Thomas M. Blake

I want to work miracles. I love it when I do something that I've been told is technically impossible. I hope to make the world a better place and learn something new every day. If you want to pay me to do these things, then feel free to contact me. I would prefer a telecommuting job or one in the New Haven area.

I am able to assimilate new programming languages and development methodologies very quickly and easily. I am detail-oriented and am willing to work within local best practices, but I am always devoted to improving workflow and productivity.

My training and expertise are in Philosophy, particularly Ethics, but I have been programming computers my entire life. I am pursuing a doctorate in Computer Ethics at the RCCS and the CCSR. Computer Ethics is the most important field of study today, because its goal is to understand how to solve problems that have never been encountered before - this project is of obvious relevance to software development, especially on the frontier of the Web.

PhD/MPhil, in progress until July 2010
De Montfort University, Leicester, England
Studying in New Haven, CT
Major: Computer Ethics

Bachelor of Arts, May 2007
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, Connecticut
Major: Philosophy Minor: Computer Science, Asian Studies
Honors: Departmental Honors, Forest Peterson Award, Dean's List, Philosophy Club Vice President
G.P.A. 3.34

Expert Proficiency

• Learning new methods and technologies
• Logic / Critical Thinking / Problem Solving
• Ethics / Computer Ethics / Applied Ethics
• Philosophical Writing
• Proofreading / Editing
• Game Design
• English Language

 

Extensive Experience

• Adobe (Macromedia) Flex 3 / MXML / ActionScript 3 (Flash)
• Web / UI Design
• HTML / XHTML / XML
• JavaScript
• CSS
• Perl
• MySQL & Perl DBI
• LAMP / AJAX / DHTML
• C/C++
• Adobe Photoshop (including scripting and macro development)
• Customer Service
• Management
• Windows XP / NT / 9x
• System Administration (Unix / Windows)
• Java
• CGI
• Qbasic
• MS/PC-Dos

 

Moderate Experience

• Unix bash scripting
• Digital Design Techniques
• Data Recovery
• Software Development Methodologies (Agile, Scrum, etc.)
• PHP
• Ruby / Ruby on Rails
• Python
• x86 Assembler
• Multi-line Phone
• Spanish / Japanese Languages

Researcher / Website Consultant (2007-Present)
Research Center on Computing and Society, New Haven, Connecticut

• Offered Consulting on Website Design
• Conducting Research on Computer Ethics

Technical Specialist (Web Development / Surveys) (2007-present)
Bus Design, New Haven, Connecticut

• Expanded capabilities of survey software
• Oversaw high-profile studies
• Converted files for web
• Authored scripts for database management

Philosophy Department Webmaster (2006-2007)
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, Connecticut

• Maintained Philosophy Department website
• Oversaw major site redeployment

Webmaster (2004-Present)
Cinnamon Artist Studio, New Haven, Connecticut

• Designed initial site layout
• Offered technical consulting on 3rd-party sites
• Aided in business administration
• Working on Flex-based redesign

Audio Visual Department Student Worker (2003-2007)
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, Connecticut

• Supervised other student workers
• Performed maintenance and technical support on computers and A/V equipment
• Ensured proper handling of office paperwork

Receiving Manager (2002-2004)
Sears Hardware Store, Hamden, Connecticut

• Supervised receiving staff
• Maintained computer records and monitored inventory
• Customer service / Cashier

Department Manager (2000-2002)
Odd Job, Hamden, Connecticut

• Supervised store associates
• Maintained inventory records and ordered stock
• Customer service / Cashier

I like gadgets, all forms of art, and everything else that makes humanity better today than it was yesterday. I sometimes make chainmail and help sell artwork at conventions. I play Dungeons & Dragons and made this awesome Flex dice roller (currently in beta) to help speed up gameplay. I watch Anime and study the Japanese language.

I designed the original site for Cinnamon Artist Studio and I'm working on a major site redesign including Flex components. I follow blogs on web development and Flex.

I also have a personal site at http://thomblake.com. Yes, it uses tables. So does Google.