Jim Kirkpatrick

I am a freelance web developer, designer and consultant who wants to support companies, groups and individuals who want to make the world a bit better. "Don't be evil", as Google's informal motto goes - and so the work I do and the clients I work for must not be harming the environment or society in their actions. Ideally, they're actively working to make the world a better place. I love Free Open Source Software and will show conclusively why my clients should too. Indeed, I now regularly help make Ubuntu and its related software a little better by doing my bit.

Buzzwords and abbreviations I regularly work with are: HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL, Drupal, Ubuntu Linux, XML, XSL, JavaScript, jQuery and PHORTWANG. Ok, so I made the last one up, but the rest are my bread and butter so please contact me if you want to employ my mad skillz and me for your projects.

Past

I studied Media Computing at Exeter University, but have been a programmer and designer since my first rubber-keyed ZX Spectrum back in the day. After Uni I worked at MBA Systems for 2 years where I helped build many financial websites that allowed real-time asset management and share dealing. Then I moved to a recruitment agency, Matchtech Group plc, where I initially completely rewrote their website (an older version) to be connected to their bespoke recruitment systems. Later I led a team of 6 developers in rewriting the company's core recruitment systems that ran the £100 million turnover company and managed hundreds of thousands of companies, candidates and job vacancies.

I quit in late 2006 after the successful launch of the project to have a break, try my hand at some new things and get out the rat race. After my time in the office 9-5, I wanted something else. So I lived on a farm for 3 months, worked with DA21 (Dorset Agenda 21), did a straw bale building course and generally tried be as far from an office as I could.

Present

I've been engaged in politics by convening the Winchester Green Party, standing as a candidate in the 2008 Local Elections and becoming coordinator of the local party. I have been heavily involved in local environmental activism and have worked with WinACC, where I am part of the Membership Group. I also designed their new web membership system and completely rebuilt their website by converting from Wordpress to Drupal.

October 2008 sees me go freelance and start building what I hope will be a very sucessful web business.

Future

The future's unwritten, man. Or rather, this section is — I do have some ideas about where I'm going. One day I'll update.