Meetups
Intro to Linux

An introduction to Linux with an overview of popular distributions.
I also explain the basics of using the Bash Shell/Terminal and editors Nano & VIM.

Presented:

SVG in Web Development

Implementing SVG in web development to enhance responsiveness and performance of your application.

Presented:

JSON Data Type in Relational Databases

Why and how to use JSON data type in a relational database such as PostgreSQL or MySQL.

Presented:

  • Co-presenter with: Bryan Jones
    1. STLFullStack - January 2019
Getting started with Vagrant

Get started setting up reproducible development environments using HashiCorp Vagrant including a basic and multi-machine configuration.

Presented:

Automated Testing using Selenium

Demonstration of automated tests using Selenium server with Codeception and Mocha.

Presented:

Basic 3D Design (with SketchUp)

Basic concepts of 3D design with SketchUp 2017

Presented:

Intro to Raspberry Pi

An introduction to the Raspberry Pi platform with an overview of both the hardware and software.
A demo of reading/writing to/from the GPIO pins in Python 3 with the necessary hardware layout.

Presented:

Bootcamp
Express.js/MongoDB REST API Curriculum

Wrote the curriculum and instructed the students on how to build a REST API using Node, Express and MongoDB/MongoDB Atlas. The API utilizes all 4 CRUD operations and introduction into relationship data modeling. Implements the integration between the single page application and the REST API using Axios.

Presented:

Interview Whiteboard Exercise

Wrote the curriculum and instructed an exercise to give students their initial experience in whiteboard coding during the interview process.

Presented:

Node.js Express API Curriculum

Instructed the walk-though of creating a RESTful API using Node.js and Express.

This unit was succeeded by the Express.js/MongoDB REST API Curriculum

Presented:

Step Debugging JavaScript

Wrote the curriculum and instructed the introduction of step debugging in JavaScript including configuration of VS Code for both pure JavaScript and Parcel.js workflows.

This unit is still taught by another instructor to current cohorts using this curriculum.

Presented:

Basic UI/UX Design & Kanban Board Creation

Wrote the curriculum and instructed the basic UI/UX design for junior JavaScript developers and basic kanban board creation using Trello.com related to the completion of the Savvy Coders Bootcamp Capstone project.

This unit is still taught by another instructor to current cohorts using this curriculum.

Presented:

Basic (Capstone) Project Planning

Wrote the curriculum and instructed basic project planning for junior JavaScript developers related to the completion of the Savvy Coders Bootcamp Capstone project.

This unit is still taught by another instructor to current cohorts using this curriculum.

Presented:

Technology Projects
where.matsinet.codes

My web presence where I share presentations, projects and my experience.

Black Bear Haversack

E-commerce presence implemented and maintained using Magento Open Source Edition.

In cooperation with the owner, we have migrated this web presence from OSCommerce to Magento 1 and Magento 2.

Pawns & Palisades

A personal project that I use to experiment with different technologies including jQuery and Vue.js.

Garage Door Controller

A personal project that started my home automation system allowing the family to control and monitor the doors in the garage.

Technologies used include Adafruit HUZZAH ESP8266, Ardruino IDE, Home-Assistant.io & personally designed 3D printed case.

Fullstackers.io

A collaborative effort to create a web presence for STL meetups to share their resources with the community.
My primary responsibility has been creating the front-end using Vue.js.

RustNRoll Garage

A very basic web presence for our house based restoration/restomod shop.
Self-hosted on Ubuntu and Apache using virtual hosts

Tomorrows Treasures

E-commerce presence implemented using Magento Open Source Edition.
Self-hosted

RnR Shop Manager mongodb icon

Application to manage work orders and projects for a automotive maintenance and restoration shop using the MEAN stack.
Self-hosted

Automotive Projects
1977 Ford F-250 Rebuild

We have rebuilt my son's Great Grandfather's 1977 Ford F-250 that had sat in the family barn for 16 years.

Project include but no limited to:
  • Rebuilt the original 351M
  • Rebuilt the brake system including disk brake conversation
  • Rebuilding hydraulic dump bed system
1978 Ford Bronco Ranger XLT

We are restomodding my youngest son's 1978 Ford Bronco purchased to be his high school daily driver.
We have replaced the tailgate making the window functional.
Our current plans are to correct suspension and engine issues and replacing the quarter panels.
Future plans include painting and redoing the fiberglass shell.

1975 Ford F-350 Crew Cab Dually

We were in need of a second tow vehicle and the desire to have a classic crew cab Ford truck, we purchased the 1975 F350.

1953 Ford F-600

This truck is a true barn find off of farm here in southern Illinois. We are in the process of determining if it runs and whether we will be rebuilding it or flipping it.

Rat Rod Radio Flyer Wagon

We often attend swap meets and needed something to "haul" parts that are purchased.
What better than a Radio Flyer wagon that has been personalized.
Lowered by creating a new frame with control arm & tie rod steering and accessories
The fabication was completed in a fashion that would allow the original wagon to be reassembled only replacing the hardware.

1951 Dodge Pilot House Express Truck (B-2-D)

Rebuilding a "survivor" that was purchased at auction. This truck is replacing the truck I had and lost during my teen years.
Initial troubleshooting was done and it was determined that a full engine rebuild and possible chassis replacement was required.
As the project would require more resources than currently available, the truck was put up for sale and has been sold for a profit.

Matt Thomas (matsinet)

Biography


Dad and Developer with over two decades of various experience in web development & hosting, CAD/CAM development and system administration. Plus a few years experience restoring classic cars and trucks.

My server side experience has been in the LAMP Stack, especially with MVC frameworks Laravel, Zend 2, Yii Framework, CakePHP.

My frontend experience has been in Angular 5+, CSS 3, HTML 5, jQuery and Bootstrap

I have been building additional personal projects with Angular 10, jQuery, Vue.js, Semantic UI CSS framework, Node.js (Express) & Python (Flask).

I am involved with Savvy Coders Boot Camp as a Advisory Board Member, Full Stack Web Development Curriculum Writer, Instructor, Mentor, Mock Interviewer.

On the weekends, I am likely to be found in the garage wrenching on classic cars and trucks or building projects in the garage with my sons & friends.

Work Experience


Paramount : Contract Senior Software Engineer

Develop services using Javascript and PHP to support the international Paramount+ streaming service.

Vue.js PHP HTML CSS/SCSS Jira GitHub Agile Mac OS Jenkins


Savvy Coders Bootcamp : Instructor/Curriculum Lead

Instructor for Node/Express/MongoDB and Whiteboard Interview Skills portions of the cohort
Continuously improve the core curriculum in collaboration with leadership, instructors and TAs. Mentor the students with their course work and capstone projects.
Provide guidance to the overall program with real world feedback.
Previously wrote and instructed project planning, UI/UX, JavaScript Step Debugging portions of the curriculum

Single Page Application Javascript Markdown HTML CSS/SCSS Git/GitHub Node.js/Express REST API Heroku Agile VS Code Netlify Debugging/Troubleshooting Parcel (Bundler) Navigo (Routing) Insomnia REST Client


Bayer Crop Science : Contract Developer (Full Stack) Senior

Developed and supported the customer platform (c7) including microservices and lambdas using Vue.js and Node.js/Express
Utilized AWS platform resources including S3, DynamoDB, Cloudwatch and Lambdas

Node.js/Express Vue.js HTML CSS/SCSS Jira GitHub Agile Mac OS AWS (S3, DynamoDB and Lambdas) Microsoft Azure Jenkins Postman/Insomnia


NEC Energy Solutions : Principal System Engineer : UI

Developed a monitoring & control system for grid based energy storage systems including dashboard & mapping interface using Angular (4-current) to interacting with a REST API
Managed the all project and technical aspects of the UI team, including peer reviews and coordinating offshore contractors
Worked with the business owners and other development groups to establish architectural roadmap and requirements
Coordinated with the API team to implement the API routes to support the UI requirements
Coordinated development efforts with offshore contractors to ensure production expectations and quality
Coordinated with other development groups as needed to increase understanding and velocity where required
Created mockups and requirements for both internal and offshore implementation
Maintained Linux Mint development virtual machine using VMWare workstation
Managed GitLab server including user/group accounts and UI project repositories

Awarded the Edison Awards 2020 Bronze Award for Annunciator application.

Angular 4+ HTML CSS/SCSS Jira GitLab/SVN Linux Mint VMWare Workstation UX/UI/Mock-ups MariaDB REST API Jenkins SVG


Tacony Corporation : Contract Software Engineer

Implemented enterprise backend for numerous web presences using Laravel.
Maintained and updated Magento 1 e-commerce website.

Laravel Vagrant Git PHP JavaScript HTML CSS/SCSS Magento 1 Linux MariaDB REST API


Centric Group/TKC Holdings : Contract Software Engineer

Worked to improve and support an ecommerce platform using Zend 2 include MVC, jQuery, MySQL.
Development was accomplished on Windows workstations with the rest of the stack being Linux.

PHP Zend 2 Codeception Selenium Git Agile jQuery/jQuery UI HTML CSS/SCSS Linux MySQL


AgriSolutions/Family Farms : Lead Software Developer

Implement agricultural operations management applications for using Yii MVC Framework including a REST API for mobile application interface.
Design database tables (PostgreSQL) to support implementation of PHP web interface
Implemented and maintained product deployment processed using version control system (GitHub)
Implemented and maintained Linux, Apache, PostgreSQL, PHP (LAPP) development environment
Develop and maintain release process and documentation

PHP Yii Framework HTML CSS/SCSS jQuery Linux REST API Github Apache PostgreSQL


Charter Communications : Software Developer II

Developed and maintained Modem Reclamation application to reduce warehousing process via- a web portal for DVR, cable modem and phone modem devices using PHP, CakePHP MVC Framework and jQuery
Configure and develop content for the PerfTech in-browser message system using HTML, CSS and Javascript
Design and implement role bases access control using Ruby on Rails and internally developed PERL enterprise service bus
Design and manage the development process for near real time billing (CSG) to provisioning integration (Sigma Systems)
Manage the administrative task around team training including budgeting, approval, enrollment

Awarded the Quarterly and Annual Charter Champions Award for the Modem Reclamation application.

PHP CakePHP Git/SVN jQuery HTML CSS/SCSS Ruby on Rails Linux VSphere MySQL Apache


Canis Consulting : Owner/Developer/System Admin

Provided web hosting on multiple Linux & Windows servers using IIS 6, Apache, MySQL, Xmail Server, Kerio MailServer, FileZilla FTP, PureFTP and CPanel
Developed web sites for clients using PHP, Postnuke, OSCommerce, Magento and ASP
Developed database solutions using Microsoft Access and Microsoft SQL Server
Provided training on Computer Basics and Microsoft Office Products
Performed general PC troubleshooting and repairs including PC migration, OS installation
Performed server installation, migration and troubleshooting on Windows NT 4.0 & Windows 2003

PHP Yii Framework JavaScript Ubuntu HTML CSS MySQL Git Apache Magento Python CakePHP Raspberry Pi ESP8266 Arduino C

Community Involvement


Meetups


STLFullStack : Co-Organizer/Presenter

Learning how to create full-stack, scalable internet applications, from the database all the way to front-end user interfaces.

Introduction to Linux : 09/2020 SVG in Web Development : 03/2020 JSON Data Type in Relational Databases : 01/2019 Full Stack Wire-Up (Initial Design) : 02/2018 Getting started with Vagrant : 11/2017 Automated Testing using Selenium : 06/2017


Savvy Coders Connect: Presenter

Our group connects IT software development professional in the St. Louis area. We will be inspired by our Savvy Coders graduates and we will provide education for our grads who seek more!

Introduction to Linux : 07/2020 Step Debugging JavaScript : 09/2019


jSTL: Co-Organizer

If it's JavaScript, we'll talk about it, be it front end, back end, or on robots. We're an open discussion forum for JavaScript frameworks and technologies!


Build.STL : Co-Organizer/Presenter

Build.STL is a group to encourage making your own electronics. Whether you're an experienced hardware hacker or an interested beginner.

Basic 3D Design (with SketchUp) : 01/2017 Intro to Raspberry Pi : 08/2016


Career Development


1977 Ford F250 Rebuild

My son's Ford F-250