Profile
In a nutshell, I build websites. The slightly longer version is that I build simple, usable, elegant websites, that focus on the people who end up using them, and that are based on web standards and semantic code that make them look great in modern browsers while still working in older ones.
I enjoy handling all tasks of web development myself, so I have a good grasp of what does and doesn’t work on the web. That includes everything from server configuration and back-end programming in a variety of languages and frameworks, to front-end and UI design using standards-based technologies such as HTML and CSS (including HTML5 and CSS3, which are used on this site – feel free to check out the source code!), information architecture, usability testing, and more. However, although I love the graphic design aspect of my job and enjoy doing it on my own, I am not a graphic designer, but I have no problem collaborating with a partner if I feel my skills aren’t enough for a particular project.
Experience
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Freelance – Caracas, Venezuela
Web developer, designer & consultant, -PresentI’ve been a web developer, designer and consultant since 2001, participating in numerous projects for clients in diverse sectors, mainly developing simple, elegant websites in valid, semantic HTML and using languages and frameworks such as Ruby on Rails, Django and PHP. Some of my most recent projects include:
- Twelección. Inspired by election.twitter.com, I built a small aggregator with Django, Google App Engine and jQuery that used Twitter’s API to gather the tweets about the referendum that took place in Venezuela on February 15th, 2009. I also included iPhone and mobile versions so people could use it on their mobiles from their polling centers. Diariocrítico.com described it as
stellar
. After the referendum, I modified the application and turned it into Venetuits, which gathers all the Twitter messages sent from Venezuela. - Cámara Venezolana de Empresas Administradoras de Sistemas de Compras Programadas (CAVECOMPRA) (2008-2009). Design and development of a brochureware site with a content management system built with Ruby on Rails using valid and semantic code, microformats and CSS3.
- Rachadell, Rangel & Moreno (2008-2009). Development of a website with a Rails-built CMS and blogging system for this prestigious Caracas law firm.
- Consorcio Famihogar (2007). Development of a brochureware site for Motobienes, Famihogar’s motorcycle scheduled-purchasing program. Designed in association with Posart Comunicación Gráfica and built in Ruby on Rails using valid and semantic code, according to W3C standards.
- Matco Technology (2004-2008). Development of corporate website and product catalog for this company, which specializes in the supply and sale of industrial equipment. Originally developed in PHP in 2004, and redesigned and rebuilt in Ruby on Rails in 2007.
- Sozter! (2006). Personal project, which consisted in the development of a full-featured blogging system in Ruby on Rails. I used that system to write this small blog about software, and used a modified version as a CMS for the original version of my personal website. Due to economic restrictions in Venezuela, both websites have been retired. An archived version of Sozter! lives on as a Tumblr blog.
- Meiru (2006). Another personal project, specifically my thesis for my degree as a Systems Engineer. It consisted in the development of a personal information management (PIM) web application using so-called Web 2.0 technologies. It was developed in Ruby on Rails with extensive use of JavaScript and AJAX (with Prototype and script.aculo.us), microformats, Atom/RSS feeds, and more. It received the verdict of sobresaliente con mención honorífica (“outstanding with honorific mention”.)
- Twelección. Inspired by election.twitter.com, I built a small aggregator with Django, Google App Engine and jQuery that used Twitter’s API to gather the tweets about the referendum that took place in Venezuela on February 15th, 2009. I also included iPhone and mobile versions so people could use it on their mobiles from their polling centers. Diariocrítico.com described it as
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DailyMe, Inc. – Caracas, Venezuela
Web developer, -PresentI took part in the development of the new version of DailyMe. My main responsibility was the development of the community features of DailyMe, a social network that allows users to post and share interesting news clippings, from DailyMe or external sites, with other DailyMe users or with external contacts, and to follow the stories shared by other users. I contributed my experience in social media and social networks to help improve the design, user interface and user experience of this community.
In addition to that, I assisted in the design of the DailyMe API that supports the entire system, and built several sections of the website, including the SERPs, category pages, focus pages, and part of the authentication system.
As of October 2009, I’m serving as analyst and consultant in the areas of search engine optimization, traffic analytics and social media, with the goal of increasing exposure and traffic to the site. During my first month in this position, traffic to the site increased by 48%, thanks in part to the use of social networks like Tumblr and Twitter to promote our content. DailyMe’s Tumblr blog has been described by the staff of Tumblr as “exemplary.”
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Estudios y Proyectos DITECH, S.A. – Caracas, Venezuela
Systems Engineer, -I was hired as a systems engineer for the role of “EPnetmaster” of Technip’s procurement web application, EPC-Business, in charge of the administration of the system. This included the administration of the system’s users; helping the company’s suppliers to register and prequalify in the system; creating and setting up projects, RFQs and bidder lists; and other support tasks. During my first month using the system I discovered a huge cross-site scripting vulnerability, demonstrated to my superiors how it could be exploited to steal a user’s login and password, and worked with the development team in France to help close the vulnerability.
Additionally, I worked as a procurement engineer supporting the purchase and expediting of equipment for EPC projects in the venezuelan oil industry, such as the HNAY (Naphta Hydrotreatment Plant-Amuay, Paraguaná Refining Complex) and CCO (Western Cryogenic Complex) projects.
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Banco de Desarrollo del Microempresario – Caracas, Venezuela
Intern, -University internship, which included the conceptual design of internal systems of this bank, providing advice regarding computer equipment and networking, graphic design of forms and other materials, and various support tasks.
Education
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Universidad Metropolitana – Caracas, Venezuela
Systems Engineer, - -
U.E. Colegio San Luis – Caracas, Venezuela
Bachiller en Ciencias, -
Training Courses
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IBM Megatraining – Caracas, Venezuela
IBM, -
Havard Negotiation Model Workshop – Caracas, Venezuela
Cambridge International Consulting, LLC, -
JADE (Juniors de Alto Desempeño) – Caracas, Venezuela
Estudios y Proyectos DITECH, S.A.,
Skills
- Solid knowledge of W3C standards, including HTML, CSS, valid, semantic code, and microformats.
- Knowledge of the particularities of the most important web browsers and techniques to maximize cross-browser compatibility.
- Principles of web usability and accessibility testing.
- Principles of SEO.
- Development of web applications in Ruby on Rails, Django, Google App Engine, CakePHP and ASP.NET MVC.
- Knowledge of JavaScript, and frameworks such as Prototype, script.aculo.us and jQuery.
- Design of applications with UML.
- Design and development of RESTful applications.
- Test-driven development, with agile methodologies.
- Experience with version control systems, specifically SVN and Git.
- Experience with RDBMS such as MySQL, Oracle, SQLite.
- Principles of graphic design and experience using design tools such as Photoshop, and Illustrator.
- Full operational command of the english language, with a band score of 8.0 in the International English Language Testing System.
