My first programming language was Python, which I learned in 2005. My first programming job was as a college student doing mostly web development in PHP for my alma mater in 2011. During my first job I wrote a command-line utility as my first Java project. It ended up being the most stable and low-maintenance project I've ever worked on, which was when I knew it wouldn't be my last Java project. It was more work than Python up front, but somehow everything "clicked" for me.

In 2018 I decided to get back into full-time programming and was open to basically anything available, and a local Java developer recruited me into the consulting firm he was working at.

Since then, it's been full-time Java and Spring/Spring Boot with all my employers for the majority of my projects. Spring is fine if you can follow the defaults, but becomes a configuration nightmare if you have a custom setup. And all my employers needed a custom setup!!! :cry:

I'm connected with the Chicago Java Users Group (CJUG) and revamped their website template and their deployment workflow this year to make it more maintainable for a team of good folks with demanding day jobs that (by necessity) do a lot of things sporadically (and usually at the last minute).

I have been itching for a far simpler, far lower-maintenance Java framework for web development, which led me to RIFE2.

Currently building my first startup idea on RIFE2 and seeing how it goes.

I'm also interested in analog synths as a hobby and currently own five hardware synths by Moog, along some Moog software, which makes the intersection with @gbevin, Moog, and RIFE2 serendipitous. Someday I want to do a live set performance with my setup. Just so happens I live near both Ravinia and Lolapalooza, so... :wink:

Also interested in 3D printing once I save up enough for the right printer and materials.

Glad to be here, and hope I can make some fun contributions both here and on GitHub, especially with RIFE2 and BLD over time.