Topic index
The author's journey
My top priorities
Future possibilities
The site content
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I built this site to "advertise" my Web building skills and find a job.
You'll also find a few useful tools, and some stuff just for fun!
Please send any helpful suggestions!
I'd really appreciate it.
The author's journey
Wouldn't it be great
if you had known - early in life - what you wanted to do when you grew up, got the proper education and encouragement, and actually did it and loved it? Some of us (including me) didn't find out what our real talents and preferences were until much later, often by trial and error. It's been an interesting journey.....
I probably should have been a research scientist,
because I've always loved the excitement of discovering the secrets of the natural world. As a child, my fascination was with astronomy, biology, paleontology (fossils), and geology. By the time I entered college, I was determined to be a chemist. But trying to pay my way by working 2 part-time jobs was too exhausting.
My college studies were cut short
when I entered the Air Force. Because I scored high on the entrance exam, they placed me in Electronics school - which took me all the way to the circuitry of digital computers. I was absolutely fascinated by computers, took some programming courses, and found out I was very good at it - and loved it.
I was a computer programmer for 16 years
, mostly in financial systems on mainframe computers. I learned a lot about good systems design, reusable modules, testing, and documentation. I worked with a lot of great people, and enjoyed using my mind to create.
After 16 years, programming became boring,
because I was "maintaining" software but not "creating" it. So I looked for other sources of income. First, I owned and operated a home improvement business. I enjoyed the freedom of working for myself, and didn't mind physical labor, but I never made much money.
What were my strongest skills?
- I wondered. Astronomy and biology had always been a passion of mine. And I felt a strong desire to communicate what I knew. So in 1996 I decided to write about Bio-Astronomy - the search for life beyond Earth. This was a powerful topic, I decided. Something practically everyone is interested in.
After taking a few writing courses, and struggling to write for a couple of years, I came to several conclusions. First, writing was something I really needed to do - it was good for my soul because it let me create something. But I was too much of a perfectionist, and therefore too slow. Plus I had chosen an extremely complex topic. What if I finally managed to write a book, and publishers rejected it?
My friends suggested I publish on the Web
, and patiently showed me how to how to get my computer online and use a browser. I quickly got excited about publishing on the Web. I didn't need anyone's approval! Plus I could use graphics, links, even animation and sound. I could see that the Web was a powerful means of communication. But I needed new skills.
In 2002, I went back to school to learn Web building,
and also Web programming - which was a huge eye-opener for me. Years ago, when I was a programmer, I was accustomed to using a single computer language. But on the Web there were many different languages and technologies. Building a Web site did require activities that I was familiar with: information architecture, data flow, and programming. But Web building also involved graphic design and text writing - activities I wanted to do "for fun".
Web building was the answer to my prayers
- a way to use skills I already had, plus new skills I was eager to develop, and create income at the same time! And I'd be part of an Earth-shaking revolution in communication. Web building was something I had to do, and couldn't imagine ever getting bored with it.
In early 2003, I contacted local Web builders,
and found work as a contract Web programmer. I learned a lot very fast, but unfortunately the job didn't last. I was eager to do more! But with limited experience, I needed a way to "prove" what I could do.
In late 2003, I started building this site.....
My top priorities - Jan 2004
1. Finding full time work as a Web programmer or Web builder
- at an entry level if necessary. I'm even willing to work briefly as an unpaid "intern" - just to demonstrate my abilities.
2. Doing contract Web programming from home.
I'm available!
Please let me know
if you hear about a job opportunity in these areas.
I realize that this is a bad time
to look for a full-time Web programming job. Not only is the economy slow, but some large corporations are sending programming jobs overseas, and putting skilled American programmers out of work. They are now additional competition for jobs I might have had. So I'm forced to think about other income options besides Web programming in a corporate environment. Contract work may be in more demand.
Future possibilities
Recently, I took a psychological preference test
at Assessment.Com, and confirmed what I already knew about myself. I'm a highly imaginative thinker and dreamer who needs to design and create on my own - but within a "big picture". I'm more interested in design principles than in technical details. I also feel a strong need to communicate. And my focus is on projects that are useful to others.
So it's no surprise
that I enjoy Web design more than legacy programming, am intensely aware of Web usability issues, and feel driven to write educational material and tutorials. There must be a way to use these skills to create income. So I'm considering several approaches....
What are the best opportunities today in the Info Tech / Web technology fields?
The Web builder that I worked for as a contractor suggested 4 things:
* Sales of computer software. Although I've done sales, and was fairly good at it, I'd rather create software.
* Developing a good software product that fills an existing need and can be "added-on" to a company Web site or computer system. I'd love to do this, and I can see many possibilities - some are described in detail in my site. I'm very confident in my ability to visualize good, useful products. For every idea I've had so far, I later discovered that someone else also thought it was a good idea, and had already developed it! But I'm not discouraged. There's always a way to do it better or cheaper, once the market exists. Of course, developing a product will take time, so I still need a job - at least for a while.
* Starting a Web building business - if I keep it very simple. I love working for myself, and I know that custom programming can return a good immediate income. I'm convinced that I already have the basic skills to build simple, functional Web sites. But who's in the market for one?
* Web useability consulting. Most companies and organizations already have a Web site, but many of them are not effective because they weren't designed around a clear business model. I need a little more knowledge of business, but this type of consulting could generate Web building business.
The site content
To promote all these goals
(listed above), I built this extensive Web site to "prove what I can do". Now that you know my objectives - I invite your comments and suggestions on how well the site accomplishes them.
Home page
On the left and right are links to reuseable code modules, templates, and reference notes that I designed and built from scratch. I built these items to "get ready" for real life projects, but you're welcome to reuse them if you wish. (How would you make them more useable?)
The most extensive "Demo Application" (below my photo) is
Are We Alone?
- based on the science of Bio-Astronomy. Hopefully, this demo also illustrates my skills as a writer and illustrator. I'd love to develop this into a commercial Web site when I have time. I have much more material that could be added.
My main page also links to my Resume
And it links to "Need a Web builder?" .
This section is a combination of .......
* How I design, organize, and manage Web projects. (What's your approach?)
* A tutorial on the subject. (Could a Web novice follow my instructions?)
* A business plan. (How would you market yourself? Where am I inviting problems?)
The main page (bottom center) also links to projects "In development" - as marketable Web software products. I'm especially interested in "self building" sites where I can provide functional page skeletons, and let the user fill the page skeletons with text and graphic content via the Web.
Can you think of other projects? Who knows? - maybe someday we'll put our ideas together and build something amazing!
I'd appreciate any helpful suggestions you have
, and invite you to tell me a little about yourself. Are you working as a programmer or Web builder? In your own business? What languages or technologies are you primarily using?
Anthony Francis Cernosek 3/3/2004
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