About Freelance Web Developer, Jim Callender
Jim Callender is a adaptable, fast-learning and co-operative freelancer, with a strong passion for the web. His skills are in web development.
Living in Brighton, and working throughout the South-East on a variety of projects for small to medium size businesses. Also contracting for a number of independent web agencies. Generally, either working with individuals on a freelance basis or larger clients on fixed term contracts.
I've worked for various charities, government agencies and publishing firms. Producing work for clients of international renown in the commercial sector.
Clients: Royal Mail Group / Emap / BT / News International / Halifax / Travelbag / Ebay / Sapient / Tower Hamlets Council / Hewlett Packard / Compaq / Malmaison / Expedia Europe / Southern Railways / Jardine Lloyd Thompson / Lloyd & Partners Ltd / Reed Elsevier / LexisNexis
I class myself as a web developer, because this combines both designing and coding, created to high standards using current W3C and Accesibility standards. Ensuring that the website and any applications work correctly on the latest browser versions, as well as mobile technology such as PDA's and mobile phones.
I do most of my work on an Apple Macbook. I often hotdesk at clients offices where they have desktop pc's or I use my laptop. Both are flexible enough to fulfill most projects. I like to use open source programs which allow me to be more in control than WYSIWYG editors.
I prefer to hand code as it gives more control over your code, and it makes it more quicker to fix bugs or add extra features to a page. Giving greater speed and greater control of the web pages. Its also an excellent way to learn if you are just starting out.
I enjoy dealing with the initial project setup meeting to the final launch of the website. Building standard compliant websites is not only challenging, its also very satisfying to create something that will last longer than the backward compatible 'table' formatted site.
Part of my role as a freelancer is to keep up to date with the latest developments on the web, be it an article on a blog or a new release of software. I regularly attend web design conferences such as @media and Carson Summits events to stay informed with the next generation of web sites and applications. It has certainly become easier to do this with RSS feeds and personalised homepages on Google or Netvibes.
There is always something new on the net to learn from, be it code, design, compatibility or marketing. There is a lot of skills to learn in the current marketplace. I find this exciting; learning the knowledge to build stronger websites for clients.
I keep up to date in a number of ways, almost a full time job in itself!
- Attend seminars and conferences
- In-house training
- Trial and error
- Participate in discussion boards
- Participate in mailing lists
- Read design/web design books
- Read relevant websites, blogs, zines
- Collaborate with other companies on projects
My top tip for other freelancers is to get out there and make yourself known, communicate, network in small business groups, and generally be 'nice' to people. Things change quickly out in the mew media circuit and if you are not discussing the hot topics between your network peers, you may soon have a lot of catching up to do. Start reading other designers blogs if you have time.
If you are a web designer or developer, I also recommend that you subscribe to mailing lists such as The Web Standards Group, or Eric Meyer's CSS Discuss.
When I'm not at the computer, I usually found in the great outdoors, walking the many hidden corners of the UK, taking a group of friends on a canoe journey down the Thames, or relaxing in the forever changing seasons in the UK.
I volunteer for conservation charity which I lead Internationally for. I am also a freelance trainer for various outdoor training companies in the UK. These all combine smoothly with my life on the web.
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