A New Career

In the last six weeks I've changed jobs. My previous job was with SmartMedia Solutions as the Development Manager - a role that I effectively inherited due to staff churn and a bit of restructuring. While interesting and certainly a challenge, I couldn't see myself enjoying it long term because it didn't scratch my itch to develop software. Directing development is interesting but not hands on enough for me.

So, I had been in talks with my new employer Turboweb a long time before they were even at the point where they could afford to even think about employing someone. I suspected that things were about to happen and mentioned to the guys at work that there was a chance that the planets would align and I wouldn't be with them much longer. To my surprise a formal offer from Turboweb came just a few weeks after that announcement.

I served out my notice period trying to get everything ready for a replacement to step in, including trying to get together an appropriate job description and advertising it with a local recruitment agency. Seems that I left a hole that is hard to fill as three months down the track after announcing my departure they're still advertising. I wish them luck.

So, my new job as a Web Developer (I type the programs in with PHP/MySQL/Javascript mainly) thus far has been pretty rewarding from an interest point of view. I've gone back to my roots - hands on development has been my interest since I first got into IT and since I left my Web Developer job at Bluhalo I've been missing it.

We're shaping up to launch our Simple Content Manager (SCM) application to the world. I've been getting the application into shape (reviewing performance and security), hooking up a demo signup and expiry and getting involved with the marketing side of things. It's pretty exciting. Being a small company we have to be careful that we don't swamp ourselves on launch day so we'll probably dip our toe in the water first and see how we get on.

On the home front, things are cranking along with Linus being the most cutest and astonishing boy in the world (check out the Loopy Mummy Blog for reasons) and Ada has been giving us grins and the occasional giggle for the last month or so. I'm on the verge (maybe this weekend) of mixing up my next batch of home brew, a pilsner this time. Linus is staying away for TWO nights at Granny & Pop Pop's. I'm also researching options for replacing my home server, and will blog about that as it happens.

Oh, and the Scooter is still awesome, and the jacket that was a leaving present from SMS is almost twice as awesome as that. Keeps the cold and wet out, which is a requirement in the Dunedin winter. Thanks guys! :)