various software in Python and Go, including software to find the type of devices connected to a telecommunications system.

Skills: Networking · Linux · Open Source Software · Embedded Linux · Infrastructure as code (IaC) · Virtualization · C · Software Development · DevOps · Debugging · Shell Scripting · Git · Windows · CentOS · Terraform · OpenStack · Puppet · Packer · Provisioning

Software Developer & DevOps • Yoh (Day & Zimmermann)

2014 - 2015

See Turnberry Solutions (same client, different intermediary).

Firmware Developer • PowerCloud Systems

2011 - 2014

Participated in the design and realization of a breakthrough cloud-based home networking solution in a fast-paced start-up environment, including developing, testing, troubleshooting, and bug-fixing using improvement on the techniques developed for an earlier cloud-based AP solution.
Supplied technical help and advice related to the products to the QA team and the executive team.

Skills: Busybox · Cross Compilers · Networking · Linux · Open Source Software · Embedded Linux · Embedded Systems · Cloud Computing · C · Troubleshooting · Debugging · Shell Scripting · Git · OpenWRT

Software Consultant • SMB Phone Inc

2010 - 2010

Offered design advice on a hardware CPE VoIP device and designed prototype firmware.

Skills: Networking · Open Source Software · Embedded Linux · Embedded Systems · Cloud Computing · Software Development · Requirements Analysis · Debugging · Shell Scripting · Voice over IP (VoIP) · Git · OpenWrt

Firmware and Software Developer • Vertical Communications

2009 - 2010

Created a web front-end for the FreeSWITCH softswitch based on OpenWrt (Lua).
Created a prototype web-based provisioning system for a VoIP device using Perl and designed a RESTful version.

Skills: Busybox · Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) · Networking · Linux · Debian · Open Source Software · Embedded Linux · Embedded Systems · Cloud Computing · Debugging · Shell Scripting · Voice over IP (VoIP) · Web Design · Git · Lua · Provisioning · OpenWrt

Intern • Vertical Communications

2009 - 2009

Enabled existing hardware VoIP device to use OpenWrt in preparation for enabling VoIP services through FreeSWITCH softswitch.

Skills: Networking · Linux · Debian · Open Source Software · Embedded Linux · Embedded Systems · Cloud Computing · Software Development · Debugging · Shell Scripting · Voice over IP (VoIP) · Web Design · Git · Lua · Provisioning · OpenWrt

Programmer Analyst / Technician • C & I Technologies

1998 - 2002

Designed and developed database projects in Borland C++ Builder, as well as websites, Java applets, and documentation.
Designed, developed, and deployed a custom Java applet for graphical design and requesting sales quotes for module dock systems through to order-entry and matching with payments.

Skills: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) · Software Troubleshooting · Hardware Troubleshooting · IT Support · Linux · Debian · Open Source Software · C · Software Development · Requirements Analysis · Troubleshooting · Debugging · Business Analysis · Shell Scripting · Web Design · Windows

Undergraduate Teaching assistant • University of Guelph

1998 - 1998

Taught lab sections and graded projects for two different semesters.
Advised students on course material.

Accounts Payable Clerk • Autocom Manufacturing

1997 - 1997

Performed invoice and purchase order receiving.
Matched invoices and purchase orders.
Entered data into an AS/400-based accounting system.
Consulted with other employees about incomplete or delayed information reporting.

Production Support • Crate Designs (Heirloom Canada)

1995 - 1996

Moved to a perpetual inventory system using MISys and ACCPAC.
Maintained inventory records (item lists and inventory).
Produced production scheduling reports.

Data Entry and Processing Assistant • Dr. David L.G. Noakes, University of Guelph

1995 - 1995

Entered data for a private library of research papers on Ichthyology.
Entered and processed data for a paper by a research assistant of Dr. Noakes.

Accounting Clerk • Prior Resource Group (various clients)

1994 - 1994

Coordinated four employees for preparation of incoming cheques/cash.
Performed A/R duties and filing.
Performed A/P data-entry.

Typesetter • Ontarian

1993 - 1993

Performed entry and layout of ads (text-only ads).

Youth Literacy Assistant • Wellington County Literacy Council

1992 - 1992

Promoted youth literacy including creating advertisements and administering a youth writing contest.

Community Contributions

Board Member • Midland Public Library

2023 - Present

Trained for roles and responsibilities of the position of board member for an accredited Ontario Public Library through opportunities from the Ontario Library Service and the Midland Public Library board member portal.
Reviewed, queried, and commented on financial reports as a member of the Finance Committee.
Reviewed, queried, and commented on policies of the library as a Policy Committee member.

Tutor and Retail Clerk • Gateway Centre for Learning

2018 - Present

Provided tutoring in English, academics, and technology including planning and preparing material.
Provided customer assistance and sales for Gateway’s Bookmark Used Books

Volunteer Maker • Midland Public Library

2017 - Present

Created and presented talks on various talks on various computing topics for adults.
Taught basic electronics, coding, and robotics, quite enthusiastically, to a group of children eight to twelve years old as part of team of volunteers for a “Bot & Bytes” workshop series.
Participated in and offered advice to MPL as a member of the Makerspace Advisory Group.

Member, Midland Accessibility Advisory Committee • Town of Midland

2018 - 2022

Reviewed site plans for accessibility issues.
Reviewed other town matters for accessibility related concerns under the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act).

Open-Source Developer • Various Online/Offline Projects

2004 - Present

Collaborated with international teams on projects including OpenWrt, various Hugo themes, and more.
Added projects to which I created, or have contributed, at https://gitlab.com/danielfdickinson and https://github.com/danielfdickinson.
Contributed directly and indirectly to Linux kernel (search for “Dickinson” in the source).
Created a custom Debian-derived distribution for use on old computers.
Assisted Bruce-Grey Linux Users Group in refurbishing old computers for United Way clients (STARS project).

Website Designer • United Way, Guelph

2001 - 2001

Designed and deployed a website for the Guelph United Way which enabled the campaign associates to easily add news items.
The site as it was (except graphics) can be viewed using the Wayback Machine at https://web.archive.org/web/20011127114742/http://www.unitedwayguelph.com/

President of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Club • Central Student Association, University of Guelph

1997 - 1999

Performed executive duties for the SFFH including promotion, activities, membership matters, and administrative duties.

Education

Cross-skilling in Microsoft’s Power Platform and working toward several certifications
Present
CompTIA A+ • ce Certification (view online)
2023
Smart Serve® • Ontario Government Online Certification (expired due to Cannabis Act)
2020
3D Printer and Laser Cutter Certifications • MPL MakerPlace
2019
Tutor Training • Gateway Centre for Learning
2018
WHMIS • Online certification
2016
Soft Skills Solutions® • HERO Centre
2016
Volunteer Training • CMHA, Hanover
2005
Bachelor of Computing / Baccalaureate in Computing • University of Guelph
2003
OSSD (OAC) • ADHS
1992

Awards

Dean’s Honours List • University of Guelph
1997
J.A. Howsen Brocklebank Grade Thirteen Award (First): Highest in school on best seven O.A.C credits • ADHS
1992
J.A. Howsen Brocklebank Award: For male who contributed most to high school life • ADHS
1992
Special School Letter • ADHS
1992
School Letter • ADHS
1991

Download resume in PDF format

Daniel F. Dickinson’s Resume - Feb 2024