Kagan “Kai” MacTane

• Lead developer of the Topsy Retweet Button. Wrote Button for Web Sites in raw JavaScript code (no frameworks) to minimize code size. Wrote WordPress plugin in PHP.
• Did quality assurance testing of code prior to release. Set up test platforms to regression-test new releases against various WordPress versions and themes. Wrote Unix shell scripts to automate release process.
• Built back-end REST resources as needed to supply plugin data, using Catalyst framework and Template Toolkit.
• Communicated with users via WordPress forums, the company’s beta-test mailing list, and feedback/support mailing addresses. Helped resolve bugs and responded to feature requests.
• Main author of Topsy Retweet Button documentation, FAQ and support pages.
• Helped maintain the company’s WordPress blog, including static pages, jQuery features, and adjustments to the site theme and CSS.

Skills Used: PHP, JavaScript, AJAX, WordPress plugin development, DHTML, CSS, WordPress customization, JSON, REST, jQuery, technical writing/documentation, Catalyst, Template Toolkit, Git, Unix shell.

• Wrote back-end PHP code to support dynamic sites for various clients. Sites included: a multimedia artist’s portfolio; a dynamic, AJAX-based sweepstakes site for Scion automobiles; and a feature-rich, Drupal-based site for a multinational law firm.
• Coordinated with front-end JavaScript coder to support AJAX features. Designed PHP middleware code for high availability and concurrency.
• Set up database schema and tables, including data-retention decisions that allowed my client to provide detailed and useful metrics to their client.
• Created and tested shell scripts allowing a PHP CMS to trigger publication of a site from its preview server to a staging server, and from there to production servers.

Skills Used: PHP, Drupal, MySQL, database schema design, JavaScript, AJAX, JSON, SVN, Unix shell, rsync/scp.

• Built front-end and middleware code in Ruby on Rails, including automated tests using Test::Unit.
• Built automated testing feature for company’s in-house Rails-like PHP framework.
• Developed various site front ends (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) from Photoshop comps and other image files.
• Set up Subversion repositories for new projects as needed.
• Set up Drupal-based site for client, with custom theme replicating pre-existing Joomla site.
• Did extensive modifications of Ning network for a client, using custom CSS and JavaScript to expand and alter standard Ning functionality.
• Worked on multiple client sites, using various technology platforms. Learned new platforms and frameworks as needed.

Skills Used: Ruby, Ruby on Rails; PHP, Drupal, JavaScript, AJAX, Prototype, Scriptaculous, jQuery, JSON; DHTML, HTML, XHTML, CSS, cross-browser compatibility; Agile/Scrum methodologies, test-driven development; PHPUnit, SVN.

• Took part in design and development of highly interactive, AJAXified new product from its inception, advocating modern development practices and user-focused interface design.
• Participated in high-level product design meetings to set course of product development, determine priority and scheduling of different features, and discuss targets.
• Wrote automated unit and functional tests using Test::Unit and Rspec.
• Created custom, re-usable controls for currency fields, sortable tables. Adapted pre-existing JScalendar code for re-usable date picker control.
• Used JavaScript and Rails I18n packages to produce internationalized and easily localizable user interfaces.
• Reviewed other developers’ code for correctness, consistency, style, and quality.

Skills Used: Ruby, Ruby on Rails; JavaScript, AJAX, MooTools, JSON; DHTML, HTML, XHTML, CSS, cross-browser compatibility; object-oriented design/development, test-driven development, Test::Unit, Rspec; Agile/Scrum methodologies; internationalization in both Ruby and JavaScript; SVN, Redmine project management system.

• Developed and launched iCoins, a renewable subscription-based game discount system, a critical-path project for the company.
• Was instrumental in streamlining and enhancing many existing site features and pages, often through application of AJAX and other DHTML techniques.
• Implemented dynamic informational “word balloon”-style pop-ups that are still used on site front page and navigational pages.
• Designed and built a universal ad-display system that allowed easier maintenance of third-party ad placements on the site.
• Acted as advocate for usability, user concerns, and use of more flexible and forward-looking techniques in UI design.
• Supervised one remote contractor: selected projects for him, monitored his performance, and provided feedback and code reviews.
• Took initiative to learn Java-based back-end technologies, in order to make site architecture more flexible and agile by diminishing excess coupling of front- and back-end code. Also served as resource for others, sharing JavaScript and front-end knowledge.

Skills Used: JavaScript, DHTML, AJAX, Prototype and Scriptaculous libraries; HTML, XHTML, CSS, cross-browser compatibility; object-oriented design/development, Agile/Scrum methodologies; CVS, Bugzilla, Confluence and Twiki wiki systems; technical writing (project plans and documentation, software specifications); Java, JSP, JSTL, Struts, Tiles.

• Created front- and back-end solutions, interfacing with MySQL databases, for various client sites. Designed database tables, object classes and administrative code modules to support a variety of dynamic site functions.
• Solved real-world problems on client sites with AJAX techniques.
• Updated and streamlined company’s standard object interfaces and libraries.
• Designed and wrote code generator to automate creation of most-commonly-used back-end interface modules.
• Supervised engineering duties of one coder; allocated and delegated assignments, and made design/architectural decisions relating to his tasks.

Skills Used: PHP, object-oriented design/development; LAMP architecture, MySQL, SQL, database design, database-backed web site design; JavaScript, DHTML, AJAX; HTML, XHTML, CSS, cross-browser compatibility; technical writing (class interface specifications).

• Designed, coded and upgraded web sites for clients, including dynamic and database-backed sites.
• Wrote proposals, bids, specs, and invoices; did all client communications and interaction.
• Solved diverse client issues including: spyware removal; mail server anti-virus hardening; system administration; transfer of servers to new connection provider; network troubleshooting; Windows administration; and software upgrades and maintenance.

Skills Used: PHP, Perl, JavaScript, MySQL, SQL, database design, database-backed web site design, HTML, XHTML, CSS, LAMP architecture, DHTML, CGI scripting, cross-browser compatibility, object-oriented design/development; Linux Web/mail server administration, Windows troubleshooting, networking (wireless and Ethernet); technical writing including proposals and specifications; tutoring.

• System administrator for Linux servers running high-availability, database-backed community web site serving 750,000 to 10 million visitors per month.
• Site membership increased over tenfold during my tenure with the company.
• Provided IT support for company’s Windows workstations.

Skills Used: Linux and Windows system administration, networking, troubleshooting, Perl, user support.