Senior .NET Software Engineer & AI graduate | Learn C#, .NET, AI and real-world software development

Learn more about Yiannos

• Can you tell us about your first experience using a computer?

  I borrowed a friend's ZX Spectrum to try games and program code.

• What is the technological evolution that has marked you most and what will be, in your eyes, a turning point in this field?

  The invention of the home computer, whereby you could have a cheap computer in your home, connect it to regular devices to keep it cheap, like a TV and a tape recorder, opened the world up to lots of kids like myself.

• Explain your expertise, your interest in it and, more broadly, its importance in the computer world.

  The concept that you could take a digital language and create something useful out of thin air, was what fascinated me. When I realized that, I could envision myself being nothing else other than a programmer. I was 13 at the time. I realized that I had problem-solving skills, and all I needed to do is learn programming languages, to be able and put them to use to better the world around me. I thought that the need for such people would only grow.

• Do so-called 'visionaries', such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg inspire you or do you have other role models?

  Yes they do. I would add Sir Clive Sinclair. His vision of a cheap computer with a version of Basic that accepted single-keypress commands, helped so many people to try programming. Steve Jobs had great ideas, which changed the marketplace, and Bill Gates, without being the best technically at the time, had a tremendous work ethic that allowed him to push his product while the competitors were sleeping.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  When doing my postgraduate degree in Scotland, I got to show our team's product (a 3D web application) to Prince Charles, and how to use it. He later asked me if I planned to stay in Britain or return to Greece.

• What would you say to an uncomfortable person in front of a screen who says that "IT is too complicated"?

  If you say "I cant learn this" I can not teach you it, no matter what. Only by allowing yourself to be open to learning, will it be possible for you to learn it.

• What are your other passions, related or non-related to computers?

  My other passions include playing and listening to music (I play the piano), I love sports, Basketball is my favourite, also love Tennis and football. I used to be a javelin thrower. I love cinema and TV, and reading educational books, not so much fiction. But I will read quality fiction as well, like Tolkien, Dickens , etc.

• What makes you a Superprof in IT?

  I combine industry level software engineering experience, with good delivery skills and patience. So what I teach goes beyond the academic, and I can actually upskill someone to be able to work for an actual software engineering job, having provided them with the industrial insight necessary.