tchalvak/odesk_profile.txt

## odesk_profile.txt
In a sentence, I code PHP web apps. I have coded and improved upon the browser based game NinjaWars.net ( http://ninjawars.net ) as a personal project since 2003, have been professionally freelancing building customized web applications and working with a PHP/MySQL based CMS for the last 4 years, and have been designing websites in html/css long before that.  In 2011 I co-founded my corporation with my business partner and we have been building up our small business since.

For me, security is paramount.  I've seen too many sites burned by bad php coding practices and under attack by sql-injection as a result.  I've done a lot of security cleanup work on sites that were coded by programmers without any oversight that resulted in compromised database data and a site that -looked- fine but was full of security holes.  And generally one of the first things that I do with a site is I review it's password security for the presence of strong security, that's frequently another pain point with the standard php website that leads to problems.  I usually program in an Object Oriented approach, though I have recently been exploring the benefits of Functional Programming as a simpler and faster alternative in some cases.  I'm flexible to working in a variety of coding styles, of course.

I have also come to the conclusion that the best way to write good code is to write good tests.  So these days, I work via Test Driven Design, spec out problems, then create tests, and only then do I create the code needed.  It's a great way to get solid, stable code done.

I'm capable when it comes to Ajax-like functionality that can't be accomplished elegantly via PHP alone, though I wouldn't call myself a javascript guru mainly because I prefer to do progressive enhancement, accomplishing all the basic functionality on the server side in php, and then enhancing the user interface appropriately with javascript.  It is actually rare that there is functionality that I can't create server-side before manipulating it with javascript, so that it degrades gracefully.  I am fond of the great development speed and simplicity that the jQuery framework provides, so I especially enjoy working on sites using jQuery.

The oncoming change from html4 to html5 is nice in terms of simplification, so I love to work on projects where I can simplify code by using html5 features where they degrade gracefully for older browsers.

Overall I enjoy the artistic side to creating good website design and the challenge of writing solid and secure PHP code as a website's foundation.
	In a sentence, I code PHP web apps. I have coded and improved upon the browser based game NinjaWars.net ( http://ninjawars.net ) as a personal project since 2003, have been professionally freelancing building customized web applications and working with a PHP/MySQL based CMS for the last 4 years, and have been designing websites in html/css long before that. In 2011 I co-founded my corporation with my business partner and we have been building up our small business since.

	For me, security is paramount. I've seen too many sites burned by bad php coding practices and under attack by sql-injection as a result. I've done a lot of security cleanup work on sites that were coded by programmers without any oversight that resulted in compromised database data and a site that -looked- fine but was full of security holes. And generally one of the first things that I do with a site is I review it's password security for the presence of strong security, that's frequently another pain point with the standard php website that leads to problems. I usually program in an Object Oriented approach, though I have recently been exploring the benefits of Functional Programming as a simpler and faster alternative in some cases. I'm flexible to working in a variety of coding styles, of course.

	I have also come to the conclusion that the best way to write good code is to write good tests. So these days, I work via Test Driven Design, spec out problems, then create tests, and only then do I create the code needed. It's a great way to get solid, stable code done.

	I'm capable when it comes to Ajax-like functionality that can't be accomplished elegantly via PHP alone, though I wouldn't call myself a javascript guru mainly because I prefer to do progressive enhancement, accomplishing all the basic functionality on the server side in php, and then enhancing the user interface appropriately with javascript. It is actually rare that there is functionality that I can't create server-side before manipulating it with javascript, so that it degrades gracefully. I am fond of the great development speed and simplicity that the jQuery framework provides, so I especially enjoy working on sites using jQuery.

	The oncoming change from html4 to html5 is nice in terms of simplification, so I love to work on projects where I can simplify code by using html5 features where they degrade gracefully for older browsers.

	Overall I enjoy the artistic side to creating good website design and the challenge of writing solid and secure PHP code as a website's foundation.