About banzaimonkey.net
Statement of Purpose
banzaimonkey.net focuses on the development of websites, information delivery systems, and related software, as part of my over-arching goal of making useful information freely and easily accessible. My design philosophy places a heavy emphasis on the user's experience; I believe that it is essential for information tools to be easy to use. I am less concerned with marketing and profiteering than I am with ensuring that my sites succeed in their primary goal: delivering information.
Design Philosophy
My design style is one that is clean, sharp, and minimalist. The emphasis of any site should be on its content, and a design should compliment the content and facilitate access to it. I like to think of websites as one might think of any other consumer product; something that the user will appreciate for its thoughtful and graceful design, but will buy for its functionality.
Seasoned Experience
banzaimonkey.net has handled various web development and administration scenarios, from updating software to migrating and restoring databases. I've always taken care to ensure a seamless user experience, testing changes ahead of time and responding quickly to problems that arise during the transition process. I am comfortable and confident in my environment, wary of potential problems, and prepared to respond to obstacles proactively or avoid them entirely if possible.
Engineered for Success
I use and advocate standards-compliant code, as it is easier to maintain and is compatible with more software and devices. I frown on use of proprietary code and other forms of content exclusion, as this is contrary to my goal of making information freely and easily accessible. This directly benefits my websites, as they are viewable on just about any platform—Windows, Mac, Linux, and even mobile devices. Additionally, my code is easier and less costly to maintain.
Open Source Advocacy
I have several years of experience in open source web development using AMP systems and various mainstream software packages such as phpBB and MediaWiki. At banzaimonkey.net, I make a point of using and supporting open source software whenever possible, whether it's for server-side software, graphics production, or software development. I find that using open source software not only reduces the initial costs of project development, but also affords me significant advantages when modifying and customizing software to meet the needs of specific projects.