Hello

I’m Dean Longstaff

Thank you for visiting my website. I am excited to share a glimpse into my professional work and personal interests. On these pages, you will find an in-depth look at my projects and a chance to get to know me a bit better. I hope you enjoy your visit and come back often to see what’s new. I appreciate your interest in my work and look forward to connecting with you.

Looking to hire me?

About Me

Hello and welcome! My name is Dean and I am a technology enthusiast who is passionate about both my career and personal hobbies. As a professional in the tech industry, I am constantly seeking new ways to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and innovations. I enjoy staying active through cycling, walking, and running in my spare time, as I believe maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for overall well-being. On my website, you will find a collection of my thoughts and projects centred around the tech world, as well as insights into my other interests and passions. Thank you for visiting and I hope you find my content engaging and informative.

What I Do

You could call me a workaholic 🤷‍♂️

ICT Career

I currently work at the Ministry of Justice as an IT Service Manager. As a manager and leader, I am responsible for ensuring that my team performs to the best of its ability.

Free-Lancing

Geekabit is an IT Services company i own in order to attract potential free-lancing jobs outside of my normal work. Click the logo above to learn more!

Developing

In my free time, I am constantly seeking opportunities to grow and improve my skills by actively developing solutions and applications.

As a drone enthusiast, I love nothing more than taking to the skies with my DJI Phantom 4 and Mini 2. Whether I'm capturing breathtaking aerial footage or simply enjoying the freedom of flight, there's nothing quite like the thrill of piloting a drone.

3D printing is a fascinating hobby that allows you to bring your ideas to life through physical objects. While it can be a bit of a headache at times, the end result is always worth it. As a proud owner of an Ender 3 Pro with various modifications, I have had the opportunity to create a wide range of objects, from custom parts and prototypes to unique gifts and decorations.

Linux is a powerful and versatile operating system that has captured the hearts of many tech enthusiasts. Personally, I wasn't introduced to Linux until 2019, but since then it has become a major part of my life. Currently, I have over 20 Linux servers running at home, each serving a unique purpose and helping me to better understand the inner workings of this incredible OS.

My Interests

These are things that i like to do

(Although i usually never get the time to do any of it)

Networking

As a network enthusiast, I am always eager to dive into the hands-on work of building a network from the ground up. There is something incredibly satisfying about the process of carefully planning and executing each step, and seeing the final product come to life. Whether it’s configuring servers and switches or laying cables and mounting equipment, I relish the opportunity to get my hands dirty and see a project through to completion.

Fitness

As someone who works in the field of information and communication technology, I understand the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work and physical activity. Spending long hours sitting in a chair can take a toll on both the body and the mind, which is why I make an effort to get out and exercise every day. Whether it’s a leisurely walk, an invigorating run, or a challenging bike ride, I find that regular physical activity helps me to stay energized, focused, and productive.

Servers

There is nothing quite like the feeling of bringing a new server online and watching it hum to life. As a seasoned IT professional, I have had the opportunity to set up a wide range of servers, from physical racks of hardware to virtual hosts running on Linux. While the process of configuring and optimizing a new server can be incredibly rewarding, it is not without its challenges. Troubleshooting issues and finding solutions can be a time-consuming and frustrating process, but the sense of accomplishment when everything comes together is well worth the effort.

Writing Apps

As a newcomer to the world of app development, I am excited to embark on this journey of learning and creation. In 2020, I purchased my first MacBook Pro and have been dedicated to learning how to create apps for iOS that are both functional and visually appealing. While I am still in the early stages of this process, I am determined to see my ideas come to life through the magic of code.

My Skills

I have always been a self-starter when it comes to learning new skills. From electrical work and woodworking to engineering and computer skills, I have taught myself a wide range of valuable abilities. However, it wasn’t until I began my career that I truly had the opportunity to expand my skill set and enter a whole new dimension of learning and growth.

Linux - Deployment, Administration and Container Management/Deployment
Deploying Linux VMs/Administration/File Control/Security Auditing.... 85%
Windows Server - AD/DHCP/DNS/DNSSEC/IIS/NPAS/FaSS/PaDS/RDP/WSUS
Windows Servers are easy peasy 90%
Networking Protocols - DHCP/DNS/DNSSEC/IPv4/HTTP/HTTPS/SMTP/IMAP/TCP/UDP/FTP/L2TP/SSH.....
I find networking protocols extremely interesting. 85%
Virtualization and Virtual Networking
Xen-Server/VMware/Hyper-V/pfSense 85%
Physical Hardware and Networking
Firewalls/Routers/Switches/Cat5e/Cat6/Hosts/UPS/NAS...... 95%
Microsoft Cloud Services - Azure/InTune/O365/Power Automate/Power BI/SharePoint
Currently developing my skills. 80%
Xcode - Started Learning June 2020!
Work Related

How to progress professionaly in your twenties

As a young professional, it can be frustrating to feel like your coworkers are not taking you seriously. However, with effort and dedication, you can build trust and establish yourself as a competent and reliable team member.

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ESP8266 Projects

How to make your own DIY Smart Blinds

Have you ever wanted to control your blinds with the touch of a button? You’re in luck! In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to build your own smart blinds for around £10. With a Node MCU running the program and an API built into the source code, you’ll be able to easily control your windows with the touch of a button. So why wait? Let’s get started on your DIY smart blinds project!

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Custom Firmware

How to Hack the Wyze/Neos Cam with Custom Firmware

Are you looking to integrate your NeosCam or WyzeCam v2 with a self-contained system, but not sure how? Look no further! In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to hack your camera with custom firmware that enables you to run your own RTSP server. With this, you’ll be able to seamlessly integrate your camera with any self-contained system of your choice. So why wait? Let’s get started on hacking your camera for custom RTSP integration!

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Linux Tutorials

How to Install and Configure HAProxy as a Reverse Proxy on Ubuntu Server 18.04 LTS

Ready to take your reverse proxy to the next level? In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to install HAProxy and configure it as a reverse proxy with advanced features like SSL Termination, HTTPS Redirection, and automatic certificate renewal. This will not only add security and performance to your server, but also make it easier to manage and maintain. So why wait? Let’s get started on transforming your Ubuntu Server with HAProxy!

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Linux Tutorials

How to Install and Configure Duplicati on Ubuntu Server 18.04 LTS

Ensuring the safety of your data is important, and what better way to do it than with Duplicati on Ubuntu Server 18.04 LTS? In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to install Duplicati as a service on your server, giving you access to a powerful and versatile backup solution with built-in AES-256bit encryption. Protect your data and peace of mind with Duplicati on Ubuntu Server. Let’s get started!

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