About me
My journey with computers began in the summer of 1992. At the time, dad bought me my first laptop with a black and white screen; a 386 Intel processor; an 80 megabyte hard drive, and 4 megabytes of RAM. This computer, which was equated to a technical miracle, had an MS DOS operating system and a Windows 3.1 program (at that time it was still just a program, not an operating system). My father’s friend Sigitas helped me buy a computer and because of that he became my first teacher.
To try everything that is interesting
Sigitas very quickly taught me to understand computer systems using comparisons and real-life examples. I learned one important rule from him: “If you find something interesting on your computer, try it, and if something breaks up, don’t be afraid, you can always fix it.” Of course, I also learned to read the documentation, but it wasn’t complete on all systems, there were a lot of undescribed features.
Inspired by “Terminator”
I didn’t have Internet access at the time, but I wanted to access as many programs as possible, so I had to learn programming. The first languages I started learning were Basic and Turbo Pascal. It helped me develop logical thinking and apply the knowledge I gained in real life. Although the programs were simple, I still remember one of them. In the movie, called Terminator 2, John Connor breaks into an ATM using a computer and steals all the money. No, I didn’t rob the ATM, but I knew how to use the same program, which I proudly showed to my friends. After that, their jaws dropped, and to me it was like another puzzle put together.
Windows 95, the one that changed the world
Around 1995, I got a second computer with Windows 95 operating system and another innovation - a 9.6 kbps speed router. It shook my world!
Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer, Altavista searches, IRC channels, forums... I spent almost all of my free time on-line looking for new tools and programs. I also started to learn another programming language, called Delphi. It was a familiar, but at the same time completely new experience. Although the logic itself did not differ from other languages, new graphical elements emerged that were better adapted to ordinary users.
Linux tryouts
In 1999, I first tested the Linux-Slackware distribution. Although I was used to the command line, the world of Linux turned out to be different. Because I did not know how to connect to the Internet and launch a browser, I had to restart my computer, turn on Windows, and search for information many times. However, over the time, it became increasingly clear how to use this innovation. And to make the job easier for me, I learned how to write bash characters.
Two computers can do more than one
Finally, I didn’t notice how I started working with two computers at the same time: I used one for work and turned the other into a home server. Its purpose was to share Internet access and run an IRC bot. I started to like the services more and more, so I learned to compile and run virtual servers: Apache, PHP, MySQL. At the same time, I was very interested in creating websites using PHP, Javascript, and Flash technologies.
Remembering the quote `"if you find something interesting on your computer, try it" since childhood, I became interested not only in Linux systems such as OpenBSD, NetBSD, FreeBSD, Solaris, OpenVMS, but even Plan9. Many of the tests were proceeded using polarhome.com. By the way, this service still works!
Higher education steps
After graduating from school, I felt a little confused; although I had accumulated a lot of knowledge, but because I did not have enough good grades, I could not enter where I wanted to. This is where I remembered my second hobby, the audiovisual arts. So, after a short search of myself, I applied to Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) and got accepted. School grades allowed me to choose only the status of a free listener, but I decided to study under such conditions as well (free listeners do not receive a diploma and has to pay the full tuition fee). My chosen university is mainly for exact sciences, so IT knowledge and logical thinking paid off quickly; I was added to the student lists after the first semester and became a full-fledged student. Half a year later, I got into a state-funded place. I am glad that in addition to the subject I was studying, I was always able to choose programming lectures. During my studies, I further deepened this knowledge, got acquainted with C#, MS SQL databases.
The bread of a graphic designer and photographer
While still studying at university, I started working as a graphic designer, but at the same time I was able to help the company manage its IT issues. The computer was always at hand, and in my free time from lectures and work, I enjoyed programming and building new systems.
In addition, I was very successful in photography, so a few years after graduating from university, I started working as a freelance photographer. One by one, new interesting projects emerged, which brought me into this world. However, as soon as the design works occurred, I returned to them.
The programmer, who found his way
In 2015, I founded my own advertising and programming services company. At that time, I became really interested in e-commerce. I chose the PrestaShop system and using the knowledge that I had I created the first e-shop. The success of this project allowed us to offer our clients more programming services and at the same time reduce advertising costs.
It was a very exciting period of my life. I developed a POS system for e-commerce using React and REST API platforms, a loyalty program customer database with Laravel and Vue.js, a rental time calculation tool with Arduino and RFID cards, Python, MariaBD and similar systems.
But over the time, I got tired of being a one-man team. I didn’t want to play the roles of both director and sales manager because I was most interested in programming. I decided to focus on it, so I joined the company. When being a part of it, I can learn from colleagues, share my knowledge with them and create complex solutions together.
At the moment, I’m glad I’m a programmer who has discovered the perfect path and loves his job endlessly!