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Welcome to my website!
This site introduces you to my professional skills as a database designer, focusing on database-driven websites as well as the independent architecting of a backend database.
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Resume Grab 'n Go If you're here to review and/or download a resume, take your pick:
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What IS a database?
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Hint: It's NOT a spreadsheet
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In the same way that an architect designs a structure, I take any information in record form and build the structure to access, present, and update that data online:
- Inventory
- Products
- Images
- Customers
- Transaction logs
- News articles or announcements
- Shopping Cart
- Archival records (eg, PDFs, customers' purchase history)
- Testimonials
- Event Scheduling
Simply put, a database is nothing more than an catalogued collection of stuff. So, if you want more control over your stuff, I'm your man. Whether you have five records or five million, a database gives you control over that data. A website can provide public open access or it can restrict access. It can also have some parts open (like selecting items to purchase) and other information restricted (like customer records).
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Database Design
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If You can Imagine It, I can organize it
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I offer extensive expertise in the following databases and data-supportive programs.
- SQL Server
- MySQL
- Visual FoxPro
- SSIS
SQL Server
An outstanding, professional database, SQL Server is Microsoft's relational database. It's Management Studio is well designed and integrated, offering ease and convenience. It is the principal competitor to Oracle.
SSIS
SSIS is the acronym for SQL Server Integration Services, Microsoft's outstanding ETL tool which has replaced DTS. It's now a component of .NET Studio. I love working in SSIS: it's fun, effective, reliable and resolves many data-manipulation situations inexpensively and quickly.
MySQL
MySQL is the extremely powerful and solid open-source relational database. It's probably the most widely used database on the internet, used frequently in conjunction with PHP when building database-driven websites.
Visual FoxPro
If you're running a FoxPro program and need some temporary assistance, I can help you out. Don't be ashamed of VFP: it's extremely fast and has a rich command language.
VFP's OOP component was added long, long before Microsoft added true OOP to its other developer programs. The developers of VFP were said to have been the core team that re-wrote SQL Server.
But the learning curve for VFP is high. It's not for the faint of heart.
Resume
To review my database-focused resume, click here.
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Website Development
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I never design a website until the database is defined
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The benefits of a database-driven website are myriad:
- Enjoy low maintenance costs
- Manage your site easily with no technical background
- See changes immediately
- Enter new data at YOUR convenience -- not that of the developer's or your webmaster
- Manage and review your data from anywhere you can access the Internet
- Employees appreciate consistent data entry forms and processes
I am particularly partial to building websites with PHP and MySQL. Both are open-source and carry no cost to install or license. MySQL is lean and fast with a rich array of features.
PHP stands between your database on your webhost's server and the HTML code that is ultimately presented to the user on your webiste. PHP is an extremely flexible application, querying the database and compiling the requisite HTML code to render your pages.
As a rule, I incorporate templates to facilitate website development which provides for consistency, convenience and flexibiity. It also separates the HTML code from the database queries. What this really means as a practical matter is that you can give me an HTML design -- and I can incorporate that specific layout, while integrating your data into it.
Resume
To review my website-related resume, highlighting PHP+MySql, click here.
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Administration
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A well-designed Admin section saves you money and provides immediate results
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I provide excellent, intuitive Administrative sections, password-protected, allowing you to not only control your data, but also virtually any aspect of the visual impact of your site.
As a rule, you never have to call me to load a page or make changes: you can effect many, many changes to the website by simply changing the relevant data which is held in the database -- and I provide great Admin screens to access this data.
Practically speaking, what does this actually mean for you? Here are a few of the benefits of having me build a website for you -- and the control of these don't cost you a single penny: you effect these changes yourself, at your convenience.
- Change fonts, their colors and sizes
- Control background colors
- Manage your Menu entries
- Activate and de-activate screens
- Change text of screens at your convenience
- Add unlimited text sections by virtue of our Addl Text feature
- Attach various media (pictures, video, URLs, PDFs and sound files) to your screens
- Adjust screen and website widths
I do charge, once your agreed-to design is "live", for new features you want to implement. Keep in mind that websites are constantly evolving as you become more familiar with how and what is available to better present your data.
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Contact Me
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If you have a question, I just might have the answer
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Click here if you wish to contact me about any issue -- and it doesn't have to about designing a database for you or building a website.
Thank you for visiting my site.
Seth J Hersh
New York City
March 2009
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Personal Photograph
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