Birnam Designs

I specialize in Flash, backend development, and XHTML, but I also cover several other fields.

Flash / Actionscript

I use Flash to create interactive tours, rich media interfaces, data visualization gadgets, animated callouts, and tools. My flash movies are optimized to download content as needed to minimize load times and improvement performance. My code is clean, fully OOP, and is made to be as easy as possible to modify for future updates.

Most flash projects are developed in pure code, written in Vim and compiled with mxmlc. I do occasionally use the Flash IDE, but I prefer movies that are rendered dynamically.

When possible, flash movies are made to read all of its settings and content from an external XML file. This allows a site to be modified without having to recompile the flash movie for every change, which is very useful when working in teams. It also makes it possible to run the file from a script that builds the XML from database content or other dynamic sources.

In addition to pure AS3 I also create web applications using the Flex framework, and Air applications for the desktop.

Backend

My primary language for backend development has been PHP/MySQL, although I expect to be using Python more in the coming year. I also have a lot of experience with C# with ASP.NET and MSSQL, although I recommend the LAMP stack to clients when possible. 

For CMS/Framework I primarily use Joomla. I also frequently use WordPress and have begun using Django as well. I have also written several custom systems over the years. I build custom components and modules for Joomla not only to enable the client to display content and services exactly how they want, but to provide an easy way to manage the specialized content.

XHTML/CSS

I create templates from Photoshop files and other sources, made for use with Joomla, WordPress, or other CMS, or to use as-is for static websites. My goal is to always validate to XHTML 1.0 Strict and use web standards to create semantic code and accessible content. My layouts are tested in Chrome, Firefox, IE7, IE8, Opera, and Safari. I test on other browsers by request. My code is light, quick to load, and easy to read.

I am a proponent of looking forward, not back. I use progressive enhancement to make my work look as good as possible, using the best of what's available. But in older or less-capable browsers, the website appears only slightly plainer - never broken. I keep up with the latest word in browser statistics so I can help advise clients on which browsers to focus on during development.

I use modern javascript frameworks such as JQuery and MooTools to control interaction, and write plugins to create module, distributable features.

Miscellaneous

In addition to Air apps mentions above, I also write a lot of my own scripts and programs. Sometimes as GUIs with Python using Qt or GTK+, and sometimes with Python or just Bash as a pure command line tool.

I use Git for version control and Amazon S3 for backup to create a smooth working environment that lets me work easily and smoothly with my clients or within a team.