About Rob Swan
Hi, I'm Rob. Until recently I was a web developer. I built very complex database driven websites. I've written a few widely read articles about various aspects of the web. I'm a Zend Certified PHP5 Engineer (ZCE)...
... but now I'm (primarily) a website consultant and planner.
Essentially: I used to be a web builder, now I'm a web architect.
I've spent the last five years working full time in the web design industry, and in that time have worked for a vast number of clients and sucessfully launched an huge number of very succesful web sites.
Before I got involved in the web I gained a Philosophy degree from the University of Sussex, during which time I also worked as a video game functionality tester. Essentially I was paid to play computer games and to find and report any bugs that I found in them. Both philosophy and functionality testing helped me to develop my skills in writing specifications.
Writing technical specifications has been part of my job ever since I started working as a programmer, however projects have rarely been allocated the correct time and budget to allow for accurately committing specifications to paper, for maintaining them, and for explaining them to the client.
Every project for which I have ever been allowed to produce a proper technical specification has far exceeded the expectations of the client, the developers, and the users of the website.
My CV
If you want a few more details why not download my Curriculum Vitae (July 2010).
You can normally get a pretty good idea of what I'm up to right now from my twitter feed (you can follow me @robswan):
- 07th Sep 2010 16:49
@scubadivedave good luck! - 07th Sep 2010 06:03
Sunday's sermon used "the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do" - Apple got that one right! - 07th Sep 2010 03:52
@tomwittlin how about the fact that you know the doctor thinks that all those signs are both cool and modern? Can you trust a man like that? - 07th Sep 2010 02:05
@jackappleby I'd vote for LABEL tags and classes applied directly to the INPUT elements themselves (but I do use DIV's if I'm being lazy!). - 04th Sep 2010 19:38
Wow! What a launch party :) Thank you everyone who turned up or helped. You can now buy the album online! http://www.angehardy.com/buycd - 03rd Sep 2010 09:16
I'm happy not having a fancy mobile phone... but I kinda really want a Kindle! Would I actually read more if I had one? I feel like I would. - 03rd Sep 2010 05:07
If anyone wants to buy Ange's album as MP3 for £6.50 drop me a note and I'll send you the link - I'd like it tested before it goes large! - 03rd Sep 2010 03:45
@wiseguysonly I currently have a very compact working area. - 03rd Sep 2010 03:03
The #?!# cat just knocked my coffee over a) the programmes for Saturday b) my computer c) my sock draw d) the printer e) my stationary draw.