About Gary

Gary Richards

Age: 30
Location: Sittingbourne, Kent

Formal qualifications
RedHat Certified Engineer
Sun Certified Java Programmer
HE.net IPv6 certification

Education
BEng Computer Systems Engineering – University of Kent
GCSE/A-Levels – Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Faversham

Occupatation
I have recently started a business called KayCero Limited. KayCero offer Linux consultancy and support.

Previous Occupations
PayPoint.net – Senior Linux Systems Administrator.
The Bunker Secure Hosting – Support Team Leader
Cairn Research – System/Network Administrator, Electronic Engineer

Technical Interests
Obviously I have a keen interest in computing… A vague list of computery related things that I do/am involved in when not at work are:

  • Gentoo Linux – It amazes many of the people I know that you don’t have to run Windows on your computer. Gentoo Linux is currently my preferred flavour of Linux (for personal use) and I occassionally try to devote some time to helping the community to improve it, filing bug reports, creating/updating the occassional ebuild, etc.
  • Virtualisation – I became interested in virtualisation whilst assisting in building a staging environment whilst at work. I’ve taken the idea further in my spare time and now offer KVM based virtual machines under GaSiD Solutions. KVM offers a number of benefits over other virtualisation technologies that I have encountered. I have also integrated a number of useful features such as allowing users greater control of their virtual machine and the ability for me to offer a managed firewalls for each virtual machine.

It kind of comes with the territory of computing, but i’m also a keen gamer. Generally the usual things… Grand Theft Auto, Sega Rally, Time Crisis, Guitar Hero on Tour, WWE Smackdown vs RAW *innocent whistle*, but occassionally a bit of retro gaming, Secret of Monkey Island, Sensible Soccer, Cannon Fodder, Dizzy.

Other Interests

I do also have some interests that don’t (always) rely on staring at a screen of some sort.

I purchased a Fender Squier Tele electric guitar mid 2008 and have slowly been trying to teach myself how to play it. I have to say, it’s not the easiest thing i’ve tried to teach myself. I often find myself wondering if i’ll ever manage to play something other than ‘about a girl’ by Nirvana. I do hope to mention some of my thoughts/findings on learning to play the guitar, perhaps even a small tune or two at some point.

I’ve also become a (not so) keen DIY enthusiast. Often enlisting the expertise of my dad for guidance/assistance. I’ve performed various modifications to my house from total rewiring of power/aerial/network to creating/plastering/painting a built in wardrobe.