Companies I have helped:
A veteran developer with over twenty years experience delivering applications, games, web, IoT, online, social and mobile products. I have managed multiple teams, headed up development studios, and had direct relationships with publishers. Here are a small selection.
Third Space Learning
As employee #1 I took TSL from an idea to a complete online platform, garnering a total of $4.33M in funding, and an additional 250K in research grants. My role was to determine product strategy, team design, and structure to deliver the platform.
Playfish
As Playfish's software architect I designed and built solutions for the client infrastructure, working across all games under development. This enabled the teams to deliver on their promises with more efficient results, resulting in a $400M exit deal.
Education Games Network
My role defined and drove the company's technical roadmap as well as the architecture of both client and server systems. This required the ability to clearly define and implement across the tech stack, to ensure a working integrated solution.
Constant Commerce
My role focused on providing, and facilitating, best practise within the company. This included design and formalization of technology infrastructure to fulfill scalable business needs, allowing the company to grow with $3.39M funding.
Code With Bolt
Code with Bolt is a browser-based teaching language where I've worked as both an educator (building guided tutorials) and a technologist (designing a new progamming language, suitable for the target age group.)
Glu Mobile
This role permitted me complete control of the creation of a new team, and the implementation of a brand new tool chain. I was instrumental in creating a set of common tools that reduced operating costs and allowed the company to raise $84M in its IPO.
Technologies I have used:
Over the last 22 years I have used many programming languages, libraries, and tools. I have also discarded many as they no longer became fit for purpose in the current technological climate.
In total I have professionally used over 16 languages, giving me a deep and wide understanding of the field. I have even (re-)built the very first computer algorithm ever created in 20 different languages, as part of my Ada 99 project.
Here are a small subset of my currently favoured work horse technologies.
Ruby on Rails. 2010-present
For full-stack development work on multi-million dollar startups like Third Space Learning, and Wordia. Along with various smaller personal projects.
Javascript. 2005-present
For front end manipulation, games, image manipulation and in-browser application development, including WebRTC, VR, AR, and 3D rendering.
C/C++. 1991-present
A stalwart of all my native development, on PC, Gamecube, Xbox, Playstation, iOS, and Unix systems.
Alexa. 2017-present
I have produced multiple skills for Alexa, built a grammar correctness tool, and worked extensively in voice interfaces.
WebRTC
A platform and protocols to facilitate peer-to-peer communications within the browser. I have founded both the TSL and Simply121 companies using this.
jQuery
A ubiqutous technology which lowers the barrier to entry for Javascript developers. It is expected that most JS developers know this, but I'm asked about it so often that I have included it separately!
About Me
As a career technologist I have seen and worked in many areas of the industry, and continue to actively seek out new areas in which to apply my skills.
I work as a freelancer, consultant, contract, or permanent member of staff. On site, or remote.
Whatever it takes to get the job done.
Please look my Linkedin profile for a full breakdown of my career.
Publications:
As an advocate of self-improvement I have written five major text books, 60+ articles, and numerous blog posts.
Since 2003 I have been an active speaker and advocate across the globe, presenting workshops and lectures in Beijing, San Francisco, Lisbon, Brussels, and London. For a complete breakdown, please see my bio as a speaker.
Cross-Platform Game Programming (2005)
This addresses cross-platform programming issues by teaching programmers practical cross-platform development strategies for writing the same game, using the same code for several platforms simultaneously (PS2, XBox, PC, and GameCube, etc.).
Game Developer's Open Source Handbook (2006)
This uncovers this world of Open Source software and teaches developers what code is available, where to get it, how to incorporate it into existing processes, and, most important, how to adhere to the license agreements for redistribution.
Smart Home Automation with Linux (2010)
Linux users can now control their homes remotely! Are you a Linux user who has ever wanted to turn on the lights in your house, or open and close the curtains, while away on holiday? Want to be able to play the same music in every room, controlled from your laptop or mobile phone? Do you want to do these things without any expensive off-the-shelf kit?
Smart Home Automation with Linux and Raspberry Pi (2013)
Smart Home Automation with Linux and Raspberry Pi shows you how to automate your lights, curtains, music, and more, and control everything via a laptop or mobile phone. An improved and updated version of my 2010 book.
Polished Game Development 2016
Learn the things you need for a complete game, such as translations and tutorials, and improve the things you've already written to raise their standard to a professional level. This is a practical guide covering every discipline: art, music, writing, and code.
20 GOTO 10
20 GOTO 10 is a book of numbers that describes the many facets of computing history, focusing on the golden age of old computers and retro games and consoles of the 1980s and 90s.
Need help?
If you need help building your business or technology then get in touch!