My name is João Alvim. I have just finished my masters degree in Formal Methods, Development Validation and Maintenance of Software at University of Minho. I love programming and open-source software, to which I am trying to make more and more contributions. I try to mantain a privacy lifestyle heavily influenced by Stallman's ideals. I don't use Google, I self-host my own files/photos driver, calendar at home using nextcloud for privacy and freedom. I can proudly say that I own my own data and have control over it without relying on third parties. Unfortunately I dind't commit 100% and I still use Youtube, if you know any good alternatives please let me know.
I started learning the harpsichord when I was 6, but two years later I changed to piano. I studied piano until I enrolled in university and attended a few piano jazz lessons.
I was introduced to programming when I was 10 in coderdojo, starting with scratch and soon after being introduced to python. Many years later, in university, I got the chance to be a volunteer there, teaching young kids! My journey on teaching kids continued as I taught chess in extracurricular activities at a local primary school for a year. It was also at university that I discovered Haskell. It immediately became my go-to language because it freed me from many programming chores, such as memory management and other low-level tasks. Now, I use it because I find it a more natural way to express ideas, supported by a strong type system.
Additionally Cofounded a Music Chamber group, Camerata Minhota at my university which I now perform with and administrate. Besides colaboratting for the Software Engineering Students Association CeSIUM helping them organize talks and events. Moreover, took charge as coach and manager of my university's chess club.