Alex Bush

Video, graphics & content

• Edit video in VEGAS Pro, including gaming and motorsport-related projects
• Create graphics and visual material for personal projects, websites and gaming communities
• Create and manage content for online communities and personal projects

I'm hoping to add examples of this work to the site.

Sim racing

I race on my own dedicated rig, and I'd like to turn some of that into projects, such as race footage, edits or graphics. You can see the setup on my interests page.

Motorsport projects I'd like to do

None of these are finished yet, but they're the kind of work I want to get stuck into and add here:

• Social media content for a racing team or series
• Motorsport graphics
• Race reports
• Video and highlight edits
• Commentary or broadcasting practice

Home server / NAS

• Built and configured an Ubuntu Server NAS
• Configured RAID storage
• Set up remote administration to manage the server without being at it
• Hosted multiple game servers on the same machine
• Configured networking and port forwarding
• Diagnosed and resolved hardware and software issues

Challenge: I wanted to build a server that could provide network storage while also running game servers and other services on the same hardware.

Solution: Installed Ubuntu Server, configured the storage and networking, set up remote administration and then configured the individual services. I troubleshot issues as they appeared rather than following a fixed setup.

Result: A working home server that provides NAS storage and hosts services that I can manage remotely.

Minecraft server

• Run Minecraft servers for a small group of friends, typically around six regular players
• Paper for Java, with Geyser so Bedrock players can connect too
• Manage plugins, configuration, permissions and updates
• Troubleshoot mods, plugins, datapacks and resource packs, including compatibility issues
• Networking and port forwarding so friends can connect

Challenge: Keeping a multiplayer server reliable while running multiple plugins and supporting both Java and Bedrock players.

Solution: Investigated server performance, checked configurations and plugins, updated software when necessary and worked through networking and compatibility problems.

Result: A functioning multiplayer server that I maintain and troubleshoot myself.

For safety, I don't publish IP addresses or details of my home network.

Personal website

• Build and maintain my own website using HTML and CSS
• Ongoing updates to layout and content
• Use AI as a development and learning tool, then edit and maintain the result myself

Challenge: I wanted somewhere to show my projects and technical experience without relying on a pre-built portfolio platform.

Solution: Built the site myself and use AI as a tool when I need help with code, layout or ideas. I then edit, test and maintain the actual website myself.

Result: A portfolio website that I can continuously update as I learn new skills and complete projects.

PC building

• Built my own desktop PC
• Diagnosed and repaired hardware faults when components failed

Challenge: My PC has had hardware and stability problems, including issues after changing components.

Solution: Tested individual components and configurations, checked BIOS settings and isolated the problem rather than replacing everything at once.

Result: I was able to identify faults and get the system working again, while learning more about diagnosing PC hardware.

Other things I've made and done

• Regularly experiment with Linux and new tools outside school, learning by applying them to real projects
• Help friends and people around me with PC hardware, software, gaming setups and technical problems
• Practised for my driving test using a driving simulator alongside lessons

Server / NAS

• Operating system: Ubuntu Server
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GT 710
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Storage: RAID-based NAS storage
• Services: NAS storage, game servers and other self-hosted services
• Administration: Remote management

Desktop PC

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti OC 8 GB
• Memory: 32 GB DDR4
• Motherboard: MSI B550 Gaming GEN3
• Power supply: Corsair RM650e
• Storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD, 1 TB SSD, 250 GB SSD and 2 TB HDD
• Operating system: Windows

Network

Home network with router-configured port forwarding for externally accessible services. Server managed remotely.

PC hardware and RAM troubleshooting

What went wrong: My desktop experienced RAM and configuration stability problems after changing the motherboard.

How I found the cause: Tested different BIOS and memory configurations and compared the behaviour with different settings.

Fix: Adjusted the configuration and investigated the hardware rather than assuming the RAM itself was faulty.

What I learned: Hardware troubleshooting is often about isolating variables and testing one change at a time.

Minecraft server performance

What went wrong: The server started experiencing periods of significant lag.

How I found the cause: Checked server behaviour and resource usage and investigated the server software and installed plugins.

Fix: Worked through the configuration and software to identify potential causes and made changes to improve stability.

What I learned: Server performance isn't always a hardware problem. Software configuration and individual plugins can have a major impact.

How I set up port forwarding for a game server

1. Give the server a consistent local IP address.
2. Find the port used by the server software.
3. Create a port-forwarding rule on the router.
4. Make sure the server and firewall allow the connection.
5. Test the connection from outside the local network.

I don't publish my IP address or router details.

Building a PC

1. Choose compatible components based on the intended use and budget.
2. Install the CPU, memory and storage onto the motherboard.
3. Install the motherboard, power supply and other components into the case.
4. Connect power and data cables and check everything before starting the system.
5. Configure the BIOS and install the operating system.
6. Test the system and troubleshoot any problems that appear.