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Ongoing Projects

Microcyte Content Management System
Microcyte is a PHP/javascript based website Content Management System. Its main feature is direct inline in-place editing of content.
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Snatch (Mac OS X)
Snatch is a website scraping tool which can be used to retrieve links, images and email addresses from a given webpage and linked pages.
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Distribution (Mac OS X)
Distributions is a mailing list management tool for Mac OS X. It features support for Multiple Classifications and some CRM functions.
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??? (Mac OS X)
This is a new project I am working on for OS X (leopard). more soon!
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Opinions & Views

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Cloud Hosting
You may already have heard of Cloud Computing, Cloud Hosting is an exciting extension of this relatively new area.
Back Online!
I'm now back online after an outage in America caused my Hosting Provider some downtime.
Batch WMA conversion for iTunes
Recently I had to convert a shed load on WMA's to work with iTunes on a Mac, heres how I did it at no cost.
MicroCyte - The Database Question
As I work towards the 2.0 release of MicroCyte I wonder whether I should scrap XML/static files in favor of a database?
Review - iMac 24 inch
I've recently had the opportunity make extensive use of a 24" iMac 2.8Ghz, here's what I thought!
Gig Review - Nizlopi
Recently I went to see Nizlopi perform at the Norwich arts centre, here's what I thought
MicroCyte Released
MicroCyte has been released! head on over to microcyte.co.uk to checkout the demo and download your copy!
Microcyte Gets Firefox Support
Very soon Firefox 3 will be released. This update will mean support for Microcyte CMS.
Site Update - Big things coming
Regulars may have noticed that the site has been quiet for the last few days, click through to find out why!
Microcyte gets comments engine
In the last couple of days I've implemented a comments plugin for my Microcyte CMS
Implementing a Dynamic SQL module
In Part 3 of building a DAL in Classic ASP I look at how I implemented my Dynamic SQL module to fulfull my DAL requirements
Dynamic SQL as a Data Access Layer
In part 2 of building a DAL in Classic ASP I look at how to create a functional Dynamic SQL module.
Data Access Layers in Classic ASP
Classic ASP is not known for its rich data access tools, so I look at how you can build a strong Data Access Layer.
Scripting languages vs frameworks
Are there compelling reasons for an old school scripting house to move to a new fangled framework?
HTML 5 working draft announced
After 9 months of work, the W3C has published the first working draft of HTML 5.
Increasing turnover with e-shots
E-shots can help drive targeted traffic to your website, but how do you avoid making them look like SPAM?
Introduction to A/B testing
A/B testing can be used to dramically increase conversions on your e-commerce site. Here is basic overview.
Security - Social Engineering
In the final part of 'how websites get hacked' I'm going to look at Social Engineering, the non technical hack.
Security - XSS and SQL injection
In part 2 of 'how sites get hacked' we look at XSS and SQL Injection
Security - how sites get hacked
In this brief primer we look at how websites get hacked and what to do to protect yourself (part 1)
MacBook Air - the morning after
After the hype has cooled down, what are the pro's and con's of the new Apple MacBook Air
Macbook air 300 pounds more expensive
Opinion: why is the Macbook Air a full 300 pounds (600 dollars) more expensive than in the US?

The services I offer - freelance web development and consultancy

If you like the content posted on this website you may be interested to know that I offer my skills on a freelance basis. I can currently provide up to 30 hours of time to clients on a weekly basis and in that time I can provide the following services:
  • All types of web development at any level
  • Technical web design and build
  • Consultancy services on all areas of web development, design and usability
  • Consultancy services on some areas of online marketing
  • I can provide contacts for specialist web development areas
I can also provide off-the-shelf CMS software configured to your needs using my personally developed Microcyte CMS system (demonstrations are available on request).
 
My time is currently charged at £25 per hour. To give you some idea, I can fully build a typical portfolio website (fully content managed) from drawing board to final product in about 5 days. Based on an 8 hour day this works out at about £900, roughly half what you would pay a fully fledged agency. I'm also able to provide e-commerce type website builds at competitive rates and can provide quotes on request.
 
Technical
For the more technical reader, a break down of my technical skills and experience follows:
 
Development technologies:
  • ASP.NET/classic experience - 6 years
  • PHP experience - 8 years
  • Ruby on Rails experience - 2 years
  • MySQL experience - 7 years
  • MS SQL experience - versions up to 2005
  • Macromedia Flash - All versions - 6 years
  • Very capable javascript development skills including DHTML and AJAX skills
  • Objective-C and Apple's Cocoa application development framework
  • Some C/C#/C++ development Experience
  • Java Servlets and JSP - 2 solid years experience
Platform technologies:
  • Windows 2000/2003 server
  • Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP (commonly referred to as LAMP)
  • Apache Tomcat and Resin experience
  • All versions of Mac OS X client
  • Mac OS X 10.2/.3/.4 server
Practical work experience:
  • 5 years experience working as technical web applications developer for UK HM Treasury/Cabinet Office reaching HEO grade (middle management level).
  • 2 Years experience working as Lead Developer and IT infrastructure manager for UK based publishing company (Positive Publications Ltd).
  • 18 Months at Affinity New Media, firstly as Senior Developer, then as Lead Developer.
  • 6 Months at Magic Online Solutions as Lead Developer.
Contact Me
Well if you got through all that then its likely that you're interested in hiring me! if you want to get in contact with me then the best way to do that is by using the email form on this website. I am happy to take on any size job so drop me a line and we'll talk about how I can help you achieve your goals.