Rob Curry

Hi...

My name is Rob Curry and I am a PHP Web Developer based in Newcastle upon Tyne, in the North East of England.

I was born on the 29th June 1980, in the town of Hartlepool, but was raised in a small mining village called Horden - where many of my family still live.

Family is very important to me, and growing up I was given strong moral values by my parents and grand parents. These morals, I believe, are some of the driving forces in my life and career and push me to be the best I can be, not to be afraid of hard work (computers, hard.... yeah yeah!) and be dedicated to the job I am doing.

I have been developing websites, as a hobby, since 1996 and professionally since 2003. Whilst at University, I got my first introduction to ASP (Active Server Pages) and later, began developing with the open-source language PHP. I soon found that PHP was much more powerful, and began working with it exclusively.

For the past 11 years, I have practised Capoeira - a brazilian art form which combines elements of Martial Arts, Dance, Music and Acrobatics, and through Capoeira I have had the opportunity to travel to Brazil and North America.

My Approach

I specialise mainly in the development of bespoke internet solutions in areas such as eCommerce and Recruitment.

I like to be challenged when I build a website! I like to not only improve the skills I have but also to learn new skills and push my limits and the limits of the technology.

I have always had a natural aptitude for programming and not having a great skill in design I chose to specialise in what I know, and can do well... development. Anyone can draw a pretty picture, but taking that picture and transforming it into a "living, breathing" website is where I get my enjoyment.

Job satisfaction is very important to me, and I believe that I build websites to the highest standard, and get enjoyment out of knowing that a project has been completed to the best of my ability, and meets the highest levels of compliance and accessibility.

I was always brought up with the belief that "if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing properly".

Experience / Skills

Through my time using computers I have gained experience / skills in a number of areas, these include, but are not limited to:

• Web Development
  • PHP
  • ASP
  • HTML and XHTML
  • CSS
  • JavaScript
    • including JQuery
  • XML / RSS
• Database Design
  • MySQL
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft SQL Server
• Programming Languages
  • C
  • C++
  • Java
  • Visual Basic
  • Real Basic
• Frameworks
  • Smarty Template Engine
  • Social Engine (Social Networking Platform)
  • Word Press
  • Adobe AIR
  • VBulletin Forum
  • phpMyAdmin
• Web Hosting
  • WHM
  • CPanel
  • Plesk
• Operating Systems
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Apple Mac OS X
  • Unix / Linux (limited)

Other Skills / Knowledge

I have had experience with developing websites that are accessible to all, regardless of operating system and Internet browser. I always try to ensure that websites are W3C Standards Compliant. I also have experience in developing websites using both Table and CSS based layout approaches.

I have a good understanding of the Windows and Macintosh (OS X) Operating Systems and basic knowledge of the Unix and Linux systems. I also have some experience working with dedicated hosting servers using the CPanel and Web Host Manager (WHM) software.

Qualifications

• 1998 to 2002 - University of Sunderland
  • Second Class (First Division) BSc (Hons) Computing

• 1996 to 1998 - East Durham & Houghall Community College
  • Advanced GNVQ - Information Technology - Distinction
  • GCSE Mathematics - C

• 1991 to 1996 - Easington Comprehensive School
  • English Literature - B
  • English Language - C
  • Dual Award Science - C, C
  • Design & Technology - C

I am also a PADI certified Open Water Diver (gained in 2003, Gozo, Malta) :o)

Work History

September 2008 - Present	Indigo Multimedia, Newcastle upon Tyne
	Role: PHP Web Developer
	After working with Indigo Multimedia for almost a year as a freelancer but on an almost fulltime basis I decided to become a fully-fledged member of the company. My main roles are that of a web developer, specialising in PHP development. Through working with Indigo I have been involved with a number of blue-chip companies such as Shell, and both public/private companies such as the NHS, Connexions and Prospects developing both online and offline systems. Some of the projects I have worked on include: Youthoria.org – a portal ran by Cambridgeshire County Council for youngsters giving them information on what’s going on around them, help and support, blogs, jobs and much more. Get Out There – a website following the government initiative, Positive Activities, aimed at getting young people to take part in organised activities in their region. http://www.getoutthere.info Shell LiveWIRE – A shell sponsored initiative aimed at young Entrepreneurs which has been running for 25 years. http://www.shell-livewire.org - including a very recent middle east and Saudi Arabia portal in both English and Arabic. Sports Universities North East England (SUNEE) – A collaborative sports website between the 5 Universities in the North East of England. Steps – An online, interactive learning course aimed at 7-11 years olds. A conversion from a paper based system. Diversity in the Workplace – an online interactive project aimed at teaching Equality and Diversity skills and knowledge to both students and the workplace. Whilst primarily developing in PHP I have also had the opportunity to develop skills in other up and coming technologies such as: JQuery – a comprehensive JavaScript framework Adobe AIR – allowing web based applications to be run locally on the users desktop

Jun 2005 to Sept 2008

Self-Employed, Freelance Internet Developer

Working as a freelance web developer I have had the opportunity to work with a number of clients in order to provide them with the website tools they require. Through working with Studio North I have developed a basic file-based content management system, which has been deployed on at least 5 websites to date. I have also developed a Registration Plate Generator system, which has been deployed on three client sites, as well as the development of a basic eCommerce system, which is in use on a number of sites. Since going freelance I have worked for a number of companies. These include: Studio North (Manchester) BJL (Manchester) Indigo Multimedia (Newcastle upon Tyne) The Design Quarter (Alnwick, Northumberland) Infotech 24 7 Limited (Hartlepool) As well as a number of smaller companies and private clients. I have also had the opportunity to work with a leading Cancer Charity organisation, VersusCancer.org to build their website and blog system – working with BJL in Manchester.

April 2003 to Jun 2005	Infotech 24 7 Limited, Hartlepool
	Role: Senior Internet Developer
	My main role was that of a PHP developer. I worked on a number of in-house projects such as JobSearch, a Recruitment solution as well as working on their eCommerce solution - eKeeper 24 7. During my time at Infotech 24 7 I also built numerous websites for their many clients - including celebrities such as Heather Mills McCartney and Ringo Starr.

Aug 2000 to Aug 2001	Dumfries & Galloway Council, South-West Scotland
	Role: Internet Developer
	A one-year industrial work placement as part of my degree programme. Working for Dumfries & Galloway Council, in the South West of Scotland, I spent my placement as a member of the Information Services department. The majority of my work involved maintaining the council's Internet and Intranet websites as well as developing web-based applications using a mixture of HTML, ASP and Access/SQL Server database.