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Mark Dekker
e
Skype: mxd123
Linked in

With over 7 years of experience as a Front-End Developer, I am well practiced with the necessary languages and applications to develop within current and legacy browsers.

I can manage any part, or all, of a website's production, from the conceptual stage right through to going live.

Using the services of some very talented web designers I provide user-focussed, feature-rich web applications, widgets and websites.

I work as a contractor, and most of the time remotely.
I am currently based in Montreal, Canada with clients in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and The Netherlands.

Featured project : bigairbag.com

soulonline

This client was in desperate need for a rebrand and website upgrade, so I did just that.

The site is built in wordpress with a completely custom theme, javascript elements, and a google map locator for the bags.

It also includes a custom built html/javascript bag configurator.

The design and html/css was a collaborative effort between myself and two very talented co-workers.

Check it out at: bigairbag.com

Featured project : bbbcycling.com

soulonline

Wordpress based site merged with a large microsoft product database. The page and category structure, and news items are managed from within wordpress admin, and the products are managed at the factory where they are made and stored in a separate database.

I created this site which merges the two together in the most client friendly way.

The site also includes a google map driven store locator, and some custom product filtering.

bbbcycling.com

Featured project : soulonline.nl

soulonline

WordPress multisite installation, custom post types, custom banner ads, issuu.com pdf viewer integration, loads of jquery, quickcache plugin

The client is a sports magazine publisher and wanted a slick site to increase subscriptions, and give the brand a more professional appearance.

The main site is: soulonline.nl, it has 7 unique
'sub-sites' running from it, one for each magazine.

I also heavily modified a wordpress newsletter plugin so it allows them to build their own custom HTML emails from the sites' content.

HTML/CSS templates and Wordpress themes

Example of complex HTML templates

The core of my Front-end dev experience centres around slicing up designs and providing cross-browser, standards compliant templates and themes.

I have extensive knowledge of browser quirks and workarounds, and use the minimum code necessary to achieve pixel-perfect replication of the designs.

Object-Orientated Javascript + jQuery

Example of AJAX Timesheets system

I have built a number of projects using jQuery including an AJAX/ASP time logging system for a large web development company, and a Facebook integrated social networking application/website.

I can also build custom jQuery plugins and widgets for your website or web-application.

PHP Content management

Example of PHP content managed website

I have built many websites using open-source Content Management Systems like Wordpress, Joomla, Silverstripe as well as custom 'one off' administration systems.

I can take on a project at any phase, from the
concept/wire-framing stage right through to delivery of the content managed site, including hosting and search engine optimisation.

Web Design + Programming

Example of good graphic design

I have much respect for good website designers who have spent years perfecting their skills in making stuff look good and I'm not about to pretend I am one.

But in saying that, I do have a good eye for design and a drive for perfection that you may not find in other programmers.

This may because I have spent my career between the two disciplines, bridging the gap between designers and developers, and understanding how both think and work.

Some Examples

Big Air Bag - A wordpress powered site showcasing big air bags, huge landing bags used for extreme sports.

Soul Media - A large wordpress multisite with a lot of custom theme elements and fancy javascript.

BBB Cycling - A challenging combination of a Wordpress driven site merged with a large microsoft product database.

carnod.com.au - I built the HTML templates and some of the front end interaction for this site. I was also involved in the wire-framing and concept work.

clairedekker.com - Portfolio site for a very talented graphic designer, I built it using the open-source Silverstripe CMS

mfb.vic.gov.au - Melbourne Fire Brigade, I built the front end interaction and templates, including a google map implementation.

smartlapjes.nl - A dutch not-for-profit website that provides handkerchiefs made by little old ladys. I built the templates, and set up the CMS including a paypal payment gateway.


Projects currently in development:

A extreme sports product guide website, with a specific ipad and iphone version. All HTML5 and CSS3 with some sexy jQuery.