Welcome to Revo Place

I'm starting a new blog focusing on the technology I love and use everyday.  Come here to join the adventure.

My computer adventure started in the early (19)80's with the TI-99 and various Tandy Computers.  I was the family "Technical Advisor" even though I really only knew just a little more than they did.  Fascinated by what they could offer I was exposed to the Nintendo, ColecoVision, Adam, Amiga 500, Packard Bell, and a Cray Supercomputer.  Being just a youngling I was not allowed to play with the beta edition of Windows NT running on it, but it inspired me to keep my mind open and always be learning.

In the early '90s I entered the BBS scene and opened a BBS on my parents home computer.  Being the encouraging parents they are, and after seeing the first phone bill, they purchased a 2nd line on which I could run so their "ears would be preserved".  

In the mid 90's I was introduced to this novel Operating System named Linux and downloaded the first release on 14 1.44mb floppy diskettes.  Having only 10 disks available I downloaded the first 10 disks during a University class.  That night I began the installation, leaving the computer on and praying there would be no power outage I overwrote the first few diskettes to get the remaining installation images.  Success!  I was presented with a shell prompt of some sort and my lack of knowledge kept me from doing anything more than `startx` and `xeyes`.   

At University I was exposed to Caldera Linux, which I will still hail as the "easiest and most user-friendly" installation ever available.  Too bad their business ethics did what they did (enter groklaw).  

With only one "Java" programming class under my belt I began my career as a web-developer with the goal of using Java on the AS/400 (iseries (is it now series-i?!)) and learning how to install WebSphere v1 and v3 on the platform's IFS.  

The next 18 years I moved around, working in various government and financial institutions.  This gave me exposure to many different organizational structures and to this day helps me relate to the struggles many IT staff experience.  And yes, I believe I can understand the frustration of infrastructure administrators AND developers.  

In 2017 I discovered containers through docker and OpenShift v3.  I had no idea how big of an impact this would have on my career.  In fact, I was so impressed by the technology I jokingly sent in a resume in the hopes I could catch the train.  3 weeks later I arrived at Red Hat Tower in Raleigh, NC for my new hire orientation.  A few weeks after that I was sent to 2 weeks of OpenShift Bootcamp and was released into the wild as a Kubernetes (aka OpenShift) admin.  The journey from Java Developer to OpenShift infrastructure Administrator was enormous, one I am glad I made, and almost overbearing at times.  Thanks to the many great people at Red Hat and my great family I was able to made the transition.  

Now, I spent my free time playing with my son, building many things and dabbling in all sorts of technology.  This blog is dedicated to my Technology adventures and I hope it helps someone else.
  
  -Nate