Darren Taylor BSc

Darren Taylor

Tea Driven Development

Email: shout@darrenonthe.net

Web: http://darrenonthe.net

Skype: darren_teed

Hiya, my name is Darren and I love playing games, building things and I probably drink too much tea.

You can find the source code for this website over at Github along with my other open source contributions.

Award Winning Game Developer

After taking part in my first Game Jam; Scottish Game Jam 2012, me and my team scooped "Best Technology" for our browser based space game, Space Scape.

Versatile Software Developer

Over 6 years professional experience in start up environments developing predominantley web solutions; server and client side using a variety of technologies.

More than a button basher

Experience in project planning and project management using Agile Scrum methodologies and love devising ways to increase productivity and efficiency in development teams.

Profile

Hailing from Dundee but now living in Kirkcaldy, Fife, I'm primarily a PHP Developer and currently working as the Development Manager for Dunfermline based startup company, Planys Cloud.

Since graduating from Dundee University in 2009 with a degree in Computer Science, I have worked exclusively in startup companies helping plan, develop and maintain complex, API-centric, web applications along with supporting server side platforms and RESTful API's.

Despite spending the majority of my professional experience in amongst thousands of lines of server side code, I also enjoy meddling with Javascript frameworks such as Backbone to create dynamic user experiences and love an excuse to make something slide in or fade out. I'd also dive at the opportunity to try and test new technologies, server or client side.

I have had the pleasure of working with some incredibly clever people on some fascinating projects from which I've gained invaluable knowledge and experience. Through continued learning, I constantly strive to better myself and in turn, the work I produce. I enjoy learning from others and also passing on my own knowledge which I've gained throughout an enjoyable career thus far and hope to continue in the same vein going forward.

Skills

  • Apache
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • PHP MVC Frameworks
  • Coffee/Javascript
  • CSS / SASS / LESS
  • Ruby on Rails
  • Javascript MVC Frameworks
  • Grunt/Gulp
  • MongoDB
  • Node.js
  • Express
  • Unit Testing
  • Version Control
  • Continious Integration
  • Agile Methodologies
  • Vagrant
  • Open Source Search Engines

Portfolio

BeeFound

Platform to help Locums find Practices and Practices find Locums which features automated booking phone calls with real time feedback.

OpenEar

HTML5/Javascript Online music streaming platform with offline capabilities.

Mi Rewards Perth

Loyalty scheme platform for local businesses aimed at encouraging highstreet retail. Fully integrated with shop Point of Sale Terminals.

Work History

Senior Developer / Development Manager

Planys CloudAugust 2012 - present

Now a Development Manager, my role at Planys Cloud is to get products over the line - acting as a middle man between our Producers, Developers and any third parties who show an interest. Despite my additional responsibilities as a Development Manager, I still spend alot of time developing solutions for our clients in whatever technology we agree best fits the requirements. Usually, this includes building complex PHP Content Management Systems which expose API's to support accompanying websites and mobile phone applications.

Software Developer

ZenditJuly 2011 - Aug 2012

My primary role was to maintain and further develop a "Platform as a Service" which was used to power a variety of applications. I also contributed to the creation and maintenance of the aforementioned applications which were usually interactive frontend websites using our Platform for all of it's business logic and data handling.

Web Developer

Internet CreationJuly 2009 - July 2011

My day to day responsibilities were developing new and maintaining existing Websites for a huge client base across the world. From simple brochure websites, to e-commerce solutions and bespoke content management systems; I met and worked with clients directly to understand their business requirements and translate that into a functional website.

Education

Degree in Computer Science / Applied Computing

University of Dundee2007 - 2009

Java Online: introduction to Object Oriented Progrmaming

University of Dundee2006 - 2007

HND (Higher National Diploma) Software Development

Dundee College2006 - 2007

HNC (Higher National Certificate) Computing

Dundee College2005 - 2006

NQ (National Qualification) Information Systems

University of Dundee2004 - 2005