Portfolio

Click on one of the projects in the left hand menu to read more about it. Make sure you click on the pictures for each project to view the full version.

I've got two very cool projects in the pipeline so check back soon!

This page initially required JavaScript. I recently changed however to show a good example of degradable JavaScript! Degradable JavaScript means that if JavaScript is turned off the user can still access the content. They then only miss out on some of the nicer user interface features rather that missing out on everything. Make sure your JavaScript development is done right!

Hunters Residential

Roles

As part of a major re-branding at the prestigious law firm Gillespie Macandrew, the Hunters Residential website needed updating and extending with new features.

My responsibilities for this project include the full PHP and mySQL development. The core tinplating and some of the features were handled by the etomite CMS. The features that I had to add included adding new properties (automatically from an XML based feed), advances searches, displaying results a Google map and a user login/registration system.

After the first version of the website was completed I then was responsible for the technical design for future additions. This was due to a major revision in the websites requirements and at the time I had other commitments and was therefore unable to give enough time for development. Instead I overseen the websites development.

Technologies

  • PHP 5
  • mySQL 5
  • JavaScript/JSON/Ajax
  • MooTools/Google Maps API
  • Etomite (PHP CMS)

Click here to visit: Hunters Residential

Please note, this website may have changed since the handover.

Pure Services

Roles

Pure Services required a simple website with clear presentation of their services and goals as a company and to provide customers a method of contacting them. The website had to be created on a low budget and in a short period of time. It was also designed so that it could be easily updated with a simple back-end.

My responsibilities for this project include the full design and implementation.

Technologies

  • ASP.NET 2.0 (C#)
  • HTML/CSS

Click here to visit: Pure Services

Please note, this website may have changed since the handover.

Saltire Suzuki

Roles

The Saltire Suzuki website was created for a bike shop in Edinburgh, Scotland. Saltire Suzuki required a website where they could manage listings of bikes and news articles. The website was therefore given a full custom made content management system and allowed Saltire to add remove bikes and news including pictures.

I was responsible for the full database design and implementation along with the full PHP design and coding.

This project was completed with a design agency based in Edinburgh, following its completion I then ran training courses for some of their members of staff. This was intended to give them a solid understanding of coding principles including object oriented theory.

Technologies

  • PHP 4
  • mySQL 4
  • JavaScript
  • HTML/CSS

Click here to visit: Saltire Suzuki

Please note, this website may have changed since the handover.

Ajax Query Builder

This project was to create an interface programmed in JavaScript for generating SQL queries with a visual query builder. It was developed as part of my Honours Degree in Software Technology. The intended purpose of this project was to be used inside phpMyAdmin, a highly popular open source project.

I received very positive feedback from this project and it was features on a number of news websites including Ajaxian.com. This sent over 1000 unique Visit ors to view this project in a matter of hours, proving to be a very good test of the interface.

As this was a research project the goal was to push towards the boundaries of what was possible inside the browser and it taught me a great deal about what can and can't be done. I found the project very challenging, enjoyable and rewarding to see such kind feedback.

A live demo can be put online on request.

Technologies

  • PHP 4
  • mySQL 4
  • JavaScript/Ajax (lots of!)
  • HTML/CSS

FoAN

Roles

FoAN, is a growing charity that primary interest is in supporting nursing in Africa. They needed a website constructed quickly to replace an old out-dated website. The new website had to keep the same feel and look to match the other handouts etc. that they had been using.
The full website was created within 1 and a half weeks, I was responsible for full design and implementation.

Technologies

  • PHP 5
  • mySQL 5
  • HTML/CSS

Click here to visit: FoAN

Please note, this website may have changed since the handover.

Security Audits

I have performed security audits on a number of websites over the years. Unfortunately for obvious reasons examples of these reports can't be disclosed. However I can describe them in generic terms.

One of the largest websites that I worked on was a web start-up company based in Holland. Their website was created for online gambling, focusing on the local market in Holland. For example one of the options involved answering multiple choice questions (based on local topics) within a time limit.

My audit involved a full analysis of the code that had been developed by a 3rd party. After carrying this out I produced a detailed report highlighting various critical security flaws. I also included advisements on how these could be fixed and generic tips for specific area's that seemed to be lacking good security practice.

Security audits are fascinating to do as a job and carrying out security audits as a developer makes me much more aware about security and how important it is. Therefore I take this very seriously in all my work.

Personal Projects

Most of these projects are quite small or just for fun. However, some of them are far more substantial.

Map

A small side project. I wanted to plot my visitors on a google map. You can see the result here, can you spot yourself?
http://map.dougalmatthews.com/

I also made a slightly more experemental version that shows visitors as they arrive on the website. Depending on the time of day, you might see a few or you might not!
http://map2.dougalmatthews.com/

Galactocracy

This is a Facebook application made as part of a university project with 3 other group members. You can add the gave to your account by following this link;
http://apps.facebook.com/galactocracy/

Feeds

I hate when websites don't create RSS feeds when they seem to make sense. So I've created RSS feeds for them here:
http://feed.dougalmatthews.com/