Technical Background | Jacob Zymet | A Peek Into My Brain

Technical Background

A categorized view of the computer technology and aerospace/spaceflight domains I am organizing this background into.

Like anybody, there are some skills that I have mastered previously but have not utilized in a long time, though they are still stored in the back of my brain and can be sort of "re-activated" when necessary. That is why I have included them here, even if they are not currently in use.

.NET Languages

C#

I have used C# for programs before (both GUI and CLI) on Windows and Linux machines. The GUI apps were usually only for Windows and were created through Visual Studio WinForms, and the CLI apps were usually for Linux programs. I don't use C# much anymore.

VB.NET

VB.NET is one of the languages I have used heavily for Windows desktop software, although mostly early on.

Backend & Scripting Languages

Python

Python is my main language for scripts, backend logic, automation, tooling, and larger programs and ecosystems that I create for private use.

Bash (Linux)

I use Bash on Linux systems for shell scripting, task automation, command pipelines, and day-to-day server operations.

Batch (Windows CMD)

I use Windows batch scripts for straightforward automation, repeatable system tasks, and command-line workflow setup on Windows environments. Though, I used it a lot more early on when I first first learning about computers.

Web Markup & Styling

HTML

Self-explanatory. I use HTML for building websites and web applications.

CSS

Also self-explanatory. I use CSS for styling websites and web applications.

Web Languages & Frameworks

JavaScript

I've primarily used JavaScript for static JS on websites, since this is infeasible to avoid. I'm not really the biggest fan of Node.js as I find Python preferable in the majority of scenarios, even for web development. I simply find Python to be a better language.

PHP

PHP-based websites and web apps are super easy (in my experience) to deploy and refine during the prototyping phase. Especially using control panels like cPanel, DirectAdmin, Virtualmin, etc. I've used PHP-based apps quite a bit and have worked with their code.

WordPress

I have experience working with self-hosted WordPress sites, including setup, ongoing management, plugin handling, and fixing the usual operational issues around them. It is an amazing software.

Development Tools & Version Control

Visual Studio

I have used Visual Studio extensively for Windows and .NET development, when building, debugging, and maintaining desktop applications.

Git

Self-explanatory. I use Git for code management.

Hosting Platforms & Billing Systems

cPanel

I have used cPanel for shared hosting administration: domains, databases, mail, files, SSL, backups, and account-level troubleshooting. It is (in my opinion) the best control panel for web hosting.

DirectAdmin

I have hands-on experience with DirectAdmin for panel-based hosting management and for handling the same operational work from a different stack and interface philosophy.

Plesk

I have worked with Plesk as a hosting control panel, including site management, mail, databases, SSL, and routine server-facing admin tasks.

Virtualmin

I have experience using Virtualmin for multi-site hosting management and for handling Linux-based web server administration through a panel layer.

HestiaCP

I use HestiaCP when I need a lightweight and straightforward web hosting control panel. I have strong experience with it, but I usually keep it to less critical production environments or non-production environments because the team and community are much smaller than Virtualmin, and the platform feels less mature overall, especially given its roots in VestaCP.

AMPPS

I have used AMPPS as a local web stack when I needed a fast packaged environment for PHP and database-backed web work.

WHMCS

I have used WHMCS for the business side of hosting, especially client management, billing, service provisioning, and general operational admin.

Clientexec

I have direct experience with Clientexec as a hosting billing and client management platform.

Blesta

I have used Blesta for hosting-related billing and account workflows and understand where it fits compared to the other common platforms in that space.

Web Infrastructure, Delivery & Data Services

Apache

I have used Apache in hosting and web-serving environments, including virtual hosts, configuration changes, SSL setup, and request-handling behavior.

PHP-FPM

I have experience running PHP-FPM as part of web stacks, including connecting it cleanly to the web server layer and managing it as an operational service.

DNS Management

I have experience managing DNS records and DNS behavior across production needs, including domains, record changes, propagation issues, and making sure the surrounding hosting stack lines up with the DNS layer.

CDN Management

I have practical experience managing CDN behavior around caching, proxying, edge rules, cache invalidation, and keeping origin behavior aligned with the edge layer.

Cloudflare

I have used Cloudflare for DNS, proxying, caching, SSL behavior, and the standard security and performance controls it provides.

Redis

I have used Redis in the context it is usually valuable for: reducing repeated work, supporting caching layers, and improving response behavior in active applications.

MariaDB / MySQL

I have experience working with MariaDB and MySQL for application and hosting use, including databases, users, permissions, imports, exports, and ongoing maintenance.

phpMyAdmin

I have used phpMyAdmin for practical database administration work when a web UI is the fastest way to inspect, edit, import, export, or troubleshoot database state.

Virtualization & Containers

Hyper-V

I have used Hyper-V for practical virtualization on Windows, including VM setup, guest management, and normal host-level administration.

VMware ESXi

I have experience working with VMware ESXi as virtualization infrastructure, but I would generally prefer to use other solutions.

LXC / LXD

I have used LXC and LXD for lightweight Linux isolation where full virtual machines would have been unnecessarily heavy because each VM carries its own independent kernel.

Proxmox

I have experience with Proxmox for managing mixed virtualization and container workloads from one platform.

Docker

I use Docker for deployment and environment tooling, including container builds, service layout, and keeping stacks reproducible.

Podman

I have used Podman as a container workflow where a daemonless model and tighter Linux-native control made more sense. I usually use it on RHEL or RHEL-derived Linux distributions, where Podman is generally better supported.

Windows System Administration

Windows 11

I have hands-on experience administering Windows 11 systems, including setup, maintenance, troubleshooting, and configuration work.

Windows Server 2022

I have Windows Server 2022 administration experience and am comfortable using it as server infrastructure.

Linux System Administration

RHEL

I have RHEL administration experience, including system-level work around packages, services, configuration, and ongoing maintenance.

CentOS

I have administered CentOS systems directly and know the operating model that historically made it common in hosting and server environments.

AlmaLinux

I have experience with AlmaLinux as part of the post-CentOS-shift RHEL-compatible Linux landscape.

Rocky Linux

I have used Rocky Linux in the same practical RHEL-compatible server context where stability and operational familiarity matter more than novelty.

Debian

I have direct Debian administration experience for systems where I want a straightforward, stable Linux base.

Ubuntu

I have substantial Ubuntu experience on both desktop and server sides, including normal provisioning, package management, service management, and troubleshooting.

Linux Firewalls

I have practical experience configuring Linux firewalls to control service exposure, lock down unnecessary access, and keep server networking behavior predictable.

Design Tools

Photoshop

I have experience using Photoshop for practical image editing and visual asset work.

Photopea

I have used Photopea as a capable browser-based design tool when I want Photoshop-style editing without needing the full desktop application.

Orbital Mechanics & Mission Design

Orbital Dynamics

Foundational principles of orbital mechanics, including Hohmann transfers, phasing maneuvers, different orbit types and their properties, and more.

Trajectory Planning

General understanding of orbital trajectories and special types of orbital maneuvers, such as low-energy transfers and co-apsidal maneuvers.

Launch Vehicle & Spacecraft Design

Systems Concepts

Basic principles of launch vehicle and spacecraft design, including Thrust Vector Control (TVC) and structural factors.

Attitude & Reaction Control

Understanding of attitude control systems and Reaction Control Systems (RCS) for orientation and maneuvering, including the different types of RCS systems and their applications (cold gas vs hot gas thrusters, making use of ullage/excess pressure/gases for attitude control, etc).

Materials Science

Foundational requirements for materials used in launch vehicles and spacecraft structures, including the different types of materials and their properties (lightweight vs heavyweight, strength vs weight, etc).

Propulsion

Engine Architecture

Fundamental concepts of propulsion design, such as bell nozzle and aerospike configurations, overall engine design (combustion chamber, throat, balance between nozzle overexpansion vs. underexpansion, etc), ion thrusters, liquid propellant vs solid propellant, and more.

Planetary Settlement & Habitats

Habitat Design

Fundamental physics and design principles for future human habitats on Mars, the Moon, Titan, and more.

Sustainability Physics

General constraints and requirements for long-term human presence on other celestial bodies.