About Me

My passion for technology was deeply influenced by gaming. My top games of all time include:

1. Super Mario Galaxy
2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
4. Super Mario World
5. Stardew Valley

My programming journey began in elementary school with a summer program in game development. Though it started with block coding, it planted the seed for my future in software development. This early exposure, combined with my natural curiosity about how computers work, led me to discover my true passion in high school computer science classes.

My technical journey began with HTML/CSS in grade 9, followed by Python in grade 10. Since then, I've embraced the world of programming through various projects. The emergence of ChatGPT in late 2022 opened new learning opportunities, leading to my first major project working with OpenAI's API.

One of my proudest achievements is creating and maintaining a Discord bot, hosted on a modified Raspberry Pi 3B that I converted into a personal cloud server. This project led to developing my first documentation website at kaydonbot.xyz.

My interest in cybersecurity developed through self-study and mentorship from a fellow student who practiced ethical hacking. This combination of web development and security knowledge has shaped my approach to creating robust, secure applications.

K-Games&Collectables represents the intersection of my programming skills and personal passions. As an enthusiast of Pokémon cards, Magic: The Gathering, board games, and D&D, I decided to transform my hobby into a business venture. Rather than relying on expensive third-party platforms, I'm developing a complete e-commerce solution from the ground up.

This project has become my most rewarding technical challenge, encompassing:

• Custom API development
• E-commerce platform creation
• Inventory management system
• Secure payment processing
• Customer relationship management

My approach to learning is hands-on and project-driven. I believe in "learning by doing" and leveraging modern tools, including AI-powered assistants like ChatGPT, to enhance my understanding and problem-solving capabilities. This practical approach has helped me build a strong foundation in both front-end and back-end development.

Looking ahead, my primary focus is to establish myself as a full-stack developer. While I'm also intrigued by cybersecurity, I'm exploring how to potentially combine my early passion for law enforcement with my technology skills, perhaps through roles at organizations like the RCMP or CSIS.

I'm excited about the diverse opportunities in technology, whether that leads me to creating innovative web applications or potentially combining my technical skills with law enforcement in organizations like RCMP or CSIS. The beauty of technology is that it opens doors to many different career paths.

My career path wasn't always clear. Throughout my childhood and up until grade 11, I was determined to become a police officer. However, my experience with computer science courses in high school opened my eyes to the world of programming. The ability to bring ideas to life through code fascinated me and ultimately led to a complete shift in my career aspirations.

After high school, I initially enrolled in Computer Science at Algoma University. However, I found that the theoretical approach didn't align with my hands-on learning style. This realization led me to transfer to Sault College's Computer Programming program, where the practical, application-focused curriculum better suited my learning preferences.

The launch of ChatGPT in November 2022 marked a significant milestone in my learning journey. I quickly recognized the potential of AI as a learning tool and began exploring its capabilities beyond basic interactions. This led to my first major project working with OpenAI's API, demonstrating my ability to adapt to and leverage emerging technologies.

I'm particularly optimistic about the role of chat-based Large Language Models (LLMs) in education. These tools have enhanced my learning process, allowing me to dive deeper into complex topics and gain practical understanding beyond traditional classroom instruction.

One of my notable achievements involves repurposing a Raspberry Pi 3B into a versatile server. I modified the hardware with heat sinks and a cooling fan, transforming it into a reliable platform that runs Ubuntu Server. This setup now hosts my Discord bot and serves as my personal cloud storage solution.

This project led to the development of my first documentation website at kaydonbot.xyz, hosted on GitHub Pages. The experience taught me valuable lessons about server management, documentation, and maintaining live services.

Nintendo games have been a significant influence in my life, teaching me valuable problem-solving skills and creative thinking. From the intricate puzzles in The Legend of Zelda series to the precise timing in Super Mario games, these experiences have shaped my approach to tackling complex programming challenges.

My interest in cybersecurity grew naturally from my programming studies and was significantly influenced by collaboration with peers, particularly a fellow student who practiced ethical hacking. This exposure opened my eyes to the critical importance of security in modern software development.

I've developed a particular interest in web application security, API protection, and secure coding practices. These skills have become increasingly valuable as I develop my e-commerce platform and other web-based projects.

My technical journey has equipped me with a diverse skill set, ranging from front-end development to server management. I'm particularly proud of my ability to handle full-stack projects independently, from conception to deployment.