Geoffrey Jost
I've been building and maintaining complex web applications for over a decade. Current projects include a social networking site with interface and content in English, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese. Strangely enough for a programmer, I have a Masters of Library & Information Studies from UCLA (1998), with IT-focused courses such as systems analysis and design, database design, and web development.
Services
Custom Web Development
Everything from simple blogs to a large multilingual social networking site. I've used PHP, Ruby, and (a long time ago) Java and Perl, but my current tools of choice are Python and Django.
Linux System Administration
I've been running and administering various flavors of Linux (Debian, Ubuntu, Red Hat) for the last decade, and I've also done some work with FreeBSD. Most of my projects have used Apache2 and MySQL, but lately I've come to prefer Nginx and I'm liking PostgreSQL as well. And for quick and portable database fun it's hard to beat SQLite! I like to use automation tools like Puppet and Fabric to keep things solid, and of course I manage my source code with git. As a matter of principle, I do not use or support any Microsoft products.
Web Site Setup
For smaller and simpler projects, I can set up and customize open-source web applications like Drupal or WordPress.
Web Design
I'm not a designer myself, but I'm pretty handy with graphic design tools. If you have an idea, I may be able to execute it. If not, I can work with designers who can. If you're a print designer, I can help you turn your visual designs into working web sites.
Free/Open-Source
I believe that using free and open-source software and standard data formats wherever possible is in the best interest of my clients. I strive to make my sites usable by all web browsers, including Internet Explorer. Aside from that, as a matter of principle I do not use or support Windows or other Micro$oft products.
Current Work
Japanese American National Museum
* Implementing customized mini-sites for major exhibitions.
* Providing tools that enable non-technical staff and users to manage web site content.
* Administering a cluster of Linux database and web servers, including development and staging servers.
* Wielding Python and any other useful tools to process data as needed.
* Developed JANM online collections, a Django front end to the Museum's back-end Argus collections database.
DiscoverNikkei.org
Community site with interface and content in English, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese.
* Site includes the Nikkei Album, a multimedia storytelling application.
* DiscoverNikkei.org awarded Best of the Web at Museums and the Web 2007.
Past Work
Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Agency
Did back-end Django programming for numerous
Metro.net
site properties, including Service Advisories, customer feedback processing (now offline), the "Where Does Metro Take You?" itineraries contest, and for the promotional banner graphics used throughout the site.
* Architected dev/stage/production server environment with version control using git.
* Led transition from Apache2/mod_python to Nginx / Gunicorn with Memcached.
* Prototyped REST back-end for a new Trip Planner interface using web.py.
* Assisted with Red Hat Enterprise Linux server administration.
Vivendi Universal
* Designed and developed custom Java/JSP infrastructure, including user administration and content management and workflow tools.
* Implemented XML-RPC back-end for an early American Idol tie-in game.
* Assisted implementation of payment processing system using CyberSource.
* Trained colleagues in HTML, web graphics production, and usability issues.
* Administered the site's Apache2 and Tomcat setup.
* Managed project source code with CVS and (later) Subversion.
Knowledge Adventure,
* Development support for various products, including JumpStart, Math Blaster, and ClassWorks (when the latter was at KA).
Contact
geoffrey at jostwebwerks.com
/
626-380-0806
Jost WebWerks
—
530 S. Lake Ave #274,
Pasadena, CA 91101
US
