A selection of my technical and personal projects.
A collection of projects spanning software development, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, computer hardware, and entrepreneurship, combining university coursework with independent ventures and practical experience.
Overview This project was completed as part of my Cloud Computing studies at the University of Otago. The project involved using Terraform to provision and configure cloud infrastructure on Amazon Web Services (AWS), applying infrastructure-as-code principles to automate resource deployment and management. Project Background This project builds on my earlier Multi-VM Web Application, where I deployed a Movie & TV Watchlist application across three local virtual machines using Vagrant and VirtualBox. ...
Overview Developed a full-stack Movie & TV Watchlist web application deployed across three Ubuntu virtual machines. The project focused on building a multi-tier architecture, separating the frontend, application logic, and database into independent systems. The application allows users to browse, search, filter, and sort movies and TV shows, with watchlist statistics displayed through a web interface. What I Did Built a three-tier architecture using separate web, API, and database servers. Developed a Flask REST API to handle requests and communicate with a PostgreSQL database. Used Apache to serve the frontend, built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Configured networking and communication between the three virtual machines. Used Vagrant and VirtualBox to provision the Ubuntu environments. Automated environment configuration and deployment using setup scripts. Implemented testing and verification scripts to check application functionality. Key Takeaways This project strengthened my understanding of full-stack web development, virtualisation, networking, and database integration. ...
Overview From February 2021 to September 2022, I built and operated a cryptocurrency mining rig using repurposed computer components. The rig was housed in a server rack and powered by five NVIDIA GTX 1660 graphics cards. I used NiceHash to sell the rig’s mining computing power, generating approximately NZ$80 per week during profitable periods. The project recovered its initial costs before Ethereum transitioned from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake in September 2022. ...
Overview In 2020, I started a PC building and resale business, combining my interest in computer hardware with entrepreneurship. Over the period I operated I built over 100 PCs, never received a negative review and generated more than NZ$25,000 in revenue. What I Did Sourced new and second-hand PC components. Built, configured, and tested desktop computers. Diagnosed and resolved hardware and software issues. Managed component purchasing, pricing, and sales. Communicated directly with customers throughout the sales process. Reused components where possible to reduce costs and electronic waste. Key Takeaways Running this business helped me develop practical technical skills alongside an understanding of pricing, cost management, and customer service. It also gave me experience independently managing a business from sourcing components through to completing sales.