I'm Not Dead Yet

Contrary to the lack of postings recently, I am alive and kicking in web development. An update on where I have been and what I have been working on.

Back in January I announced that I was going out on my own in web development. One of the things I mentioned in that announcement was "One nice thing about the change is that I should be able to get on a regular schedule of posting on this blog..."

Well, so much for that commitment. I have made exactly two posts since then. Fact of the matter is that until a couple of weeks ago I have been too busy with client work to spend time on blog posts, redesigning my site or even pursuing new business. This has been a surprise (a pleasant one) since I really did not have opportunity in my previous position to line up any business ahead of time.

Here are a few things I have learned over the last six months.

   1. I like doing this work day in and day out. I also like running my own business.
   2. I can actually succeed at this (Hey, I was not sure of that in January).
   3. People are desperate for web developers who are dependable and pleasant to work with.
   4. Even when business is finding you and you have too much to do, you need to be pursuing the kinds of clients and projects that you want to base your business on.
   5. Solid, well thought-out base code is extremely important and is the key to profitability (and sanity). Unfortunately, it takes time to develop.
   6. My most important web skill (and yours) has nothing to do with code (more on that in a later post but look at #3 for a hint).

Over the last six months I have run myself pretty hard, but it is paying off and getting a little more sane. I think it will still be another six months before I am in full stride but I feel good about where I am at this point. Currently, my work is about 45% front-end coding, 40% TYPO3 work and another 15% visual design. Most of my projects involve at least two of those areas.

In spite of heavy client work, I have made some progress on other fronts.

   1. I am close to releasing a new design on my company site.
   2. I am well along the way of having the base code I need.
   3. I am deep into development on a set of starter files and best practices for templating with TemplaVoila. I am actually working this project in coordination with WEC (webempoweredchurch.com) and it promises to end up being something that many TYPO3 developers could benefit from.
   4. Progress has been made on a TYPO3-driven demo site I will use to pursue CMS projects.
   5. And finally, I have developed several topics that should provide me with much to write about in this blog. I know, you will believe it when you see it. Just keep watching.

Anyway, future posts will have more practical advice and code than this one, but thought I would catch you all up on where I have been before I jumped back in.