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About Me
As a Linux systems analyst and sysadmin, I use monitoring tools and observability software to collect and analyze full-fidelity data in real-time for the context of what’s happening. Afterwhich, I optimize and maintain client infrastructure remotely using a terminal emulator (Terminator) with SSH (Secure Shell Protocol).
Sys-ad-min: A person responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems; especially multi-user computers, such as servers.
In 1996 my parents purchased a desktop PC with a CRT monitor and enrolled for dial-up internet. This enabled my interest in the internet and information technology to grow even more.
At the time, options for tech-related education were limited on the island. Regardless, I made it a goal to become a web developer. After high school, I enrolled in NRI schools (McGraw-Hill Education) for a remote course in web development. By 1999, I started working with the “Antigua Sun” Newspaper as a web developer.
Also, in the late 90s, I built purehonda.com, which grew to over 200k monthly visitors and 50k members.
PureHonda was featured in Sport Compact Car, Super Street [2 times], and Honda Tuning before I sold it on Sept 10th, 2001; the day before the 9/11 attacks and just before the dot-com crash.
In 2004, I launched PinStack.com, a smartphone discussion community. Then in 2009, I sold it. It had grown to over 3 million monthly pageviews and 700k members by then. Next, I sold Coolvibe.com after one year of record traffic.
These and other websites allowed me to achieve my goal of becoming a web developer but also helped in expanding my knowledge and experience in Linux server and application performance.
Looking back, I was employed full-time for almost ten years, where I gained added hands-on experience with PC support, IT support and finally, network routing and switching.
Currently, I run StackLinux.com – Linux web hosting – while supporting clients from my home office on the island of St. Kitts. Let’s connect on LinkedIn.
Media Mentions
Quoted in the front-page article: ‘Unprecedented’ cyberattack involved tens of millions of IP addresses. — CNN
“Hayden, thank you for your image optimization suggestion. Millions of web surfers now get a faster web experience because of it!” — Cloudflare.
“PinStack.com is a virtual playground where technology buffs network, trade advice, and get the latest gadget news!” — Ottawa Citizen.
“PinStack.com …a complete Blackberry guide!” — TheRecord.com
“For the extent of the problem [Blackberry Addiction], see the BlackBerry Addicts Confession Page on PinStack.com” — Newsday.com
“Pinstack, which is one of the more popular Blackberry forums…” — ZDNet
“Coolvibe is a site dedicated to showcasing the best and most inspirational digital art from around the web — be it science fiction, fantasy, retro, 3D, illustrations, vector art, and virtually everything else.” — 1stwebdesigner
“Purehonda.com is the distilled, 100% unrelenting Honda fix you need. If it were possible, we’d tell you to open a vein and pump the HTML directly into your bloodstream.” — Super Street Mag
“With all the vinegar and spice of a tabloid newspaper, Purehonda.com crowds an immense quantity and variety of information into its display page. There’s enough information and stimulation here to captivate the Honda/Acura addict for hours – if not days!… if you stop by, we’re sure you’ll agree that Purehonda.com comes as close to achieving a “virtual community” for Honda and Acura partisans as anyone on the web!.” — Sport Compact Car
Listed multiple times as a top Honda enthusiasts resource — Honda Tuning Mag
Current Home Lab setup
Hardware list (Amazon affiliate links): StarTech 12U Wall Mount Rack, Acer LCD monitor custom-mounted to a 1u top-mounted blank, EdgeSwitch 10xp, 16 port cat6 patch panel, EdgeRouter 10x, Netgear 4G modem (isp2), Motorola cable modem (isp1) and RPi 3 b+, AC Infinity 1U Universal Rack Shelves, 1u blanks, Thinkcentre M73p and Thinkcentre M715q, AC Infinity cloud plate intake fans, CyberPower 500v UPS, AC power strip – Covered by 1U security Plexiglas and not pictured are 2 Unifi APs and 2 Unifi AP Beacons.
– Read the full article: Home Lab Beginners guide – Hardware.
Work distro history
Distros used longer than six months: Arch, Ubuntu 6.06+, (k)Ubuntu 14/16, Mint 5/6, Crunchbang, Kali, Debian 5/6, Debian 8/9, Debian SID, Fedora 27+, Manjaro + i3 and currently Ubuntu 20.04 LTS w/ Pop Shell i3-like tiling.
Work laptop history
Starting from 1998: Dell Inspiron 7000 A366LT, Thinkpad T40p, Thinkpad T60p, Thinkpad x301, Alienware M14x R2, Alienware 14 and the Pinebook Pro as a +1 travel only.