The Appleseed Project

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Michael Chisari

Senior Web/Database Applications Developer

916 N. Calvert St. Baltimore, MD 21202

michael.chisari@gmail.com

Overview

Nine years web/database application development experience in Perl and PHP.
Ability to conceptualize, design, and develop very large web applications in PHP.
Understanding of Object Oriented principles for software design and development.
HTML structure and layout using 508 accessibility standards.
Adobe Photoshop experience for designing and modifying web and print images.
Apache and MySQL server installation and administration
Strong interest in new web technologies and user interface design.
Dedication to leveraging open source software for rapid application development.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Languages

PHP
Perl
C/C++
*NIX scripting
HTML
CSS
SQL

Recent Interests

Javascript/AJAX
XML (for use as a connecting protocol)
Java

About Me

I am an open source web application developer working on an open source social networking software called Appleseed. I am currently Appleseed's only developer. Currently, I use PHP as my main development language, however, I have recently become frustrated with the constraints that PHP has when developing large Object Oriented applications. I am currently learning Java due to it's superiority as a language as well as Sun's recent decision to open source the language. Along with computer programming, I also have strong hobby interests in scriptwriting and graphic design.

About Appleseed

http://appleseed.sourceforge.net (source code)

http://www.appleseedproject.org (testing site)

Appleseed is an open source social networking software that I have been developing for almost three years. It is designed to be distributed, allowing users on any Appleseed site (“node”) to easily communicate and interact with users on any other Appleseed site. It utilizes several cutting edge web technologies to accomplish this task.

Appleseed is written in Object Oriented PHP and uses MySQL for data storage. The project is structured to keep a proper separation between Logic, Data, and Presentation as best as possible. Small amounts of client-side Javascript is utilized, although major versions of the software are planned to move towards AJAX in order to minimize server load on each Appleseed node.

The project currently stands at approximately 60,000 lines of code, around 20,000 of which is PHP and the remaining is HTML+CSS. It encompasses 38 database tables, over 40 PHP classes, and around 690 separate files.

The system uses a distributed remote login and authentication system similar to OpenID (openid.net), which allows users to create a single login on one Appleseed node which will provide access to the whole of the Appleseed network. This is able to create a system where Identity is confirmed by a “home” node.

Appleseed also has a messaging system similar to Google's Gmail service. It utilizes labels instead of folders to allow for better categorization and searching of messages. However, unlike Gmail, which uses the standard SMTP protocol, Appleseed has implemented a version of the IM2000 (http://www.im2000.org/) protocol which use a sender-stores system to eliminate spam messages by emphasizing responsibility and accountability as a function of the transfer protocol.

Appleseed also mixes a newswire, journals, photos, messaging, friends networks, and discussion groups all in one application. Appleseed also allows for layout themes, invite codes, and very flexible security and privacy options. The project has also been designed to be as friendly to administer as possible, with most changes being made through a web back end interface.

Objective

I am looking for a part time (20-30 hours per week) consulting position while I push Appleseed towards a version 1.0 release. Given the right offer, however, I would be willing to consider a full time position. I am giving preference to telecommuting positions, although I am open to employment within the Baltimore or Washington, D.C. Area. Companies with full time employment options in the future will be given preference as well. Relocation is not currently an option.

Contact

Email (michael.chisari@gmail.com) is the preferred method for contact.