Well what can I say about myself? As you already would have guessed my name is Kheeran Dharmawardena and my alias in the cyber-world is prowler. Why prowler? Well, it comes from the time I used to use a 2400 baud modem and "surf" the dial-in Bulletin Board Systems. The first time I logged in, it was late at night, in my dimly lit room and I felt like a character from the movie sneakers who was prowling around for information. So when it asked me for an alias, I typed in prowler, and I've been using it ever since.
I am employed at Monash University as the Operations Manager for Network Infrastructure Services, where I look after the operation of the data and voice communications network. Strangely I even did my undergraduate Bachelor of Computer Science at Monash University doing and currently working towards an MBA, again at Monash.
On the technical side I am primarily interested in the design, deployment and maintenance of large scale networks. Over the last few years I have gained quite a lot of experience on the FORE/Marconi ATM gear, Cisco routers and some Cabletron/Enterasys ethernet switches. Operating a network which spans over 10 major locations in Victoria, 4 countries and has over 10,000 nodes with a team of about 20 has given me experience that I consider invaluable for me.
Though I am a techo at heart who enjoys working on the nuts and bolts of IT, I also have a keen interest in the management of medium to large organizations. I have a fascination with developing strategic direction and changing organizational culture to motivate staff towards the strategic goals.
I am also a keen linux fan. Though I don't believe its going to bring MicroSoft to its knees in the near future, it is sure giving and continue to give Microsoft a run for its money and while it used to be a techno heads OS, distributions such as Caldera are now catering for consumer market and will cause a lot of grief for Mr. Gates.
I was born and raised in Sri Lanka . If you are scratching your head wondering where Sri Lanka is, its the tear drop shaped little island below India, renowned world over for its tea (which is known as Ceylon tea, Ceylon being the former name for Sri Lanka) and one day cricket.
While in Sri Lanka I studied at Royal College . Royal is one of the oldest schools in the country being founded in 1835 by the British (Which is why it was named Royal college).
I moved to Australia in 1992 when I was 16. Since then I have spent most of my time in Melbourne.
I'm married to my lover and friend Jini Jayatilake, who also studied at Monash University. At the moment the two of us are busy fixing up and redecorating the house we bought in early 2000, which is proving to be a lot more expensive than we both anticipated! :(
My current hobby is photography. I primarily use a Nikon F70 SLR camera with a Tokina 28-70 lens. I'm slowly working on my photograph folio. My photography can be seen at Frozen Light.
Well folks, until I can think of some other juicy facts about me
to add to this,
Th...th...that's all Folks...