Eric Artzt @ Badda Big Boom

I enjoy building interactive websites that solve problems as specifically and simply as possible. I primarily work with Ruby on Rails, Javascript, and XHTML/CSS. I dabble in design, though I work with a visual designer on many of my projects. I love using Rails because it simplifies many aspects of web development and allows me to focus on designing solutions rather than writing reams of code. I can help you break down your project into logical steps and help you get it done in a predictable period of time. I also do some work with PHP, basic server administration, and in the further distant past, have coded in C#, VB, and C++.

Email me at artzte at baddabigboom.com.

Recent Projects

PerkyPoll.com

Contribute to all aspects of web application development for social networking site. Helped design and develop Ruby on Rails site, including extensive front-end development using Ruby, Javascript/Ajax, and HTML/CSS, and back-end development using Ruby and MySQL. This is not my visual design, but I did code most of the interactive interfaces including the poll editor, results editor, and widget editor, and have sought to help out the site’s visionary, John Knapp, with project management guidance.

Digital Learning Commons

Update Bookmarks, a site that allows educators to share web links and information. Update the application to Rails 2, add the ability to create user-designed pages incorporating web links and notes, and add in-place editing for web links. Create a page caching scheme and PHP code to include content on PHP pages.

Luxury Real Estate

Work with client staff to develop Ruby on Rails engine for creating real estate broker websites such as Turnquist Partners and Ewing and Clark. Develop shared code libraries supporting property listings and search, agent profiles, MLS import, and office information. Develop administrative application including leads manager, roles/privileges, data import from MLS systems, and content management. I have ongoing involvement with Luxury Real Estate. They are a smart bunch of guys and great to work with.

The Nova Project

Lead efforts to transition a Seattle public high school from an archaic, paper-based method of status reporting to a new process using a web-based student information system. I evaluated state-mandated reporting requirements and available technology offerings and then worked with Nova staff to understand their process and workflow within this unique Seattle alternative high school. I designed and developed tinySIS, a Ruby on Rails application that tracks courses, independent study contracts, attendance, assignments, and status reports for 280 students.

Church of the Resurrection

Developed version 3 of the church website. The first site was hand-coded HTML that someone else had done. In 2006, when I was first learning Rails, I created a Rails-based replacement for the site that included some basic content management functionality. In 2008, I upgraded them to Joomla. See the project page for more information.

The Murky Past

Art of Defense (1998-2003)

Owner/operator of a martial arts studio in Redmond. Taught classes for adults and children in Wing Tzun Kung Fu, Latosa Escrima, and Cuong Nhu Karate.

Microsoft Corporation (1990-1998)

Program manager on three retail content / educational products. Broad responsibilities including team leadership, functional design and specification, technical design in collaboration with development and test leads, scheduling, bug triage, and release management. I was the lead PM on the following products:

  • Streets and Trips 2000
  • Trip Planner 98
  • Creative Writer II

I started work at Microsoft as a programmer/writer. I have written developer materials for technologies including Tablet PC, Multimedia Viewer, and Windows Multimedia.

Unisys Corporation (1986-1990)

In my first real job out of college, I worked a variety of roles in publications groups at a financial software development center.

  • Lead development efforts on a computer-based training system using a strange memory-resident tool called Shelley.
  • Lead publications group in transition from mainframe-based markup language to PC-based network and use of Xyvision electronic publishing system
  • Write technical documentation for check-sorting systems.

Education

  • Bachelor’s in Public Relations / Minor Computer Science, University of Florida / 1986
  • Master’s in Education / Educational Technology, University of Washington / 2007