Liz Warner Web Programmer, Consultant, and Author San Francisco, CA resume@lizwarner.com (415) 859-0230 Summary I am a software engineer, author, and consultant. I have been creating web and internet-related applications professionally since 1995. Skills General Tech:   Strong OOP, application architecture, design patterns. Experience with load balancing, server configuration, database optimization, security, log analysis, and ecommerce. Extensive full-lifecycle experience: concept to launch to maintenance and beyond. Specific Tech:   PHP (including object-oriented PHP and PHP 5), Zend Framework (including 1.0 and 1.5 preview), Smarty, Drupal, Perl (including mod_perl and HTML::Mason), DBI, Apache, MySQL, PostgreSQL, XML, WML, SOAP, Web Services, Content Management, Unix Admin (including Bind and Sendmail). Java: Servlets, J2EE, JDBC, Jakarta Struts, EJB, JSP, Taglibs. And, of course, HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. I'm madly in love with Ruby on Rails, but haven't used it professionally yet. Human:   Can communicate technical concepts in non-technical ways. Able to manage and collaborate with other programmers effectively. Self-motivated, good with deadlines. What I do most these days: On a typical freelance job, I'm the one developing the application architecture and leading other coders. I often function as CTO-equivalent for small startups who can't yet afford to fill that position full-time. For the past few years, I've done most of my hands-on work in PHP (object-oriented PHP when possible) and a bunch of it with Drupal and Zend Framework. I still work with Java, and Perl, though. Often to port some code, or fix bugs and add features to an existing app. I write database code for websites, mainly with MySQL and PostgreSQL. Technical writing and editing for a variety of markets. Unix admin: I can and do handle admin tasks on Linux, FreeBSD and OS X Server boxes. HR consulting: I do interviews and code reviews for clients who need to hire technical people. I also help my clients evaluate technologies, define requirements, and come up with solid and appropriate technical plans. Recent Projects Include: Lead Developer: ClubCollective.com (launched Summer 2007) Club Collective is a directory of nightclubs and events across Europe. This site is launching in Spring 2007 with listings in three cities and three languages, with dozens of cities and languages to come. As tech lead, I was responsible for creating custom Drupal modules, training designers on Drupal theming, working with developers and content managers in Europe, and managing everything from internationalization to creating & customizing the site's many user-centric features — from photo/video content to blogging and social networking. Tech: PHP, Drupal, MySQL Lead Developer: wapTAGS.com for mPulse Media (2005-2007, ongoing) I've developed several applications for mPulse Media, including a group text-messaging app, a mobile RSS manager, and a collaborative mobile tagging site. This job lets me use my skills in rapid prototyping and agile coding in a fast-paced environment where there's always something new in the pipeline. At various times, my projects have included team members from India, Poland, Hawaii, and Chicago. Tech: PHP, PostgreSQL, and some Perl. Apple Computers - Lead and Team Developer (2003-2005) The company I co-founded, The Madfish Group, developed a series of applications for the Corporate Events department at Apple. We've developed applications using PHP and PostgreSQL that help streamline communication and planning for corporate events. A few features include data sharing over XML, workflow management, and user- and group-based views on event data. I have alternated as lead programmer with one of my Madfish Group partners, depending on the particular deliverable and the other jobs we had underway at the time. Arianna Huffington for CA Governor - Technical Lead (September 2003) Although Arianna Huffington has since dropped out of the gubernatorial race, my company, The Madfish Group, was hired to write (and did write) an event creation/management tool for her campaign website. Although the site is already being re-purposed, I'm looking forward to the event-management code being re-used on similar sites in the future. I was the sole PHP/MySQL coder on this project, working with one of our talented HTML freelancers, Polina Grinbaum. Features included: User account management, proximity-based searching, personal event lists, various email functions, staff view/search/review functions, and realtime integration with third-party opt-in email system. GiftBasketsAndWine.com - Solo/Lead Developer (launched September 2002) Gift Baskets and Wine wanted an updated site design, the ability to manage all images and nearly all text via admin screens, and a sophisticated shopping cart. The Madfish Group hired a designer to create a look-and-feel that pleased the client, and implemented the site's features using PHP and MySQL. I was the sole programmer on this project. Idiom.net - Technical Lead (launched July 2002, maintenance ongoing) The Madfish Group developed a complete system for Idiom.net, a Covad DSL reseller. The site was developed using HTML::Mason on FreeBSD, using PostgreSQL as the database back-end. The system allows Idiom staff and customers to manage their end users' DSL circuits by communicating with Covad's servers via XML over HTTPS. Other features include trouble ticket management, an access management system, and a fully featured billing and payment system. I acted as Lead Developer on this project. HR Consulting & Code Reviews: The Realm (2001) The Realm needed a team of skilled Java programmers for a major project on a tight deadline. I conducted resume reviews, phone interviews, and code reviews in order to help my client assemble a great team in good time. designobject.com - Advice and Troubleshooting (2001-2003) I helped this client evaluate and debug a complex, brittle, CGI-based system created by inexperienced outside programmers. This meant reading, understanding, and repairing dozens of scripts (containing thousands of lines of code) in a very short period of time. I also set up web and database servers, installed ecommerce tools, etc. Later, worked in real time to further optimize the system after the site launched and was unexpectedly (but happily) overwhelmed with traffic. Modified Perl scripts, server configuration, and OS parameters to keep the site up and running smoothly. mastercard.visitnaj.com - Lead Programmer (launched 1/01, features added throughout the year) This is an updated version of the North American Journeys site I worked on last year (see below). The new site was written to be co-branded with the MasterCard Travel web site. I wrote all the back-end code using HTML::Mason (server-side Perl), including session management, file uploading, and several different searches. Also worked closely with front-end coders on some pretty fancy database-driven DHTML. As usual, I advised my client on technical strategies, set up web and database servers, and implemented failover plans. emindhealth.com - Lead Programmer (launched 8/00) Responsibilities included writing much of the back-end code including session management, ecommerce, and search functionality. Also advised client on technical strategies, set up web and database servers, and implemented a failover plan for high-traffic periods. Two Perl/MySQL developers and two HTML coders launched this feature-rich directory site in under two months - on time for an important industry conference, and on budget. bTask (now InstantWork) - Lead Programmer (launched 6/00) Responsible for all technical aspects of a complex job directory site incorporating search, chat, and instant messaging. Involved in every phase of development from Requirements-Gathering to Launch. Set up web, database, and chat servers, wrote the back-end code in Perl using HTML::Mason, and managed other programmers who were creating the front end and the instant messaging (IM) engine. Developed instant messaging prototype for client, which served as a proof-of-concept for investors. Helped client hire more programmers to implement IM system. Helped hire successors once the site was launched so the client could continue development on the East Coast. (I completed this project in San Francisco for a client in Virginia. We met in person exactly once. The team worked via email, IM, and telephone from both coasts.) North American Journeys - Lead Back-End Programmer (launched 2/00) Wrote Perl/CGI scripts to power this database-driven directory site. (The original site has since been expanded and ported to Mason - see above.) bSource (now Niku) - Lead Programmer (launched in stages during late 1999) Wrote new code and adapted legacy code to power this search-intensive database-driven site. Helped client evaluate technologies. Worked closely with HTML coders to create a templating system which allowed this site to be multiply co-branded with minimal effort. Designed complex weighted-match query system, with an interface to allow the client to change category weights at will. Created system to synchronize web server data (MySQL) with legacy back-office database (FileMaker). Careguide - Lead Back-End Programmer (launched Spring 1999) Ported legacy CGI system to mod_perl, while maintaining backwards compatibility with the client's proprietary scripting language. Upgraded huge flat-file-based semi-static site to a more flexible database-driven system. Designed & optimized weighted-match searching on massive tables. Developed session management, state-based navigation, and cobranding systems. Trained client's employees so they could continue development in house. Some Older Projects Include: Created internationalization intranet site for Sun Microsystems. Released code (desktop proxy server, written in Java) on CD published with The Net magazine. Wrote caching proxy server for Windows using C++/MFC for Seven Raven. Assisted with teaching Advanced Internet class at City College of San Francisco. Other Projects Technical Writing: Apple Computers, Wiley, Hungry Minds, Trans-City (2001-2007, ongoing) During the past few years, I've written seven articles for Apple Computers' Internet Developer Site. Subjects include Tomcat on OS X, J2EE with JBoss, Source Control with CVS, parsing iCalendar files, PostgreSQL, and Jakarta Struts. In 2001 I contributed chapters to the book MySQL Weekend Crash Course, published by Hungry Minds. My chapters cover MySQL with Perl. In 2003, I was the technical editor for the second edition of MySQL/PHP Database Applications, published by Wiley. I also contributed some text and code along the way. This new edition was one of the first published references on PHP 5 — including PHP's new object model and the many changes that came with the release of Zend Engine 2 Education B.S. Cognitive Science (focus on Human-Computer Interaction) U.C. Berkeley. References Client references available on request. Misc. Brainbench certifications available on request. I'm certified in Perl (one of the top 10 scores in California, they said), Java, Web Development Concepts (one of the top 10 scores worldwide), HTML, Unix Programming, and Linux Admin. my special email address