About
I’m a dedicated web developer who enjoys solving problems and building innovative web solutions. My journey in web development started with a curiosity for how computers work and evolved into a career driven by creativity and continuous learning. In my work, I try to avoid over-analyzing and endless back-and-forths. I’m the type of person who focuses on making things work. I believe in simple and practical solutions and getting things done, rather than getting bogged down by unnecessary details.
I build robust backend systems and dynamic websites using PHP, often with Laravel because of its elegant syntax and powerful features that make development a breeze. I specialize in creating comprehensive e-commerce solutions with OpenCart, ensuring they’re efficient, scalable, and user-friendly for businesses aiming to thrive online. Although I’m not the biggest fan of WordPress, I do use it when I need to build a simple website or blog quickly.
When it comes to adding interactivity and enhancing user experiences, JavaScript is my tool of choice, and I’m exploring frameworks like React to expand my capabilities. I also use Python for scripting and automation tasks and MySQL to manage databases effectively.
For styling, CSS helps me design visually appealing web pages and Bash is essential for scripting and managing system tasks. Staying updated with a variety of technologies keeps my skills diverse and relevant.
I am currently working fulltime at a Greek company. For privacy reasons, I prefer not to disclose the company’s name. At this company, I collaborate with a talented team to deliver high-quality web solutions and improve user experiences.
Tools of Choice
- IDE / Editor: JetBrains IDEs, neovim
- Version Control: Git
- CI/CD: Jenkins
- Shell: Zsh, Bash
- Terminal Utilities: Alacritty, tmux
- Database Management: DBeaver
- Containerization: Docker
- Cloud Platform: Amazon Web Services
- Networking: OpenVPN, WireGuard
- Monitoring: Grafana
- Diagrams: Draw.io
- Documentation: Markdown
- Collaboration: Slack, Trello
- Window Manager: i3
- Operating System: Debian GNU/Linux
- Color Scheme: Gruvbox Dark Hard
- Hardware: MX Keys Mini, MX Master 3, Galaxy Buds+, Dell S2722DC
Timeline
Here is a brief timeline of my journey and milestones:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Hello world |
| 1997 | Got my first gaming console (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) |
| 1999 | Started playing with LEGO |
| 2001 | Got my first (prebuilt) computer (Intel Pentium 4, Willamette 180nm) |
| 2004 | Built various small tools utilizing Visual Basic |
| 2004 | Created my first website using HTML with Macromedia Dreamweaver |
| 2007 | Deployed my first private game server using Java |
| 2008 | Built my first custom computer (AMD Phenom X4 9600) |
| 2009 | Became the happiest kid on the block after installing M33 custom firmware on my PSP using Pandora’s battery method |
| 2010 | Started attending a vocational high school, majoring in informatics |
| 2010 | My first experience with GNU/Linux (Knoppix) |
| 2010 | Started developing several projects in diverse programming languages, either for recreational purposes or for financial gain |
| 2011 | My first experience with Android custom ROM scene (Sony Ericsson X10 Mini, CyanogenMod) |
| 2012 | Started studying in the dept. of automation engineering at ATEI of Thessaloniki |
| 2016 | Military service in Cyprus |
| 2017 | Started attending a vocational training institute, majoring in informatics |
| 2018 | Landed my first full-time web developer job position |
| 2019 | Co-launched a subscription based e-commerce support/marketplace platform |
| 2019 | Launched a web app that crawled famous Greek news websites, generated videos, and uploaded them to YouTube (robonews) |
| 2020 | Launched a subscription based, ad video creator web app (failed) |
| 2021 | Launched (as a side project) a private anonymous social network for my local area (losampeles.gr, failed) |
| 2021 | Created a custom app for my father, solving a problem that took him many hours per month (my most successful project) |
| 2021 | Started this blog |
| 2021 | Co-launched a hotel ordering platform |
| 2022 | Launched (as a side project) a cryptocurrency value calculator (coinvaluecalculator.com, failed) |
| 2023 | Started developing a new private game server (l2gold.net, currently stuck in side project hell) |
| 2023 | Started developing another side project (fstacked.com, currently stuck in side project hell) |
Beyond Coding
Outside of coding, I have a variety of passions that keep me engaged. Self-hosting is one of my key interests, I enjoy managing my own servers and experimenting with technologies. I also have a background as a PC building enthusiast, where I took great pleasure in assembling and customizing rigs, though the excitement for it has waned over time. I am involved in cryptocurrency, which allows me to stay informed about digital finance trends and explore emerging technologies. In addition to my tech pursuits, I have a small diecast car collection, always on the lookout for rare and unique models to enhance it. Gaming allows me to dive into immersive worlds and narratives, even if I play infrequently. I also explore creativity through a small LEGO collection, where constructing detailed models is a source of enjoyment. Although I haven’t been on the track recently, I remain an avid go-karting enthusiast who cherishes the thrill of racing and the joy of competitive driving. While I’m not active in it anymore, I was also deeply involved in sim racing, which offered a thrilling simulation of real-world racing experiences. Each of these interests adds a unique dimension to my life, blending technology, creativity, and excitement.
About This Site
This website is built using Gatsby.js, a powerful React-based framework that allows for fast, secure, and scalable websites. Gatsby’s modern stack and ecosystem provide a fantastic experience both for developers and users, enabling the creation of highly optimized and dynamic static sites.
Technologies Used
- Gatsby.js for static site generation
- React for building interactive user interfaces
- GraphQL for data querying
- Styled Components for styling the components
- Markdown for easy content creation and management
- GitHub & Cloudflare for seamless deployment and hosting