---
title: "About Me"
created: "2025-06-18"
date: "2025-06-18"
slug: "about/me"
published: true
layout: "page"
tags:
  - about me
  - developer journey
  - software development
  - linux
  - web development
  - backend
  - frontend
  - programming education
  - open source
  - problem solving
  - collaboration
  - self-taught
  - computer science
  - system administration
---

# About Jason Poage / My Journey

## Introduction & Professional Summary

Hello! I'm **Jason Poage**, a passionate and self-driven **software developer** based in Panama City, Florida. My journey into programming began at age 12, sparking a lifelong dedication to understanding complex systems and building robust solutions. I possess a strong foundation in **backend development, web technologies, and Linux systems**, and I'm adept at handling frontend work to deliver comprehensive web applications. I'm constantly exploring new ways to enhance efficiency and create impactful tools.

---

## The Early Spark & Foundational Skills

My fascination with technology began early. By age 12, I was already diving into **HTML, CSS, and JavaScript**, quickly expanding my skillset to include **PHP and MySQL**. In high school, I completed an entire web design course in just two weeks, spending the rest of the year assisting classmates and pursuing personal coding projects. This early self-driven approach laid the groundwork for my continuous learning journey.

My early explorations included developing extensions for **phpBB and PHP-Fusion**, which evolved into building my own **content management systems and discussion boards** from scratch. This hands-on experience instilled a deep understanding of core web development principles, leading me to explore **functional programming, RESTful APIs, MVC paradigms**, and modern frameworks like **React, Express, and Node.js**.

---

## Deep Dive into Systems & Linux Proficiency

My technical curiosity extends deeply into operating systems and system administration. I've been actively using and exploring **Linux since age 16**, gaining **extensive practical experience** with various distributions including **Fedora, Debian, Arch Linux, Gentoo, Slackware, Ubuntu, and most recently, NixOS**. My **strong understanding** spans critical areas such as **file systems (Btrfs, Ext4), file permissions, logical volume management, PAM, Kerberos, SSSD, and Access Control Lists (ACLs)**. I'm also **highly proficient with Git** for version control.

I particularly enjoy optimizing my development environment, which includes extensive use of the terminal. I love writing **shell scripts** to automate tasks and boost productivity, and I rely on tools like **tmux** to manage my workflows efficiently.

While my primary focus is on web technologies and Linux, I also have experience with **Python** and have experimented with languages like **Clojure**, always eager to expand my toolkit and find the right solution for the problem at hand.

---

## Beyond the Keyboard: Problem-Solving and Collaboration

My passion for technology extends beyond writing code; I'm equally driven by the challenge of solving problems, improving processes, and fostering effective collaboration. These are values I've consistently brought to my academic and personal projects.

For instance, in a project management class, I noticed team disorganization was hindering our progress. I proactively developed clear templates and introduced a role-based system that empowered everyone to self-assign tasks. This simple change fostered transparency and minimized micromanagement, leading to a remarkably smooth and efficient project completion that almost seemed to come together on its own.

I also find immense satisfaction in helping others learn. I often prioritized assisting classmates who were struggling with complex topics like computer programming and SQL. Confidently leveraging my own efficiency and time management, I provided one-on-one tutoring, and it was incredibly rewarding to see their competence grow and their dependency reduce over time.

Another memorable experience was during an Internet of Things course. I quickly realized the textbook examples were dysfunctional due to outdated libraries. Rather than just pointing out the problem, I took the initiative to debug and resolve these issues. I then shared my solutions, not only helping my classmates implement fixes but also assisting the professor in understanding and teaching the corrected labs, significantly improving the course experience for everyone involved.

---

## Educational Journey & Continuous Learning

My academic path has evolved with my passion for technology. While I initially earned an **Associate in Arts (AA) degree** with a focus on business, preparing me for an accounting program I ultimately chose not to pursue, my true calling in computer science became clear.

I am currently pursuing an **Associate in Science (AS) degree in Software and Database Development**, a program perfectly aligned with my interests. Additionally, I am fulfilling the requirements to matriculate into **Florida State University's Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science program**. This focused educational journey, combined with my extensive self-taught background, fuels my continuous growth as a software developer. I've consistently made the **Dean's List** and was invited into the **Phi Theta Kappa honor society**, reflecting my commitment to academic excellence.

---

## Connecting & Contact

I'm always open to discussing new projects, sharing insights, or exploring collaboration opportunities. Feel free to connect with me through my contact page or reach out via my professional social media:

<a href="#"><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/simple-icons@v11/icons/linkedin.svg" alt="Link to LinkedIn Profile" width="24" height="24">
</a>
<a href="https://github.com/jpoage1"><img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/simple-icons@v11/icons/github.svg" alt="Link to GitHub Profile" width="24" height="24" /></a>
<a href="/contact"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="feather feather-mail">
<path d="M4 4h16c1.1 0 2 .9 2 2v12c0 1.1-.9 2-2 2H4c-1.1 0-2-.9-2-2V6c0-1.1.9-2 2-2z"></path>
<polyline points="22,6 12,13 2,6"></polyline>
</svg></a>

I look forward to connecting with you!
