Bit Byte Bit
Mike Stephens –
Web developer based in Manchester
Web designer/developer conferences 2011
So 2011 is in full swing and we have already seen some awesome conferences and events surrounding the design/dev community, including New Adventures, SASCon and FutureEverything. I like to think I keep up-to-date with developer topics and events but sometimes, more than likely the day when I didn’t open Twitter, I miss notifications about conferences [...]
A bit about me…
I'm Mike and I'm not your ordinary web developer. I like to think of myself as a “digital creative”. I'm a bit obsessed with clean, standard compliant, pixel perfect, commented code (oh and a super-clean, clutter-free desk). I'm no code monkey, I love to get involved in all aspects surrounding the project, using my years of experience and knowledge to suggest ideas and working with other creatives to develop beautiful and smart pieces of work.
I'm really good at what I do - that is web applications/sites - PHP (including CakePHP, Code Igniter, Expression Engine and Word Press), MySQL, HTML(5), CSS(3) and JavaScript (including jQuery, Prototype and Mootools). I also know a thing or two about system administration, network deployment & configuration, cloud computing and SEO.
Originally from Runcorn, Cheshire (Yes, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps), I'm now based in 53.466667,-2.233333 Manchester working for the awesome, award-winning Raw Design in sunny Salford. I have over 7 years worth of industry experience in web development. I started playing with HTML around the age of 8, PHP around the age of 10 and freelanced at the age of 16 and continued to do so throughout Sixth Form and University.
If you think we could work together and want to grab some coffee to talk about web stuff, just drop me a line.
Face tracking with Arduino, OpenCV & Processing
Ok so by day i'm a web developer but recently i've been playing around…
Content Management System
Raw Design commissioned a new bespoke content management system to be created for their clients after the old CMS became outdated. The new CMS is based on CakePHP and utilises a “modular” approach. All CMS functionality is encapsulated into plugins that can then be used from project-to-project.
The CMS was designed and built in-house with myself taking lead development. Features include page manipulation, social networking integration, banner & feature boxes to promote content and multi-level user access. Modules that I have built for the CMS include blog and comment systems, galleries, file sharing modules, car pool system and related links.
The CMS is used on a daily basis by all of Raw’s clients and is continuously being developed with more awesome functionality. Roll on version 3!
Lectures, Screencasts And Conferences For Real Web Developers & Designers
Found this great website which collects…
Homepage App - Built by creatives, for creatives.
The “Homepage App” was a small personal project however it substantially grew once I revealed it to everyone at Raw.
The idea is simple, create a custom homepage featuring widgets that creatives use on a daily basis. An awesome web app built using the awesome CakePHP framework, HTML5, CSS and jQuery. It is soon to be released as an open source project for other creatives to use on a daily basis.
Features include integrating into CalDav servers, Twitter API and Google Analytics API, pulling posts from hundreds of blogs, helpful to do lists, a handy missed call feature with SMS texts and most importantly, a coffee timer.
A massive thanks to Raw for their input and Tom Heaton for his sleek design.
Rackspace Cloud Files – CNAME support + cool ‘new’ features
For “How to setup CNAME support on Rackspace Cloud Files”, jump straight to the tutorial below. Ok so I know Rackspace Cloud gave me a free t-shirt last week but I promise they are not giving me any other free stuff for writing this blog post…shame. Since Rackspace announced they were partnering with Akamai back [...]
Face tracking with Arduino + OpenCV + Processing – Part 1
I was speaking with the lovely Ruth Sellers a while back and she told me how her mum and dad used to take pictures on a Polaroid camera of any visitors that entered into their house. The resulting picture would then be pinned up around a thick wooden mirror above the stove in the dinning [...]
Ruth & Rob
A beautifully designed and built website for the Creative Director of Raw and his fiancé’s wedding. A relatively small project comprising mainly of a blog, RSVP system and bespoke Content Management System - built using HTML5, CSS, jQuery, PHP and MySQL.
UPS Remote Shutdown Script
This is a simple bash script which i've wrote that remotely shuts down servers…
Playing with Arduino
Recently I stumbled upon an old’ish blog post from the amazingly talented Rob Hawkes where he (and Redweb) created a “christmas spirit-o-meter” to measure peoples christmas spirit and display the results in the real world using a contraption that Rob built. Said contraption consisted of a christmassy-coloured backboard and a pointer attached to a servo [...]
Web Developer Placement @ Raw, Manchester
We have an exciting opportunity for any student who is looking for a year-long placement. We are looking for an enthusiastic student to come and join our award winning creative team who will be working alongside our current developer (that’s me) on a wide rang of web projects for our lovely clients. You will need [...]
HTML5 Breakout
A nifty little HTML5 'Breakout' game that I am currently creating. Based originally on Bill Mill's version, this game takes his work a step further by adding multiple levels/maps, points, retro imagery, lives and much more.
Soon to be released as open source and a fully working demo available right here within the next month. Check my GitHub or blog for more updates.
Skills Buzzwords…
HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript (+ jQuery), PHP (+ CakePHP, Code Igniter, EE), MySQL, Version control, Multi OS, Cloud computing
UPS Remote Shutdown Bash Script
This is a simple bash script that I wrote a few months back that remotely shuts down servers via SSH upon being executed. It is intended to be used as a shutdown script that should be called when a UPS sends a signal to a server to indicate that is should be shut down. We [...]
SNEAK PEAK - A new web app for creative agencies
This is a sneak peak of a new web app we are creating. It was initially designed…
Think Green
A fairly big campaign for NHS Derbyshire to reduce their carbon emissions by 25% within 4 years. I was lead developer on this project and contributed ideas towards the overall campaign and final website.
Features include a bespoke Content Management System, blog, pledge system and a feature-rich car pooling system integrated with Google Maps API. Go ahead and check out the site, car pool map and awesome introduction video by visiting wethinkgreen.co.uk
Lightweight jQuery image slideshow/slider plugin
Admittedly I’ve used off-the-shelf jQuery plugins when it comes to image slideshows/scrolling images. Although they work fine and you can do loads of crazy shit I can’t help but feel they are too heavy and over-the-top for 99% of the stuff I do. Really all I want is a nice slide or fade effect on [...]
11 out of 10 - Limited edition typographic poster
As 2011 emerges from the ashes of 2010, we find ourselves evaluating the past…