November 15, 2010 · Moving to Cologne I have accepted a job as a Rails developer at simfy, the largest German music streaming service. Consequently, any changes to 5things have been pushed back indefinitely.
September 25, 2010 · Migrated to a Linode Rather big news here as I have migrated a few of my websites, including 5things, to a Linode box running on Ubuntu. The production stack has been upgraded to a blazingly-fast nginx/Passenger setup.
August 15, 2010 · Back at it I have returned to Germany after traveling throughout the United States for a total of 77 days this summer. I am now accepting new project and work offers.
April 02, 2010 · Coming soon! After releasing 5things, I am currently working on another small web application called: Stash, which is scheduled for rollout later this summer.
March 22, 2010 · New web app launched! Presenting 5things, a flexible task and to-do list manager created to simplify your daily planning and increase your productivity.
January 15, 2010 · Company incorporated [zen punch creative] is my web development studio under which I will work on a variety of projects. Read more about current projects on the [zpc] website, which is currently a work in progress.

  More About Me

I am a web developer with a passion for usable and standards-compliant user interfaces and stable database-driven web applications implementing the latest web technologies and trends.

The past few years, I have specialized in Ruby on Rails in an agile and test-driven development environment heavily using common open-source projects and libraries.

I have gained experience in a variety of areas and thrive to learn more every day. On this page you can view some of my current interests.

My computer of choice is a Mac. I live for music and love traveling. I have a cat named Lucy.

  • Ruby on Rails

    agile and test-driven web development with the Rails framework

    Ruby on Rails RoR is currently my framework of choice for developing web applications.
     
    Ruby is a dynamic, open source programming language with a focus on simplicity and productivity.
     
    Ruby on Rails is an open-source web framework that's optimized for programmer happiness and sustainable productivity. It lets you write beautiful code by favoring convention over configuration. close close

  • Rabobank

    (X)HTML and CSS

    exploring the newest standards such as HTML5, CSS3, and Microformats

    (X)HTML and CSS I have more than 10 years of experience developing standards-compliant websites keeping track of the latest techniques and principles.
     
    This website is fully HTML5 compliant (without using any of the advanced features yet) and implements some new CSS3 features such as shadows and rounded corners. These features are not supported by browsers such as the Internet Explorer. I recommend Firefox instead. close close

  • AJAX and jQuery

    using the jQuery JavaScript library to enhance the user experience

    AJAX and jQuery This website builds heavily on the jQuery library.
     
    AJAX is a group of interrelated web development techniques used on the client-side to create interactive web applications or rich Internet applications.
     
    jQuery is a fast and concise JavaScript library that simplifies HTML document traversing, event handling, animating, and Ajax interactions for rapid web development. close close

  • Databases

    database design and programming, including MySQL, Oracle, and MS SQL

    Databases I have experience in a variety of different database systems, including SQL Server, mySQL, Oracle, Access.
     
    This website uses mySQL with an InnoDB storage engine. My interests include database optimization and scalability. close close

  • Web Technologies

    .NET, ASP, PHP, XML, APIs, Web Services, SEO and optimization

    Web Technologies Over the years, I had the opportunity to work with a number of different web technologies and platforms. I am in particular interested in web application development issues and technologies. close close

  • Server Administration

    Debian/Ubuntu running nginx and/or Apache web servers

    Server Administration I have experience in setting up, securing, and maintaining Linux-based development and production servers. Currently, I am especially interested in using nginx, an open-source, high-performance HTTP server.
     
    Points of particular interest include web security, performance optimization, scaling, and reliability/availability of web applications. close close

  • Usability & Web Standards

    creating usable, intuitive, and standards-compliant web interfaces

    Usability & Web Standards Web Standards are technologies for creating and interpreting web-based content, These are carefully designed to deliver the greatest benefits to the greatest number of web users while ensuring the long-term viability of any document published on the Web.
     
    Usability refers to the elegance and clarity with which the interaction with a computer program or a web site is designed. close close

  • Scrum / Project Management

    managing the full life-cycle of complex application development

    Project Management I have been exposed to the full development life-cycle of multiple web applications and projects of various sizes, including the intranet infrastructure of a globally-operating company, as well as SaaS projects.
     
    I have years of experience in estimates/scoping, product delivery, and client interaction, working in fast-paced environments with tight deadlines. close close

  • Typography & Design

    exploring layouts, grids, white space, and typography

    Typography & Design Interests and experience includes text replacement strategies, grid layouts, intuitive and user-friendly design & layouts, as well as current and upcoming trends in modern web and print design. close close

  • Data Mining

    studying trends in textual data mining and information retrieval

    Data Mining Data Mining is the area of Computer Science that deals with the extraction of information from a large set of data.
     
    I have spent several years with research of information retrieval techniques and topics, such as Emerging Trend Detection (ETD) and First Story Detection (FSD). close close

  • My Open Source Code

    GitHub profile containing several open source projects

    My Open Source Code The source code of several of my personal web projects are available for everyone to see on my GitHub profile, including the entire source of 5things. close close

  • My Papers

    research on Emerging Trend Detection and First-Story Detection

    My Research Papers (1/2) Here are a few of my research papers in case you are interested.
     
    Indro De. (2005) Experiments in Emerging Trend Detection and First Story Detection. Honors Paper.
     
    Indro De (April Kontostathis, Faculty Advisor). (2005) Experiments in First Story Detection. Proceedings of The National Conference On Undergraduate Research (NCUR) 2005.close close | read more...

    My Research Papers (2/2)Kontostathis, April, Indro De, Lars E. Holzman and William M. Pottenger. (2004). Use of Term Clusters for Emerging Trend Detection. Technical Report.close close

  My Networks

This is a list of most of the social networks and web applications I use. Feel free to get in touch with me through one of these services.

If you click on one of the items on the right you will leave my homepage and will be taken to the relevant website.

  Contact Me

Please feel free to contact me with inquiries, suggestions, or just to say hello.
 
My preferred method for initial contact is by email or using the contact form link on the right.

Google+

  • my vCard
    I recommend RedLaser to scan this code.

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