Services Offered
I offer a range of services from simple creation of static websites, to coding/slicing Photoshop PSD files, and writing fully functional dynamic websites, web applications with CMS (content management system) capabilities from scratch, i.e. the ability for you to add/edit site content yourself as and when required.
Websites
I hand code and validate sites against the W3C XHTML Strict 1.0 standard, testing them in all major browsers (Internet Explorer 6/7, Firefox, Safari).
Validating to standards helps to ensure both good SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and accessibility.
If the project budget does not permit the use of a designer I can use open source designs from resources such as Open Source Web Design and Open Web Design. Alternatively 99designs offer a contest based service "thousands of designers compete to create the best possible design to meet your needs".
Dynamic Websites / Web Applications
For more advanced websites and web applications where there is a requirement for content to be dynamically updatable, contact forms, online payments, mailshots, RSS feeds, user login, I use the open source scripting language PHP (including object orientated techniques), and the database application MySQL which are widely supported. I am also experienced at using JavaScript (including AJAX) to provide additional front end site functionality.
I have experience in implementing a number of 3rd party APIs:
- Google Maps / MultiMap / Mapstraction - Location based services (Estate Agents property listings, Vehicle Tracking)
- PayPal IPN - Online payments (Shopping / e-commerce websites)
- Clicktell - SMS Text Message
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) MTurk - Human Intelligence Tasks
- Right Move - Property Listing directory for Estate Agents
- PostCode Anywhere - Mapping / Location based services
- BT Web21C SDK - Voice calls, conferences, inbound / outbound SMS
- JpGraph Library - Graphs (Website statistics)
- Asterisk (PBX) manager - Phone system caller ID management
Secure online payments are handled using SSL certificates, and GnuPG encryption (where a service such as PayPal is not suitable).
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is accomplished via the use of Apache mod_rewrite to provide "friendy" URLs (i.e. slash based /home, /services, rather than e.g. ?id=123), along with validating code to standards.
Separate CSS stylesheet / JavaScript files are used to keep code more organised and maintainable. Design changes can be made in a single place rather than through the site.
CSS Print Media stylesheets are used to improve the readability of core information when printed, by removing styling information only valid on screen, and removing unnecessary page elements such as navigation.
Secure coding techniques are used throughout development to prevent vulnerabilities such as SQL Injection, and Cross Site Scripting.
Embedded Hardware
Although primarily focusing on web development, in the past I have worked on a number of embed hardware based projects including the following.
- Parallax Basic Stamp 2e integration with RW210 RFID reader for a door entry system.
- iRTrans (Infra red Ethernet device) web based control software for Sky Digital.
- Cisco 7960 VoIP phone XML browser services including address book, email, weather information.
- Telit GM862 GPS / GSM module integration (Python) with web based application for vehicle tracking / reporting using Google Maps API.