AZ Web Developer

Arizona Web Developer

I (Drew Ewing) am an Arizona web developer, commonly known as the Arizona PHP Guru. I write websites using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and MySQL mostly, but have been known to use other languages and technologies. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, I got started with web development by writing my first HTML & CSS webpage at the age of 11. This page was for a massively multiplayer game I played on the internet at the time. From here I continually advanced my knowledge and technique. I began making websites for other games, and eventually came to the question of how to make my websites think.

The first PHP website I wrote was a sort of portal for my online games, and was called SpielHimmel.com (Game Heaven in German). This site had registration, log in, and top score scripts, and mutated into a series of similar sites of other names.

I moved to Arizona at the age of 15, and began developing my craft for the professional stage. I first worked for a graphics shop, developing, printing, and cutting image designs for posters and stickers. After a few months I began looking work as a serious web developer. My first Arizona web development position was for a search engine optimization and search engine marketing company. For this company I wrote scripts to automatically rate content and keyword density, and help dial in SEO content strategy. After a few months my youth got the best of me, and I had a small dispute with another young developer that resulted in my leaving the company.

After the Arizona SEO company I left and after seeking a Phoenix LAMP developer position, I began working for an adult entertainment company, also located in Arizona. For this company I wrote advanced stats reporting, that would take view, click, and browse length into account and identify trending images, pages, and topics across a network of many adult sites. I also managed a LAMP stack. After issues with payment I had to quit this position.

After the adult entertainment industry, I thought the only logical decision was the medical field, so I took a position with an online pharmacy. For the pharmacy I developed LAMP powered AJAX-based one-page-checkout, API integration with PayPal, eWay, Quantum Gateway, FedEx, DHL, and more. This position is where I developed my PHP API specialization.

After a year or so the project sold on the top level and I was let go. I started seeking out other PHP eCommerce development positions in Arizona. I soon found a major shopping cart software company located in downtown Phoenix. While working for the eCommerce company I developed API changes, external tools for automated install and import, and found and repaired a few minor bugs. I also became a father while working with this company.

After being let go from the eCommerce company I went back to work on personal projects such as AZ PHP Guru, and projects for the Arizona SEM and SEO company I had worked years before. I worked developing a link exchange program with AJAX. The system allowed you to configure websites, keywords, categories, and links to be displayed on other sites. Site owners or representatives can select different categories, and then select links from these categories to display on their website. The system also automatically assembled a zip file that contained scripts to connect to the API based on the individual company's access information. I also developed a lead tracking system using Zend Framework and Dojo. The Zend Framework lead tracking software allowed multiple administrators, franchisers, franchisees, and clients to all use the system simultaneously. Administrators or franchisers can create form elements, franchisees can select between the available forms to display on their website, and administrators can define routing rules to determine where the lead is forwarded.

I am currently employed with an Arizona Web Development firm called Imaginary Trout. I write Wordpress plugins, Drupal modules, Zend Framework sites, and more. I also continue to develop SEO and SEM tools.