Morning All! This blog is now hosted on my new Debian linux VPS (Virtual Private Server), inside a Data Centre in Newark, NJ, USA*. Ive installed Apache Web Server, php and MySQL. I use this to host my clients websites. What I really like about my Hosting service, is the ability to connect to the host machine and view my VPS console. No more standing in a cold data centre, messing with network settings!

Virtualization is the future of hosting. It eliminates the restrictions of shared web hosting, and the expense and upkeep of dedicated servers. And, it’s kinder to the environment by more efficiently utilizing resources.

–Mark

* Even though the latency right now is very small, until a better VPS service becomes available in a closer geographical position, it will be hosted in Newark for now.

http://www.webdesigndev.com/roundups/30-most-influential-people-in-web-design

Below is a table detailing the software and tools I use for freelance web development. Let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions.

Below is a screenshot of the project I’m currently working on.

Before I start I have to say that I’m no expert in twitter, I have very little followers and maybe post one tweet a week. According to a study, 10% of twitter users are making up 90% of all ‘tweets’ right now. That make sense to me, but im sure it will level out after a while. Im not very vocal on twitter. I read 100 times more than I post, so I’m definitely not in the top, or bottom 10%. When i talk to people about twitter, I tell them to be very frugal about who you follow. For starters you can never read tweets from everyone. You’d get no real work done. Look at the content your getting and start separating the wheat from the chaff. In my experience, if someone is sending more than half a dozen tweets an hour, I stop following them. I try to keep the number of people I’m following to around 70 - 100, so if I see any reason to chop someone, i do. Not being calous, or arrogant, i just dont have the time to read spam.

Secondly, if someone decides to follow you, that doesnt mean that you have to follow them automatically. If its numbers your after, then go right ahead, but if all your going to do is look at your following count every time you use twitter, why use it? I use twitter right now to keep up with new freelance and web design stuff. I follow one or two celebs and a few friends i know well. I will admit that if i see a twit getting lots of followers, i will follow him out of curiosty to see what they have to say. Most of the time, I’m glad to see that they have lots to say.

Let me know below if you agree, or disagree.

Happy Tweeting!

–Mark

E-text editor is a windows clone of the popular mac editor textmate. Its a small HTML editor that has a powerful snippet editor. At the moment however the support for e-text editor has kinda become a bit scarce (no update in 5 months).

I created this simple screencast to show off e-text editor and also a little introduction into jQuery. There is no sound in this first one, maybe i’ll pick up the courage to do one with sound next time.

Enjoy - http://www.motionbox.com/videos/0699d2bc1817e88f

Hi,

I’ve been told that a blog is great addition to a C.V. So, I’ve started this blog today to sell myself and highlight my skills. Below is my C.V and Portfolio in word and pdf format.

Ok, i dont like talking about myself, so i will get this out of the way. I’m a talented, enthusiastic, passionate, web developer. I’m a jQuery evangelist and php programmer. I’m looking for a fast paced, fun and technology driven place to work! Please have a look at my C.V, follow me on twitter or email me if you’d like to find out more.

Below is download links for my C.V and Portfolio.

mark_duffy_cv_may_2009_blog (pdf)

mark_duffy_cv_march_2009_blog (MS Word 2003)

Portfolio 2009 (pdf)

Portfolio 2009 (MS Word 2003)

Update: I’m currently working on an on-line travel insurance site. Its done in VB.NET. I will post a link as soon as it has gone live.

–Mark