Working With Rails

I’m a math major at Reed and I’m focusing on theoretical CS, but all the languages, frameworks, technologies I’ve ever learned where on my own. Taking this route has given me the ability to work hard and teach myself almost anything. I work hard, and I stare at things until I understand them. I started developing desktop applications using Cocoa/Objective-C about 5 years ago, and I have since released a number of free/open source applications for the Mac community. As a Mac developer, I have a constant eye towards user interface and experience, and I understand that these factors alone can make or break a program. I’m contagiously passionate about good ideas done right. I started doing web development at least 8 years back, and have worked on several project using MySQL, XML, Java, Webobjects, and PHP. In early 2006 I started using Ruby on Rails, and I quickly used these skills to rapidly develop a social-networking site, the Greatsit. I picked up AJAX on the fly to do the a tightly-integrated, database-driven Google maps implementation – dynamic point creation and point dragging, and point fetching/display based on viewer bounds. I also worked for another Portland-based company as a contractor on a Ruby on Rails social-networking site. I do not consider myself a standard order geek. I think some of my strongest skills falls somewhat outside this realm. As a math major at Reed, I have honed my critical thinking skills and tools for expressing ideas (and done well – I currently maintain a 3.8 GPA and have achieved academic commendations for every term thus far). I have studied social change and travelled all over the world, and I believe strongly that technology can make a positive impact when guided by insight and compassion. In my spare time I also enjoy cooking, music making, photography, beer making, and exploring the beautiful northwest forests.