Lead software engineer offering private online lessons in programming and web development. I help my students get through a tough course, change careers or simply pursue their hobby.

Learn more about Jason

• Can you tell us about your first experience using a computer?

  My dad brought home one of the early-ish Apple Macintosh computers in the mid 90s. It didn't have colour, was a literal box and was very basic. But one very cool thing was that when you turned it off, it used to say "My mind is cooling" in a robotic computer voice. When I was a kid, I used to watch my old man doing repairs and re-installing Windows (which wasn't as simple as it is now - you actually had to use a terminal) and it looked like the coolest thing. That's probably how I got into computers myself - though I'd eventually go down more of a software route.

• What is the technological evolution that has marked you most and what will be, in your eyes, a turning point in this field?

  I'd probably have to give it to the creation of the internet. The internet (and web) has become so massive - everybody who uses a computer, smartphone or any other electronic device undoubtedly is communicating with other devices over it. Not only has it completely changed the landscape of computing from a single user sitting on an isolated, disconnected desktop, but it's created so many jobs and opportunities - including for myself. A close 2nd choice would have been the development of smartphones, but I don't think that would have happened without the prevalence of the internet already being there.

• Explain your expertise, your interest in it and, more broadly, its importance in the computer world.

  My professional focus is on backend APIs, particularly using .NET and AWS. As I mentioned in my last answer, there is so much communication happening between devices as part of our day to day lives; reading emails, scrolling through Facebook, watching Netflix, using Google Maps, etc. Each of these activities involves communication between a front-end (what the user sees and interacts with) and a back-end (programs that live and run on one or more servers). Without backend APIs, we would have beautiful screens - but we'd be back in the old days of isolated, disconnected devices.

• Do so-called 'visionaries', such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg inspire you or do you have other role models?

  Of the three mentioned visionaries, I definitely align myself more with Gates than either of the others. He and Paul Allen (who founded Microsoft together) were both programmers. They didn't just come up with ideas, they actually built things, too. Moreso, I think that the world is actually a better place thanks to the things that Microsoft produced - I'm not sure I can say the same about social networks. Other role models of mine are probably less famous - they're the honest, hard-working leaders and managers that I've worked with and learned from in the past.

• What would you say to an uncomfortable person in front of a screen who says that "IT is too complicated"?

  Rome wasn't built in a day :) There is a lot to learn about what's going on behind that screen, but take it one step at a time and you'll get there before you know it. Also, it helps if you have a goal - something that you're trying to achieve. That way you can focus your time and energy on learning the right stuff to help you achieve it.

• What are your other passions, related or non-related to computers?

  Well, of course I enjoy teaching! There's a certain satisfaction that I get from explaining concepts and things that I've had to learn the hard way to somebody in a way that's hopefully light and funny - or at least, easier than it was when I learned it myself. Other than that, I'm very much into Japanese language and culture (I lived in Japan for 2 years where I met my wife), travelling and creative writing.