Pete Birkinshaw

Research and pilot development for the AARC (Authentication and Authorization for Research and Collaboration) project.

Middleware service testing: developing and supporting the automated test framework for BBC Search. This mostly involved using Ruby and Cucumber to test Java services. Part of the team that built http://www.bbc.co.uk/search

I developed and maintained the University's IT Account Manager software, which is used to supply new students and staff with IT accounts. I built and ran the University's web authentication services (based on CAS and Shibboleth/SAML) and provided 3rd-line support for the central identity management database. I created bespoke identity services and integrated University systems with third-party services.

I performed varied backfill duties for Systems and Networking staff during the merger with Manchester University. I was UMIST Hostmaster and Postmaster and maintained proxy, IMAP and webmail services. I also processed CERT incidents and coordinated copyright enforcement procedures.

I managed the development and maintenance of the Newcastle office network and intranet, Granada Learning's physical and Internet assets, co-hosted servers and VPN/WAN integration with other offices. I built a teacher-training classroom of 25 centrally managed PCs.

This position was a hybrid of Content Coordinator, Technical Support and System Administrator roles. I researched and implemented new features for multimedia products. I also maintained email and intranet servers and provided IT support to staff.

As a Content Coordinator I was responsible for acquiring, editing and supporting the content for a number of successful educational CD-ROMs. This included hiring and managing external authors, artists and actors, directing video and audio recording sessions, product proposals, and producing online and printed help and documentation.