When my parents got this great tool I couldn't wait to learn it... and as so today is my Swiss knife.
In high school I thought to study Architecture but this thought was changed by the TI-83 calculator. It so happens that in Math and English classes I would play with the calculator (when I was done with my class duties), I learn its basic language and downloaded tools and games... Even made a helicopter game in its basic language using its drawing methods. Yep, it seem I could handle the countless hours of coding and debugging. So I decide to change Architecture for Computer Science because I like creating.
Around 2002, my parents bought the first computer and since I have been working on computers. Here I am now a few years later, finished my B.S. Degree on Computer Science, and I still keep learning. (^_^)
Some of the things I have learn to do with this tool are:
Currently I making my own PHP library/framework. I call it ABsolute COllection... [ab.co.] (at least my absolute collection). The focus of [ab.co.] is that everything written in PHP is an object.
[ab.co.] is not MVC... It looks more like Three-Tier Architecture. I did it this way, because I like to control HTML/CSS/Javascript separately (presentation tier). I have written a small blog platform, Control Panel called Infinity (I discontinued it), Point System, using the [ab.co.] library. The idea is to never write code twice, and it's working so far.
[ab.co.] contains Database Class (only MySQL for now, but ready for expansion), Element (HTML Markup), Sessions, Cookies, Authorization Class build on top of Sessions and Cookies, etc., things that get used a lot when programming Web Apps.
WordPress
Lately I have been coding at lot of themes and plugins for WordPress. Since I am familiar with PHP, it becomes easy for me to make/modify anything that WordPress has. I plan to launch soon a collection of theme addons called PressTO for my customers.
Flash / AS3
I've used flash and Action Script but now I am avoiding it a lot. Since there are good Javascript libraries I try to use them first, if this does not accomplish what I need then I'll use Flash.
HTML / CSS / Javascript
You are seeing it right now... Learned them on my own.
I can live without a computer, it's been proven. However, most of my work involves this tool so I keep close to it most of the day. I don't mind it although my eyes might.
The Lord God Almighty has bless me with this tools exactly when I need them. When I needed mobility I had a labtop. When I needed power, he gave such. I'm happy, He is good to me.
The PC shown at the pictures was custom ordered. I was in a budget too, but for only ~1.5K I was able to have this (some things I bought separately):
Intel i7 920 (4x) Liquid Cooling
9GB DDR3 RAM Kingstom HyperX
ATI Radeon™ HD 5770 1GB DX11
1TB (RAID 1), 320 GB, 250 GB Drives
Multi card reader, Bluetooth, Wireless LAN, Sony DVD/CD Burner
Acer 23" Monitor
Later I found out that my build looks somewhat similar to a Mac Pro Server... ¡eeek! The price differ however much. =)
