Web Development

I started tinkering with coding on the Web as early as 1998 — at the age of 11 — and I’ve been honing my skills on the cutting-edge since then.

I currently do most of my work in Python, utilizing the Django framework to create dynamic Web applications. My background is full of PHP development experience and I’ve worked in most contemporary languages from C to Java to Perl to Python. I’m a staunch advocate of Web standards and scripting that degrades gracefully. I’ve been known to get by as a designer, having learned typography, layout, and palette design in a print newspaper environment.

More professional details, including my resume, can be found here.

Here’s a short list of the projects I’ve been involved with:

  • The Spokesman-Review (2008-Present), the primary newspaper serving Spokane, Washington, and much of the Inland Northwest.

    I’m a development intern involved in a complete Web site overhaul project: from creating a brand new backend system in Django, to importing legacy data, to rebranding the Web site to reflect an improved user-centric product.

    Most of my work revolves around a mapping/locations application for the new site and implementing an integrated search engine. I’m also performing a lot of miscellaneous programming on many other aspects of the site, including user profiles, blogging, and templating.

  • Plus1 Media (2006-Present), a search-engine optimization, marketing, and Web development firm. Two Plus1 sister companies have placed in the “Inc. 500″ (Fastest Growing Companies) list over the past few years.

    I serve as an in-house XHTML/CSS design and Web applications expert and also perform some work on our lead databases.

  • The Maneater Student Newspaper (2005-Present), the official student newspaper of the University of Missouri–Columbia. I served as Online Editor from 2006-2007 and I’ve been an Assistant Online Editor since. (I’ve also been a senior staff photographer, reporter, and graphic designer at the Maneater.)

    I currently serve as the primary developer for our newly-launched site, built on the Django framework.

    I also oversee development of the Maneater’s online multimedia — in October 2007, I implemented and oversaw the production of the newspaper’s first podcast, paving the way for future convergence journalism projects at the newspaper.

  • Mizzou Hydrogen Car Team (2008) — Originally the university’s solar car engineering team, the Hydrogen Car Team is working on a student-built, hydrogen-powered vehicle to promote fuel cell technology and clean energy.

    I came on board in 2008 to maintain the Web site after the creator of the previous CMS moved on.

  • The National Newspaper Association (2007), a national organization which provides a community for hundreds of small to mid-circulation community newspapers. I was in charge of implementing a site redesign (now active) and a new CMS system.

  • MU Honors Student Organization (2006)