Résumé
Jeff Howden — Web Development Professional
- Web
- http://jeffhowden.com/
- resume@jeffhowden.com
- Phone
- (503) 734-8181
Objective
A full-time position as a technical architect, senior web application developer, or mentor where I can make a positive impact on clients, co-workers, and the Internet using my skills and experience to design compelling, attractive user interfaces and develop efficient, feature-rich data-driven solutions.
- Ideal positions
- Technical Architect
- Senior Web Application Developer
- New Product/Technology Development
Summary of Skills
- Experienced web application developer
- Ranked among the top 0.5% of ColdFusion, Javascript, and HTML experts in the world by Brainbench, Inc.
- Technical editor for books on software development by, New Rider Publishing, a major publishing house.
- Mentor and guide to the web development community.
- All-round experience of the software development process, from client interaction to project management.
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Experience
- Partner
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September 2005 to Present — Vos & Howden, LLC
Currently a business partner in a small company totalling 4 individuals. My duties include, but are not limited to the following:
- Consulting
- Sales
- Client Relations
- Needs Analysis
- Project Scoping
- Database Design & Architecture
- Application Design & Architecture
- Managing Junior Engineers
The skills I use on a daily basis include the following:
- Project Analysis
- ColdFusion
- SQL
- XHTML/HTML/XML
- CSS
- AJAX/DHTML (with emphasis on ExtJS)
- JavaScript
- Webservices
- Relational Database Design
- Information Architecture
- Interface Design
- Sr. Web Application Engineer
-
April 2000 to October 2006 — AlphaShop Network Services
Currently employed by AlphaShop Network Services. My duties include, but are not limited to the following:
- Consulting
- Sales
- Client Relations
- Needs Analysis
- Project Scoping
- Database Design & Architecture
- Application Design & Architecture
- Managing Junior Engineers
The skills I use on a daily basis include the following:
- Project Analysis
- HTML
- CSS
- DHTML
- JavaScript
- ColdFusion
- SQL
- Relational Database Design
- Information Architecture
- Interface Design
- Technical Editor
-
February 2002 - June 2002 - New Rider Publishing
Contracted by New Riders Publishing to be a technical editor for a critical publication in their line of ColdFusion MX books — Inside ColdFusion MX. In the 5 month period I worked on the book, I tech edited 24 of the final 28 chapters. My managing editor was so pleased with the quality of my work and my exceptional knowledge of ColdFusion that he asked me to contribute my own work to one of the chapters.
- Certification Validator/Cleaner
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August 2002 - Brainbench, Inc.
Contracted by Brainbench, Inc. to clean the bank of questions developed for their JavaScript 1.5 certification -- over 150 questions each needing careful examination of wording for clarity and intent, assessment of correct assignment of difficulty level, ensuring there was exactly one correct choice per question, and much more.
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April 2003 - Brainbench, Inc.
Contracted by Brainbench, Inc. to validate a bank of over 80 questions developed for their HTML 4.0 certification. I was asked to ensure the correctness of the code samples, as appropriate, clear wording of the question, and evaluation of difficulty levels.
- Independent Professional
-
December 1996 to April 2000
Previously self-employed as a web developer which included consulting, sales, client relations, needs analysis, original graphic design, site layout, navigation concerns, information architecture, database design, usability testing, cross-browser/platform uniformity, project management, and design of off-site promotional material such as business cards, flyers, brochures, and small to medium-sized publications.
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Skills
- HTML/XHTML (2.0, 3.2, 4.0, 4.01) — late '96 to present
-
My web development skills have a solid foundation in HTML, the basic language of the web. I understand its inconsistencies across the wide range of browser and platform combinations, and how to overcome those inconsistencies. I keep up with the evolving standards of HTML and code to those standards as a rule, stepping outside them only when strictly necessary.
- ColdFusion (3.0, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, MX, 7) — early '99 to present
-
I have a thorough understanding of the ColdFusion server. I have helped implement a development methodology based in part on the Fusebox Methodology. I have been instrumental in establishing coding standards in the workplace. I can analyze code for inefficiencies and make suggestions for optimization.
I was selected by New Riders Publishing to act as Technical Editor for an upcoming ColdFusion MX book — Inside ColdFusion MX — published August, 2002. The managing editor was so pleased with my work that I was requested to submit material for one of the chapters.
I have been invited to participate in numerous ColdFusion beta programs (versions 5, MX, 7, and 8).
- Database (Microsoft SQL Server 2000, Microsoft Access 97 & 2000, Sybase Adaptive Server Anywhere 5 & 6, Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise 12, Oracle 8i) — late 99 to present
-
I have a solid understanding of scalable database design, relational integrity, triggers, stored procedures, views, indexes, and mass import of data.
- JavaScript — practically since it was officially released in '96 to present
-
I have a solid understanding of JavaScript. I am considered an expert by many of my peers. I have helped others implement scripts, written many scripts used by others, and even taught others the nuances of the language.
I'm currently a volunteer member of the support team for the up-and-coming ExtJS framework.
- Cascading Stylesheets (CSS1, CSS2) — late '99 to present
-
In addition to knowing how to use CSS to reduce page sizes and increase the maintainability of a site, I can also use CSS to develop browser-based applications that look and behave like software. At the same time, I understand the limitations of CSS implementations in today's web browsers, how to avoid potential implementation pitfalls, and the inconsistencies of CSS support across browser and platform combinations.
- DHTML — early '00 to present
-
I am familiar with and understand the limitations of each of the 3 major Document Object Models (DOM) implemented by Netscape Navigator 4, Internet Explorer 4+, and Netscape 6. I'm very well-versed in the DOM implemented in Internet Explorer 5+. I have developed a large number of custom applications that behave like desktop applications in their design, usability, and functionality thereby increasing the efficiency for the end user to perform the tasks the application was designed to perform.
- Mentoring — '97 to present
-
I'm a regular mentor to other developers, answering their questions and asking tougher questions that get them to think about their problem from another angle. Read some of my posts to thelist at evolt.org, a web development discussion list that's part of the community I helped establish and participate in regularly.
Here's a collection of some of my posts about ColdFusion and/or JavaScript (found under variations on the correct spelling as well as common abbreviations):
- Web Browsers (Internet Explorer v3-v6.0, Netscape Navigator v2-v6, Mozilla, Opera v3-v5, WebTV v1-v2)
-
A good web developer must have a large stable of web browsers handy. I prefer to keep a plethora of browser and platform combinations handy to aid in the development and testing of projects.
- Graphics (Adobe Photoshop 3-7, Macromedia Fireworks 2-4 & MX, Macromedia Flash 3 & 4, Macromedia Generator 2) — late '96 to present
-
My strengths include the assembly of HTML from a design delivered by a professional designer, optimizing graphics for the web, creating application specific iconography and animation. I have a basic understanding of Macromedia Flash and it's connection with Macromedia Generator to create dynamic images or to manipulate images.
- Windows (95, 98, NT 4.0, and 2000) — mid 90's to present
-
For the past year and a half I have used Windows 2000 Professional & Windows 2000 Advanced Server. I can set up DNS, create websites in IIS, create datasources, and perform other basic web server maintenance.
I currrently manage my own server that hosts a number of websites including this one and evolt.org.
- Macintosh (Apple IIe, OS6-8.5, OSX) — early 90's to present
-
I have used various Macintosh OSes off and on.
- Unix (Linux, FreeBSD) — late '99 to present
-
I have used various Unix-based OSes off and on.
- Office Software (Word 97 & 2000, Access 97 & 2000, Excel 2000, Publisher 97, 98 & 2000) — '97 to present
-
Like any experienced computer user, I have used a number of common office applications to accomplish daily tasks.
- Miscellaneous
-
I have a strong sense of what makes a design usable. I promote accessibility wherever possible. I know how to take advantage of newer browser features without shutting out browsers without those capabilities (where appropriate).
I've written a couple of articles for evolt.org regarding the responsible use of JavaScript with links and forms both of which are in the top 5 highest rated articles on the site out of nearly 1,000 published articles.
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Certification
|
Master ColdFusion MX ProgrammerI received a score of 4.77 out of a possible 5.00. This gives me a current ranking of 2 out of 639 tests completed, placing me in the top 5 in the world and ranked 1st in the entire United States. The word from Brainbench is: Demonstrates understanding of most advanced concepts within the subject area. Appears capable of mentoring others on the most complex projects. |
|
Master ColdFusion 5.0 ProgrammerI received a score of 4.87 out of a possible 5.00. This gives me a current ranking of 7 out of 1780 tests completed, placing me in the top one and a half percent in the world. Additionally, I'm currently ranked 6th in the entire world (3rd highest score actually) and 1st in Oregon. The word from Brainbench is: Demonstrates understanding of most advanced concepts within the subject area. Appears capable of mentoring others on the most complex projects. |
|
Master ColdFusion 4.5 ProgrammerTwice I've received a score of 4.66 out of a possible 5.00. This gives me a current ranking of 184 out of 10704 tests completed, placing me in the top one and a half percent in the world. Additionally, if my test scores were still public, I'd be currently ranked 4th in the world (3rd highest score actually). The word from Brainbench is: Demonstrates understanding of most advanced concepts within the subject area. Appears capable of mentoring others on the most complex projects. |
|
Master Javascript ProgrammerTwice I've received a score of 4.53 out of a possible 5.00. This gives me a current ranking of 545 out of 104204 tests completed, placing me in the top one half of one percent in the world. Additionally, if my test scores were still public, I'd be currently ranked 26th in the entire United States (tied for the 11th highest score actually). The word from Brainbench is: Demonstrates understanding of most advanced concepts within the subject area. Appears capable of mentoring others on the most complex projects. |
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Master HTML 4.0 ProgrammerI received a score of 4.82 out of a possible 5.00. This gives me a current ranking of 47 out of 169401 tests completed, placing me in the top two tenths of one percent in the world. I'm currently ranked 20th in the entire world (tied for the 3rd highest score actually), ranked 7th in the entire United States (tied for the highest score actually), and 1st in Oregon. The word from Brainbench is: Demonstrates understanding of most advanced concepts within the subject area. Appears capable of mentoring others on the most complex projects. |
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Master HTML 3.2 ProgrammerI received a score of 4.61 out of a possible 5.00. This gives me a current ranking of 245 out of 92352 tests completed, placing me in the top one half of one percent in the world. I'm currently 2nd in Oregon. The word from Brainbench is: Demonstrates understanding of most advanced concepts within the subject area. Appears capable of mentoring others on the most complex projects. |
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Typing Speed & Accuracy
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You may view all the details at Brainbench.com.
* Note: Brainbench will not display on transcripts any test scores that are more than 3 years old.
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References
Commendations from people that know me and/or I've done work for are available upon request.
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Portfolio
I'm more than happy to sit down with any interested party and give a guided tour of an assortment of projects I've worked on while discussing the problems I was looking to solve and the solutions developed.