• Excellent understanding of the English language.
• Extensive web project team experience.
• Developing writing skills (database design and web programming - dmxzone.com).
• Thorough knowledge of the Microsoft platform, networking and operating systems.

• Web standards evangelist.
• Fairly good understanding of accessibility.
• Thorough knowledge of (X)HTML 1.0 and CSS levels 1 and 2.
• Thorough knowledge of current browser landscape.

• Pedantic hand coder.
• Keen interest in Agile and Extreme Programming methodologies.
• Excellent organisational ability, from asset management to code tidyness and elegance.
• Excellent understanding of Object Oriented Programming theory and system architecture.
• Excellent understanding of user interfaces and usability.
• Advanced knowledge of interactivity as a whole.

• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft′s IIS.
• Good understanding of other web server software.
• Thorough knowledge of HTTP, including the use of form and query string data.
• Thorough knowledge of client side Javascript / VBScript and the DOM, and thus DHTML.
• Thorough knowledge of JScript and VBScript ASP.
• Advanced knowledge of ASP.NET.
• Thorough knowledge of the use of XML over HTTP.
• Fair knowledge of XSL/XSLT.
• Fair understanding of web services.
• Fair knowledge of RSS.

• Thorough understanding of Actionscript 1.0 object model and behaviour.
• Thorough understanding of Actionscript 2.0 object model and behaviour.
• Thorough knowledge of Flash and working with external data.
• Advanced knowledge of Flash Remoting on both client and server.
• Advanced knowledge of Flex.
• Good understanding of Flash Communication Server.
• Thorough understanding of its use in kiosk environments.
• Advanced knowledge of use of media in Flash, such as fonts, video, sound, raster and vector artwork.
• Excellent file size and code optimisation skills.
• Good understanding of streaming.
• Learning Flash Lite 1.1

• Excellent understanding of the .NET Framework object model and behaviour.
• Solid understanding of the C# lanaguage.

• Thorough understanding of relational database design, normalisation, de-normalisation.
• Thorough knowledge of keys, indexes, constraints, triggers, stored procedures.
• Advanced knowledge of SQL on MS Access, MS SQL Server and MySQL.

• Working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop.
• Working knowledge of Macromedia Director.
• Working knowledge of Discreet 3D Studio MAX.

what i do

My strengths lie in the functional and technical think-work that happens early on in a project. I enjoy learning and understanding new business logic, and then applying disciplines such as system architecture, data modelling, and interface structure to automate or improve on this business logic.

I have extensive experience with data-driven web applications. In these, I have been responsible for modelling data, wiring business logic and building administration tools. Interface programming is another strong sphere of my experience; I use HTML, XHTML, CSS, XML, and client side scripting daily. I also have a thorough understanding of programming with Macromedia′s Flash authoring environment, especially when it comes to the use of external data.

what i′ve done

In the past, I have built simple to complex systems involving content management, contact management, product and order management, and reporting systems.

Examples include websites and/or touch-screen kiosks for a restaurant chain, an eye-ware chain, debt collection services, a photography studio, a new media awards website, a stock market trading group, oil companies, advertising agencies, tobacco companies, and so forth.

what i′ve used

Most of this data modelling has happened on the Microsoft platform with Access or SQL Server. I am proficient with the use of the open source MySQL platform too.

The majority of the business logic work is C# and ASP.NET driven, with ASP a close second. Each of these was used to generate HTML, XML, or SOAP to suit the client-side, with XML/SOAP being used for Flash-based interfaces. Additionally, I have integrated Flash with .NET and Java via Flash Remoting.

how i approach all this

My professional philosophy is one of simplicity and clarity. I prefer to be proactive instead of reactionary. I prefer transparency in my dealings with my clients and fellow developers. I′m quite the pedantic programmer, and as such I strive for organisation in my workflow, from priority-driven development to asset management to scope and time management.

Although this might seem that I prefer a rigid approach, I do not: I believe that approaching projects in an organised manner removes unnecessary clutter, which opens up more space and time for creative thinking.

why you′ve just read all of the above

I am always in the market for fresh opportunity. Should you wish to contact me, I am always available at

robert at lobstu dot co dot za

I look forward to hearing from you!