Hello, my name is Michiel van Oosterhout

Professional

I am a web developer from Rotterdam (The Netherlands). I work on websites and web applications for a creative company called Elan. My company offers digital asset management and database publishing as a service, I find this particular domain (asset and content management) fascinating and I enjoy researching the possibilities. I got my Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology in 2007 from the Rotterdam University (a university of Applied Sciences) doing feasibility research and a pilot of a combination of software platforms and development methodologies. As such I have experience working with Microsoft Windows and SQL Server products, ASP.NET with C#, Extensis Portfolio Server and Adobe InDesign software.

I also work a lot with visual and interaction designers. The challenge for me is to translate their ideas into working HTML, CSS and JavaScript and clearly communicating the requirements. Some of the websites I worked on are Zoover and Vakantie Makelaar. My role in these projects was to not only implement the design but also transfer the HTML and CSS assets over to third parties involved for implementation on top of their custom information systems. This is where our strength as a company lies, adding creativity to the process, with a clear understanding of the creative and technical aspects of a solution. Visit our website for more information.

[Disclaimer] The views expressed on this website are mine and not those of my employer or my employer’s customers.

Personal

In my spare time I like to write on my blog and do some more research into different topics of software engineering. You shouldn’t be surprised, look at the title of my website! Now I can hear you think: doesn’t this guy have any hobbies? Sure I have. I love to run, I got hooked when I bought an iPod and a Nike+ kit beginning of 2008. Since then I have logged a 1000+ kilometers and finished two half marathons (1h:34m). I also like touring on a motorcycle (which I don’t do nearly enough).

At any given time I’m reading at least two books, usually one technical and one fiction or otherwise. I’m trying to build a collection of DVD’s. David Lynch and the Coen brothers are among my favorite directors, but I find that you can never make a list of favorite movies, there’s always room for one more. Let’s just say: if I have it, it’s must be a favorite.