Quiet class, Andrew’s talking
Why is it that people are always harping on about how strange developers are, how they hang out in the dark in basements and can’t communicate if not in code? Well we must be really lucky then because our developers are nothing like that, and Andrew is no exception………..apart from when he’s writing code, and hanging out in the basement.
Me: Hi Andrew, can you give our readers a brief synopsis of what you do here at SD?
Andrew: Anything technical that a site needs, from intergrating with third part applications to writing custom shopping cart systems to creating custom plugins for exisiting platforms – anything that involves a programming language of whatever sort. Although it’s nice to chillout with a simple bit of HTML templating every now and then. Oh, and I’m the resident old-fart and grumbler.
Me: Do you think that developers are often portrayed in the wrong light, or are the writers generally right?
Andrew: I can’t think of the last time a developer/programmer was displayed as anything but a nerd (except in the film “Hackers” which was awful anyway). I know very few nerdy developers and even then the most “nerdy” do something that breaks down that stereotype; for instance I know an ubernerd that loves nothing more than stripping motorbikes and kitesurfing.
Me: Which project have you worked on that you’ve found most challenging and why?
Andrew: I would have to say the recent Charlie Bears project – php, mysql, xml, actionscript 2 and 3, javascript, google maps integration, thirdparty backoffice integration. I’m very proud of the php backend that creates the data that populates the site. Once I created a decent architecture everything fell into place and now it’s actually a pleasure to add extra functionality.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
Andrew: The problem solving and being given a free-reign to create elegant solutions.
Me: Tell us a bit about yourself then
Andrew: I started out doing allsorts of jobs from cooking to painting and decorating and running the kids video section for HMV on Oxford Street! I got into programming back in the mid-nineties and worked for GEC Plessey Semiconductors designing customer logic cells. I’ve worked with various high-profile companies over the years including Birdseye Walls, Guinness, BT, Philips, the O2 Arena and various large hotel chains on projects as diverse as Van Sales software and Video on Demand systems.
Me: When you aren’t staring at code or writing it, what do other pastimes do you have? (be honest! We know about the squirrels!)
Andrew: Here come the “breaking the stereotype” bit. Oddly enough I rarely use a computer at home and spend any free time I have hunting (I know you won’t believe me but squirrel really does taste lovely), free-diving, spearfishing and practicing instinctive archery. I have also started a rock-climbing course. I have two girls aged 9 and 17 – the youngest is a terrific rockclimber (that’s why I’m taking the course) and the eldest is hoping to go University College London to study Scandinavian, Russian and Slavik studies – as you can tell I’m a very proud dad. Oh and I’ve been with Zoe, my wife, for 24 years now – aww!
Me: So what about design? Never fancied venturing into that?
Andrew: I actually studied Graphic Design back in the eighties. We used markers and paper – none of this computer stuff! We were true hardcore designers! No, I’m quite happy to leave it to our super-talented design team whom I love dearly.
Me: Think back a long, long way…. What are your best and worst memories of going back to school?
Andrew: That’s going back a way! Summers seemed to go on for ever and I’d rather remember that than going back to school 
