mb/tn/mb2

Sam Watkins




Skills

  • artificial intelligence, applied to real-world problems
  • enthusiasm, innovation, and careful attention to detail
  • rapid development, troubleshooting and debugging
  • 20+ years of professional programming: Python, C, JavaScript, Perl, Java, C++, Shell
  • Linux / UNIX devops, networking, tools, data science, AWS, GCP
  • full stack web app and database development: Apache, NGINX, PostgreSQL, Supabase
  • math, physics, modular design: "Simplicity, Clarity, Generality!", the UNIX philosophy
  • SDL, OpenGL, 2D and 3D graphics, image and video processing, audio and music synthesis
  • I enjoy teaching, tutoring, mentoring for programming, math, and physics


Work History

2023:Self employed at Allemande AI, offering open-source AI tools, apps, and consulting.
2021-2022:Freelance Software Developer with Toptal, a growing network of top talent in the world.
2021-2022:Software Developer with ServiceRocket and Meta aka Facebook.
2021:Software Developer with Ribbon Home, helping to make home ownership achievable.
2021:Software Developer with Tekt Industries, an award-winning IoT electronics company.
2020-2021:Online Tutor for math and programming.
2010-2019:Analyst Programmer at Linfox Armaguard, Australia's leader in currency management.
2007:Software Developer at Schoolsnet, a service provider for Australian schools.
2003-2004:Software Developer at FastMail, an innovative email provider.
2000-2002:Software Developer at Schoolsnet, a service provider for Australian schools.


Education

2021-2023:Practical Deep Learning for Coders, parts 1 and 2 with fast.ai.
Walk with fastai revisited, with Zachary Meuller
1998-1999:Bachelor of Applied Science (Computer Science and Software Engineering) at Swinburne University.
1996:Bachelor of Music at Melbourne University
1993-1994:VCE at Luther College, Croydon
1993:International Mathematical Olympiad, Australian Team Member (reserve)
1989-1993:Mathematical Olympiad enrichment programme
1989-1992:Melbourne Grammar School, South Yarra
1982-1988:Chum Creek Primary School, Healesville


Interests

family, music, reading, Aikido, rock climbing, ice skating, cycling, hiking;
AI, game development, digital music, free software, Japanese language;
programming languages, relational graph programming, flow-based programming;
digital graphics, math, fractals, video games, fine art