David Letts - A Personal Portfolio

Early Beginnings:

My fascination with computers started when I was just a child. Our first family computer, an old hand-me-down that beamed bright green from the command line, introduced me to the world of technology. By the age of 10, I was already exploring the inner workings of computers. I remember both the excitement, and relief, when I first opened our Windows 95 computer to swap power connectors between the hard drive and CD drive, hoping I hadn't caused any damage – and I hadn't!

In junior high, I found a community where I truly belonged: the computer club. Meeting like-minded friends in the club was a turning point for me. I had always felt like an outsider until then, but the computer club became a place where I felt naturally comfortable and accepted. Although I wasn’t the most skilled among them, my enthusiasm and willingness to learn helped me become a valued member of the group. This camaraderie solidified my passion for technology and laid the foundation for my future endeavors.

Growing up, I was the go-to person when family members needed to discard old computers. I collected and refurbished these machines, giving them new life and gifting them to those in need. This hands-on experience was invaluable and ignited my passion for tech.

Education and Professional Journey:

In high school, I was part of the Digital Media Arts program where I learned 3D animation and film-making. Later I also explored various forms of art, including 2D sketches and metal engravings.

After high school, life took me on a varied path. I worked wherever I could get a job, but always felt a bit out of place. My journey included a significant detour when I had a severe motorcycle accident at 20, which resulted in a broken hip, collarbone, and a serious knee injury. After a lengthy recovery, I later became an apprentice tile-setter with Kenny's Tile in Grandview, Missouri, working in multi-million dollar homes. Despite enjoying the craftsmanship, my hip injury eventually made this line of work unsustainable due to chronic joint pain.

Rediscovering Tech and Professional Growth:

Approaching 30, I realized that my true passion had always been in tech. I started researching how to break into the IT field, leading me to take an internship at a computer repair company and enroll in an online programming course. Discovering the power of programming rekindled my love for technology.

I landed a contract with a data center, and after it ended, I took a temporary job while seeking my next opportunity. My persistence paid off when I joined AMC Theatres' IT helpdesk. Here, my love for movies made the job especially fulfilling. A quick six months later and I had advanced into Theatre Systems Implementation, where I worked on various projects and deployments. This role allowed me to expand my technical skills and gain invaluable experience.

Technical Skills and Projects:

One of my proudest personal projects was transforming a $40 Lenovo small form factor desktop into a Proxmox server, spinning up an Ubuntu VM to host this very portfolio website. I purchased the domain "davidletts.net" and configured Cloudflare's Zero Trust Tunnel to secure traffic with SSL encryption.

Personal Interests:

Outside of work, I have a variety of hobbies that keep me creatively and intellectually stimulated:

• 3D Printing and Electronics: I love creating things, and tinkering with electronics in my spare time.
• Music: I play the cello, bass guitar, and mountain dulcimer. I've even recorded a song with the local band "Missouri Loves Company," playing background cello.
• Art: My artistic pursuits include 2D sketches and metal engravings.
• Video Games: I enjoy playing games like The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Fortnite, Assassin’s Creed, Skyrim, Call of Duty, and Halo.

Personal Philosophy and Goals:

My journey has been about finding where I truly belong – with people who share my passion for technology. Despite the twists and turns, every experience has contributed to my growth and development. I believe in continuous learning and growth, and my ultimate goal is to transition into a role in software development where I can leverage my skills to build unique applications that help people.

Let's Connect

I’m excited about the future and the opportunities it holds. If you'd like to discuss potential projects, collaborations, or just share your love for tech, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. In the meantime you can check out my work on GitHub, or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit about me!