education
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2005 - 2006
University of Glasgow
Master of Literature , English LIterature: Modernities (with distinction)

1997 - 2001
University of Pittsburgh
Bachelor of Science , Information Science


skills
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Computing
Development in Ruby on Rails, PHP, Perl, C/C++, *AMP apps (web/database integration). HTML and web development (CSS, XML, database/CGI, CRM systems). Design of content management system using Rails and other frameworks. Utilisation of open source software to build network/production infrastructure. UNIX system administration: Debian/Red Hat Linux extensively + FreeBSD, NetBSD, Solaris, HP-UX, Irix, Compaq somewhat – installation, backups, management, security; Windows 2000/2003 Server and Active Directory administration; Microsoft Exchange Enterprise server; PostgreSQL and MySQL administration and development; Apache/SSL; Cyrus, Scalix and Atmail email systems; Samba; Kerberos; OpenLDAP; PC hardware and software maintenance (Windows 9x/2000/XP, Mac OS X); TCP/IP networking (DNS/bind, NIS, routing); firewall configuration (Cisco PIX/ASA and IPCop).

Music
Music composition and performance; electroacoustic improvisation, musique concrete construction, classical piano, guitars and other folk instruments plus viola, israj, harmonium, tenor saxophone, cello, etc.

Other
Research and writing (digital preservation, English literature, film studies, arts and entertainment journalism).

Software
Office applications, audio/video editing (Logic Pro, Cubase/Nuendo, Wavelab, Adobe AfterEffects, Final Cut Pro), graphics/publishing (Photoshop/Illustrator/et al), DVD authoring (DVD Studio Pro, Encore)



professional experience
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November 2007 to present
University of Glasgow
Humanities Advanced Technology and Information Institute
11 University Gardens / University of Glasgow / Glasgow / G12 8QH / UK
HATII Systems Programmer

Development of arts-based systems for academic and research purposes. Participation in digital preservation programming and research. Workpackage leader on Preservation Planning workpackage of Planets Project. System administration, infrastructure and maintenance. Database development, expansion and support.

June 2006 to October 2007
Serendipity Interactive Ltd.
141 St. James Road / Glasgow / G4 0LT / UK
Data Architect

System administration and software development (perl, PHP, C) with maintenance for national clients. Administration, support and troubleshooting of software (primarily Debian Linux, PostgreSQL platforms). Design and implementation of internal infrastructure including CRM customisation, Wiki/documentation, apache/Plesk webserver, custom inventory management, backups, and environment standardisation with puppet/OpenLDAP.

June 2000 to present
Freelance Programming and Writing
Various clients and locations

Website development for several clients involving database creation, customized design and functionality, content management. Network support for small businesses and arts organizations. DVD authoring including subtitling and menu creation. Audio engineering: tracking, mixing, mastering. Freelance writing for alternative newsweeklies and webzines. Book/literature reviews. Various programming tasks in perl/CGI and UNIX shell scripting for the occasional client. Basic website design and personal computing guidance/advice. Arts/music installation and performance projects.

Janaury 2005 to September 2005
Lexington Public Library
140 E. Main St / Lexington , KY / 40508 / USA
Information Technology Technician

Responsibilities include troubleshooting, support, and office maintenance. Administration of Linux and Windows 2000 servers, and support of Windows XP and 2000 desktops. Active Directory administration, Microsoft Exchange mail server, IIS webserver, and library databases including cataloguing software and computer management.

February 1999 to September 2004
UPMC Health System
Program in Epidemiology
WPIC / 3811 O'Hara St / Pittsburgh , PA / 15260 / USA
System Programmer/Analyst II

UNIX system administration and custom database/application development. Responsible for security and protection of confidential medical study data, operation and maintenance of all computer systems and administration of PostgreSQL databases. Also provided hardware upgrades and troubleshooting for PCs.

projects
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December 2000 to present
Cenotaph [ record label ]

Ownership and operation of independent label focusing on avant-garde and experimental music. Releases include CDs and LPs by Car Commercials, Burning Star Core, Eyes and Arms of Smoke, Scatter, Arco Flute Foundation, Earth Trumpet, Need New Body. Curation, production and marketing of releases.

December 1998 to present
Various musical projects

Solo and group recordings and performances including groups Lied Music (Glasgow, UK), Intro to Pterodactyl (Providence, RI), Land (Pittsburgh, PA), Shifting Vowels (Oslo, Norway), Bat Tarbet (Glasgow). Solo projects as John W. Fail, Oakwhistle, Handshake Garden, ?The 15,000 Day Boat Trip?. Other brief collaborations and workshops. For recordings and performance details, see below.

March 2006 to present
Sharks and Pfennigs [ label ]

CD-R and cassette label for limited production of art-edition releases. Includes releases by John W. Fail (solo and with Ben Reynolds), Oakwhistle, Minn Minn Lights, The Good Anna, Nonhorse, Matt McDowell. Distribution throughout US and Europe.

Various dates
Various art miscellany

A Tribute to Augie Leonard Sr. installation; “Mnemelish” DVD-r label; postcard project; curation of Garrioch Arms performance space; various concert booking and promotions 1999-present.

publications and dissemination
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Pores in the Porch and Puddles Beneath (CD), Soopa label [Porto, Portugal], January 2007
Collaborative CD with Spiral Joy Band
 
Other Green Worlds (Master's dissertation), University of Glasgow, September, 2006
 
Lied Music vs. Boy-Band Tax Returns (LP), Ultra Eczema [Antwerp, Belgium], March 2006
Collaborative LP with Boy Band Tax Returns.
 
'The Public Burning' by Robert Coover; 'Lookout Cartridge' and 'Actress in the House' by Joseph McElroy. (Book reviews), Ecriture: A Journal of Challenging and Experimental Literature, Vol 1 No 1 , October 2005
 
'Kalpa Imperial: The Greatest Empire that Never Was' by Angelica Gorodischer (Book review), Review of Contemporary Fiction, Vol XXIV No. 1, January 2004
 
A Tribute to Augie Leonard Sr. (sound/performance installation), with Michael Tamburo and Matt McDowell, @ FLUX Pittsburgh, June 2004
 
The Icewhistle (CD-R), Sharks and Pfennigs, March 2006
solo disc of israj improvisations
 
The Frozen Musics 1999-2005 (4xC-10), Dronedisco, July 2005
compilation of 8 projects: Land, Intro to Pterodactyl, Scandalous Falls, Come Cry, Fail/O'Keefe, Handshake Garden, God's Horn, Fail/McDowell
 
In India: audiotourism.2004 (Art booklet with CD-R), Sharks and Pfennigs, May 2006
Field recordings of India, recorded and compiled with photo essay.
 
Mnemelish (bootleg DVD label), , September 2004 - May 2005
 
Oakwhistle tour (performances), , October-December 2006
European tour including festivals in the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway; additional dates in Sweden, France, Italy, Poland, Germany.
 
Lied Music UK tour (performances), , March 2006
Live dates in Newcastle, Edinburgh, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, London, and Brighton.