About
Software Engineer
In my 23+ years of experience in this industry I have covered most aspects of Internet development including consulting, website architecture design, web application development, database design and administration, server configuration and administration, performance optimisation for medium and high traffic websites, as well as project management for small, medium and large scale projects.
Although my initial background was the LAMP stack, that is Linux, Apache, MySql, PHP, in 2013 I started to transition towards the emerging javascript frameworks, as a result these days I'm specialised in Node/Express, Angular and React/Redux. HTML, CSS, web standards, accessibility are skills equally important that I also keep up-to-date.
Ultimately I enjoy the balance that is the result of doing both front and back-end development, that's how I ended up being a full-stack developer.
I firmly believe technology is neither good or bad (those are Human attributes!), it's all about how we use it and to me it is meant to make our everyday life easier, I do my best to reflect this in the work I deliver.
Keywords: Javascript, Node/Express, React/Redux, Typescript, Angular, JQuery. AWS, serverless. Mobile, Electron, Phonegap, Ionic. LAMP, OO PHP, Shell scripting, MySql, PostgreSQL, MS Sql, database design. Zend. Symfony. HTML, HTML5, XML, CSS, SASS, LESS. Drupal 5, 6 and 7, Drupal theming, Drupal deployment, Drush. TDD, Cucumber, BDD. GIT, SVN, CI (Jenkins, Hudson, TeamCity, Travis). Apache, Nginx, Linux, server administration. Optimisation and performance (caching, memcache, boost, varnish), maintenance tools. SEO. E-commerce, third party integration, REST, SOAP. Agile development method. Photoshop, PSD to HTML, JPG to HTML. End to end development, back and front-end development, responsive design.
Work
I developed my first website in 1996. In 1999 developing for the Internet became my full-time profession.
Current position
A wonderful virtual reality project to be part of, I've joined Melody VR to help building the back-end services using AWS serverless technologies together with Node, MySql and other Javascript technologies. I'm also leading the development of an extensive administration platform using React.js
A challenging project for the Department for Education, I'm currently part of a skillful team of developers, testers and UX designers. The chosen stacks are NodeJs + ExpressJs together with the pure HTML, jQuery and GDS standards for the back-end, and Angular 4+ for the front-end.
An exciting opportunity, I am currently working on a variety of platforms and projects. This role is giving me the opportunity to contribute with an extensive knowledge of LAMP stack and Drupal framework as well as newer technologies such as AngularJS, MEAN stack and other Javascript frameworks.
A full-stack role involving the implementation of a wide range of technologies (PHP, Silex, Javascript, HTML/SASS/CSS, etc.), I joined the iPlayer Radio team to contribute in the development of new software and maintenance of the existing code base.
Check out some of the new Radio homepages:
I joined a team of skilled web developers to produce and maintain a wide range of projects, in this case the chosen platform was Drupal 7 (PHP/jQuery/HTML/SASS).
I was hired to join the team in charge of developing a new mobile app for the National Lottery. The chosen technologies for this project were NodeJS, AngularJS, Jasmine, HTML, CSS/SASS, Javascript, PhoneGap and Ionic.
Hired as a full stack developer, I contributed in the continuous development and maintenance of iBroadcast publishing tools, I was also involved in developing new tools that were to be launched in 2015.
Wagstaffs Design was in need of a developer capable of delivering a complete solution, the challenge was creating an interactive map on large screens for the Mall of Berlin, this came in the form of a 3D Unity map integrated to a Drupal site with a complex jQuery layer. I assessed the project, re-did 85% of it and delivered it as expected.
The second project I worked on was LocaLove, a Drupal 7 site that relies heavily on its responsiveness.
I also helped the agency to set-up a Linux based development environment at their office and to start using an Agile approach on their projects.
- Mall of Berlin - http://www.mallofberlin.de
In this short contract I was hired to work on the analysis and prototype code to migrate Croner-I products into Drupal 7 platform. The content was provided in XML Smart Content format, the approach for the migration was a Drush command combined with OO, Drupal compliant PHP code.
I joined the World Service Responsive team which was in charge of developing brand new responsive websites for BBC News in 28 languages. A mobile-first, progressive enhancement approach was adopted to develop a fresh and modern user experience for more than 1200 devices, here are some of the sites:
BBC News language sites on responsive was the People's Voice Winner in 2014, have a look:
http://pv.webbyawards.com/2014/mobile-apps/all-devices/best-practices
This was a role that involved front and back-end development as well as server configuration and fine-tuning, all in an Agile development environment. This first class team used to follow the best Drupal and coding standards and practices. Our achievements include:
- Development of a new website for Autocar – http://www.autocar.co.uk
- New theme and functionality expansion for What Hi-fi – http://www.whathifi.com
- Further developments and bug fixing of Virtual Venue Visit – http://www.virtualvenuevisit.com
- Development of a new, multi-locale website for Stuff magazine – http://www.stuff.tv
- Development of a new website for Four Four Two – http://www.stuff.tv
- Development of What Hi-fi Awards
- Further developments and ongoing maintenance of the following business units:
- Gramophone - http://www.gramophone.co.uk
- Classic and Sport Cars – http://www.classicandsportscar.com
For Public Zone my main responsibility was finishing The Urban Gateway. I took over the development of this United Nations website first by fixing existing bugs and architecture problems and then expanding the functionality to meet the client's requirements.
Amongst the websites delivered are:
- The Urban Gateway – http://www.urbangateway.org - a website for the UN and my main assignment
- Card Aid - http://cardaid.co.uk (Charities Advisory Trust)
- Good Gifts - http://www.goodgifts.org (Charities Advisory Trust)
- MyFarm.org – site currently off-line
For Brainstorm Digital I did a wide range of work that included developing Drupal websites from scratch based on flat designs, working on existing Drupal websites to expand their functionality, an example of the latest is the Jewish Historical Society of England, for them I built a Drupal module to convert a PDF book into nodes (web pages), all linked by a main index and other standard navigation. Finally, I also worked in modifying and extending a complex PHP/MySql custom built CMS that is being used by several of their clients.
Firechaser Ltd (acquired in 2012 by Made Media) specialised in developing Drupal websites integrated to Tessitura, a ticketing software system. Their main clients were large venues such as the Southbank Centre, Roundhouse (Camden Town), King's Place, Rose Theatre (Kingston upon Thames), Wigmore Hall, Cheltenham Festival, Newcastle National Theatre, Shetland Islands Boxoffice, Young Vic, Grange Park Opera and more, for each of these clients we designed and delivered state-of-the-art Drupal websites that offer online ticket purchase and reservation to their customers.
My responsibilities involved amongst others: continuous development and maintenance of a Drupal module and submodules to integrate Tessitura into our websites; integration of different e-commerce solutions such SagePay and TNS; development and implementation of an intuitive and friendly checkout process and in general all aspects of the web development process, including dealing directly with clients to provide advice, support and integral solutions.
Some of the websites delivered:
- Southbank Centre - http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk
- Roundhouse - http://www.roundhouse.org.uk
- Young Vic Theatre - http://www.youngvic.org
- King's Place - http://www.kingsplace.co.uk
- Wigmore Hall - http://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk
- Theatre Royal (Newcastle) - http://www.theatreroyal.co.uk
- Grange Park Opera - http://www.grangeparkopera.co.uk
- Shetland Islands Box office – http://www.shetlandboxoffice.org
- Cheltenham Festival – http://www.cheltenhamfestival.com
- National Theatre – (early development phase)
Not enough? Check my LinkedIn profile
Skills
I am constantly upgrading my skills, currently these are the core ones.
- Pure Javascript
- Node / Express
- Angular
- React (with Redux and other popular libraries)
- jQuery and popular libraries (_underscore, Ramda, etc.)
- MEAN - MongoDB, Express, Angular, Node
- MERN - MongoDB, Express, React, Node
- LAMP - Linux, Apache, MySql, PHP
- HTML (HTML5)
- CSS
- SASS / LESS
- MySql
- MsSql
- PostgreSql
- Mongo DB
- Cosmos DB
- Jasmine (and popular libraries)
- Protractor for Angular
- Enzyme for React
- Cucumber
- Unit testing
Contact
Use the form below to message me.
Alternatively, email me at hello [at] pris54.co.uk - I'll get back to you as soon as possible