Andrew B. King, MSME/Webmaster
Ideal Job
Usability Czar - Optimization of usability and speed of multiple web sites at large design firm or corporation.
Experience
- 2002 - present Freelance Writer
- Wrote Speed Up Your Site: Web Site Optimization for New Riders Publishing.
- 2002 - present Technical Advisor
-
To MBA classroom discussion, for students in The Kellstadt Graduate School of Management at DePaul University. Weekly input to classes, and response to students' questions related to websites, linkages and e-business tools and applications. DePaul is ranked #4 among graduate schools of business by U.S. News & World Report.
- 2001 - present Newsletter Editor
- For internet.com's WebReference.com and JavaScript.com. Write thrice-weekly newsletters for these developer sites. Write book and site reviews, interviews, and summaries of related news on and off-site. Total of over 150,000 subscribers.
- 1997 - 2001 (May) Managing Editor/Usability Czar
- For WebReference.com, JavaScript.com, and internet.com. Managed and edited eight expert columnists in developer-related topics (Perl, JavaScript, DHTML, HTML, graphics, design, etc.) on WebReference. Webmastered, wrote articles and code, and promoted sites. Increased WebReference's traffic over ten-fold from 700,000 to over 9,000,000 impressions per month with 70-80,000 unique visitors per day. Won over 100 awards including nine times on PC Magazine's Top 100. As Usability Czar optimized home pages and site templates for internet.com properties.
- 1998-1999 Project Manager
- At internet.com managed the creation of News Harvester, a free headline news distribution service. Utilizing a Perl backend, JavaScript, DHTML, and Perl front-ends, users can display news from internet.com on their sites. Compatible with RSS.
- 1995 - 1997 Webmaster
- Created and maintained
WebReference.com, a Web site devoted to teaching developers about the Web and webmastery.
- 1995 - 1996 Web Integrator
- At Internet Connect Inc. planned, organized, created, maintained, and promoted Web sites.
- 1994 Sysop
- Huron Valley Free-net, one of the first free-nets to utilize the World Wide Web as an interface.
- 1989-1995 Macintosh consultant
- Software and hardware selection, Internet assistance, technical writer, database design.
- 1985-1989 CAD Engineer
- Engineering Technology Associates, Inc. an engineering consulting firm in Madison Heights, MI.
- System modeler - used finite element analysis
(FEA) to optimize the ride of automobiles.
- Structural engineer - used FEA
to design and optimize automotive components.
- Programmer - created hidden surface algorithm for ETA's finite element modeling program.
- 1984 (summer) Research Engineer Trainee
- Ford Motor Company, Impact Factors Department, Dearborn, MI. Used computer simulation of auto crashes to meet FMVSS.
- 1983 (summer) Research Assistant
- University of Michigan, Mechanical Engineering department. Structural optimization research utilizing analytical and numerical methods. Implemented these ideas into interactive structural optimization programs.
Education
- 1984 Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Specialized in design optimization; GPA 7.33 out of 8
- 1983 Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
- University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Computer Expertise
Computers: Macintosh expertise, IBM PC, Sun, Apollo, mini, mainframe, and Cray
Courses: Computer science, graphics, FEA, design optimization, sysad and UNIX
Databases: Filemaker Pro, 4th Dimension
Languages: Perl, JavaScript, Pascal, Fortran, Algol, also speak and write German
Internet: Sysop, UNIX, webmaster, consultant, HTML/Photoshop/usability expert, Web site/graphics optimization/design, information architect, writer
Publications
- WebReference
Update
- Free semi-weekly Web development newsletter with over 80000
subscribers, published continuously since 1997. Numerous book reviews, interviews, and usability reviews.
http://www.webreference.com/new/
- Advanced
CSS Layouts
- Create complex table-like layouts with CSS.
http://webreference.com/authoring/style/sheets/layout/advanced/
- Extreme
HTML Optimization
- Drastically reduce your page size to speed display and reduce bailout rate.
http://www.webreference.com/authoring/languages/html/optimize/
- Universal Related
Popup Menus
- Interdependent JavaScript-enhanced popup menus that degrade gracefully.
http://www.webreference.com/dev/menus/
- Evolution of a Home Page
-
Chronicles the development of WebReference.com's home page over time (1995-2001).
http://webreference.com/dev/evolution/
- Evolution
of RSS
-
An in-depth tutorial and history of Rich Site Summary (RSS), used for
news syndication.
http://www.webreference.com/authoring/languages/xml/rss/1/
- JavaScripting Netscape 6: No More Sloppy Code
- Shows how to adapt your JavaScript and HTML to support Netscape 6 and the DOM.
http://webreference.com/programming/javascript/netscape6/
- Introduction to RSS
- Gives an overview of RSS and its benefits.
http://www.webreference.com/authoring/languages/xml/rss/intro/
- HTML & Web Publishing
Secrets
- Contributing author to Jim Heid's 1997 book ISBN: 0764540033. Wrote "Pushing HTML" chapter.
- Optimizing Animated
GIFs
- First published in Web Techniques in June 1997 (cover story), frequently updated online.
http://www.webreference.com/dev/gifanim/
- Optimizing Web
Graphics
- First published in Web Techniques in Dec. 1996, updated
online.
http://www.webreference.com/dev/graphics/
- HTML 4 and Netscape 4: How to tame the wild Mozilla
- Shows which tags and
attributes comply with HTML 4.
- What Makes a Great Web Site?
- Outlines the essential characteristics of great Web sites.
http://www.webreference.com/greatsite.html
- MacTechnics
- Newsletter of the Ann Arbor, MI Computer Users Group
"A Tale of Two Modems" February, 1994 (modem review)
"War of the Words" December, 1994 (word processor comparison)
Awards and Credentials
Over 100 awards for WebReference.com, including 9-time winner of PC Magazine's top 100 Web sites
Passed Professional Engineering Exam Part 1: Fundamentals
James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Award for design of three-wheeled human-powered vehicle
Andrew B. King, MSME (email: andy at athenia dot net)
Revised: Jan. 27, 2003