TekTinkers Short Story
TekTinkers has gone through many names, revisions and changes. These have all had a significant impact on learning how to make the next version better. Starting as just a basic white html page to give my kids and their friends links to resources and notes, like how to log into the Garage LAN’s Wi-Fi, TekTinkers now highlights a collection of resources and activities that have been added over the years.
All of this really started with Minecraft.
Being the single parent that dismissed Minecraft initially, 3 keys were bought to play Minecraft Java. One for each of my kids and my key actually came later. Both kids were playing for a few days and wanted to play together, only the world was not available 24/7, only if one kid had their world online from their PC. They begged for a world that could be online 24/7 and my key was used for that, only I had to be online. Being inconvenient for myself, trying to do work with a Minecraft world running in the background, it was time to build a server. After dusting off an old PC, learning windows, security, networking and basic router functions, the Minecraft server was up and running. The kids begged to make the Minecraft server so their friends could join from school and from all over the world. Learning more about advanced networking, security, routing and DNS, we had our first public server. Not having a way to communicate with their friends, another smaller PC was configured to host a TeamSpeak server. Lastly, Minecraft gaming parties were requested and with some help from my mentor at the SBA (Small Business Administration), the garage was volunteered as LAN Center.
Future challenges including constantly working with Network Lag for the players within the LAN and outside the LAN from across the world. Hardware issues, what is better to run Minecraft on, Windows or Linux, what distro and what flavor of Minecraft is used, Network issues, the ISP only providing 35Mbps Up / 250Mbps Down, newer technologies that can be utilized and implemented to make the experience better, were sought out constantly.
And then it was time to get a real education.
Minecraft and the Garage LAN directed me to go to school. Signing up for classes in Network Administration, anything learned in class was implemented in the Garage LAN and toward the Minecraft server, to include all other servers running, since things had grown. Classmates came to the Garage to learn, Professors asked to take field trips to the Garage so the students could see a piece of the Cloud in real time.
Being fascinating and fun, it is time to finish up my education, get that Diploma and pursue a career in IT while keeping a Minecraft server online and further developing this webpage.
Education – Courses
H.S. Diploma
USAF Leadership School
General Education
Aircraft Engines
Airframe Sys / Components
ACFT Maintenance Fundamentals
Preflight / Postflight INSP
Fighter Aircraft Maintenance
Aviation Maintenance Mgt
Leadership Mgt
Managerial Communications
Military Studies
Intro to Engineering
Freehand Drawing
Color and Design 2D
Art History
Data Communication
Linux OS
Computer Support Ess
Network Sys Admin
Network Security Fundamentals
Computer Ethical Hacking
Windows Server
Network Tech / N+
TCP/IP Protocols
Network Admin
Networking w/ TCP/IP
Web Publishing
Hardware & Software Mgt / A+
Network Mgt & Infrastructure
Server Environments
System Hardening & Net Risk Mgt
Cloud Comp & Governance
Information Technology Project
Experience – Awards
Graphic Artist
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
GCTS Training Technician
Support Section Technician
HAZMAT HAZCOM HAZWASTE Mgt
Vehicle Fleet Manager
Building Manager
Technical Order Manager
Assistant Squadron Deployment Manager
Owner – Drone Startup (Surveying)
FAA Certified / Licensed UAS Pilot
Owner – TekRP (LAN Center)
AF Achievement Medal
AF Outstanding Unit Award
AF Good Conduct Medal x3
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
AF NCO PME Graduate
Airman Maintainer of the Quarter x2
AF Honorable Discharge
Volunteer & Charity
On November 2, a team of gamers partnered for a charity Twitch livestream to raise money for the Boot Campaign. Over the course of 10 hours playing “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare,”
the streamers raised over $72,000.
Multiple donors gave more than $1,000. The largest single donor was streamer Randall Philippi, who gave $11,200 spread across all the different participants.
“He came in with those huge donos,” said Cuevas, impressed. “He said he doesn’t have a big family himself, so the military is his family. He’s been watching Matt, JT, and all these guys since Article 15 and the transition to Black Rifle. He actually sent me pictures of his huge Black Rifle display and everything. Awesome dude, super kind.”
Setup, administrated and teardown of Fundraiser at Horizon Church for eSports over night gaming event.
Nov 2017 – Setup, administrated and teardown of Fundraiser at Mango’s for weekend gaming and Star Wars Battlefront 2 release party.
Volunteered at LANFest to setup, work, teardown 100 – 500 person LAN.
Raised money for Make-A-Wish foundation.
2017 – A wall on the border of the school grounds was heavily graffitied with profane and vulgar text. Randall Philippi selflessly had paint color matched and painted over the wall on his own time, so traffic going to and from
the school would not be subjected to the Graphiti.
During the painting, the “artists” made an appearance and Randall invited them to help paint in exchange to be a part of his “Gaming Garage”. The artists agreed, enjoyed the benefits of the “Gaming Garage” and the Community was kept cleaner while the “Gaming Garage” was open.
Awards
ExtraLife Gold Hero Medal (Raise $1,000+)
Special Thanks
After asking where to purchase a fridge to put in the Garage LAN for my kids and their friends to grab drinks from, Coke replied, “Hold my Coke” and sent one!
Thank You So Much!
Affiliates
