image

About Tschallacka

Are you curious about the person behind the name?
How he came to be where he is?
Well here is a little overview.

Kleve, Germany
github.com/tschallacka
stackoverflow.com/users/1356107/tschallacka
P
Passively Interested

Tschallacka is open to hearing about full-time, contract positions, but not actively looking.

Open to remote work

Tschallacka is open to remote work opportunities.

Not open to relocation

Technologies

Preferred technologies
Top Percentiles on Stack Overflow
Top 1%
Top 5%
Top 10%

Intro Statement

I grew up with a fascination for computers and received a free hand in all the operating systems in my youth. From Amiga OS, to the various iterations of windows, to SUSE Linux, I was allowed to do whatever I pleased with the computers I sat behind on the condition that if I break it, I'd fix it. This has eventually lead me onto an autodidactic path, with coding in various languages for whatever project I fancied. It was always my view a hobby and not a career opportunity until the last few years when I had discovered that the skills I had so far only assumed to be at hobby level were comparable to business level.

I love tackling challenges, figuring out how to couple one thing to another. Learning new ways and mastering new technologies to achieve the goal I wish to reach. I enjoy helping others and sharing knowledge freely, but not at the cost of tedious repetition. I enjoy learning and to better myself with the knowledge imparted by others.

I have no formal education in programming or computer science, but I have years of experience, and I'm looking forward to a new challenge in order to better myself in what I have a passion for.

Experience

Senior Backend Developer (Magento2 Specialist)

BigBridge B.V.

May 2021 → Current 2 Years

Primarily responsible for backend development and architecture in Magento2, handling everything from module development to API integrations and performance optimizations.

  • Implemented various custom modules for Magento2
  • Optimized website performance, caching strategies
  • Conducted code reviews and mentored junior developers
  • Developed RESTful APIs and GraphQL endpoints
  • Handled database schema and migration scripts
  • Managed external integrations such as payment gateways and ERPs
  • Improved a logging monitor
  • Worked on multistore configurations
  • Managed middleware integrations
  • Managed Akeneo
  • Optimized Aheadworks Sales Rule indexer to run from 10 minutes to 3 seconds on a reduced database
  • Implemented new page for pickup date selection in luma checkout
  • Set up docker development enviroments
  • Made a webp after page render converter, with async webp conversion and relevant varnsish cache flushes
  • Made a delivery promise module, with graphql backend with custom cache
  • Made a DPD/DHL integrated solution, that provides output for shipping cost dependent on shipping country.
  • Code reviewed website for new customers
  • Set up build processes for styling of a difficult transfer
  • Created multiple bash scripts for seamless integration with docker environments
  • Provided support for colleagues
  • Handled version upgrades and security patches
  • Worked on frontend development when required
  • Ensured compliance with coding standards and best practices

Additional responsibilities outside of coding included:

  • Consulted on architectural decisions and tech stack
  • Collaborated with project managers for sprint planning
  • Documented development processes and configurations
  • Worked closely with DevOps for server setup and maintenance
  • Assisted in evaluating new backend collegues during interviews

Full Stack Developer

Exit Reizen B.V.

Apr 2015 → May 2021 (6 years)

In this role, my responsibilities were the development of, and currently are, the maintenance and expansion of the various systems that support the back office and the front-facing website.

For the sales support application, I designed, developed and implemented a system backed by OctoberCMS to perform the following tasks:

  • Online buckaroo payment link preparation and administration
  • Custom hotel price calculator for custom contract hotels with various rules and quirks
  • Rental car price calculation app
  • Customer Relations Management system
  • Price Quotes requests management system
  • Payment and travel documents management system
  • Custom responsive newsletter sending application with an activity tracker
  • Images license management system
  • Complete website CMS that is compatible and integrated with already existing website solutions
  • Sales history system with integration in other systems
  • Geography management system
  • Google maps route development system with google routes > 8 stops
  • Various statistical insight applications
  • Various live editing systems
  • Various supportive custom form elements

For the consumer-facing websites, there were various systems already in place that didn't suit the complete needs of the company. I was called to develop from scratch newer applications without loss of the data of the already existing applications. I developed a framework to be able to fall back through the various levels of the applications to display the relevant data during the transition period to the new system. These are various tasks I completed in this process.

  • A new render system backed by OctoberCMS
  • Caching system for quick rendering for google page speed
  • Fallback templating system
  • Image srcset support system with automatic resizing
  • Image license display system
  • Complete Javascript and CSS support framework except for the standard libraries
  • Responsive display implementation
  • Cookie law implementation
  • Referral tracking system
  • Heatmap system
  • Responsive on-site advertisements
  • Interactive region map based on SVG with multiple application options
  • Tourtrips packages display system
  • Price quote request system
  • Hotel display system
  • Translations management system
  • Website Car booking module
  • Various search engines
  • Interactive filter elements
  • Top 10 lists display
  • Blogging element
  • Customer login area
  • Various redesigns of the rendering system
  • Upgrade to Node JS

In my role I also performed some other tasks besides my programming duties.

  • End user support with various it issues
  • preparing and upgrading the it hardware
  • Various server management
  • Various servers setup, install and securing operation
  • Giving co-workers severa SEO courses how to write efficient SEO texts
  • Setting up a sattelite site network and tracking system
  • Various windows domain management duties
  • Guiding and teaching trainees
  • Setting up VPN login for all colleagues for remote work

Full Stack Developer

Ortho Communications en Science B.V.

Mar 2012 → Mar 2015 (3 years, 1 month)

I began here to fix a project that an ex-intern had started but that showed various bugs. This was the main website of the company where they would run sales on. The backend management needed repairing and the front-end was also in need of repairs to become fully functional. During my time with this company, I was also performing development tasks for a partner company.

The tasks I fulfilled were challenging at times but very rewarding at other times, what follows is a summary of the most important tasks I fulfilled:

  • Repair and improve existing websites
  • Extend and improve a webshop management system
  • Design a newsletter management system that would automatically compile newsletters based on scientific abstracts
  • Design an online payment module for the webshop
  • Lead website upgrade traject from custom webshop to Magento by a third party
  • Explore and implement new cookie law terms
  • Develop Magento templates for foreign language sites
  • Develop custom Magento plugins

My responsibilities also extended to some back office support and application development

  • Exact Globe update preparation and execution
  • Custom CRM application in MS Access maintenance
  • Development of a communications system between Exact and Parcelware
  • Development of a communications system between Magento and Parcelware
  • Development of a communications system between Magento and Exact
  • Development of a custom Firefox extension
  • Training and support of programming interns

Company Owner

Dibbets Digitale Diensten

Feb 2010 → Jan 2014 (4 years)

After I had moved across the country and left behind a job in a computer repair center I started my own company, where I sold computer hardware and performed repairs for consumers, and website building and maintenance for several businesses.

One of the more challenging projects I undertook was the website for PIM online. An old website had to be upgraded with a new template with a theme designed by an external design bureau. This all had to be coded in a custom port of velocity with barely any coherent documentation. By extensively studying the existing code base I was able to implement the template with a functioning website as per commission.

When the financial crisis hit money got really tight due to the lacking of commissions to fulfill in my area. My strong point isn't sales but coding, and to be able to support my family, I halted my business and went into the job circuit to have a stable income.

It was through my own company I discovered my own potential as a coder in the job circuit and was able to get the first real measure of my capabilities compared to others.

Junior Inhouse Engineer

Service Planet Rotterdam B.V.

Jan 2006 → Dec 2009 (4 years)

In this function, I was responsible for diagnosing and repairing various consumer electronics that were sent in by large store chains like Dixons, Scheer & Foppen and others to be repaired under warranty or extended warranty.

My daily tasks included:

  • Diagnosing hardware and software problems in notebooks and desktops
  • Repair software errors
  • Repair hardware problems in notebooks and desktops
  • Telephonic support for average PC users
  • Telephonic support and troubleshoot for wireless network products

Various Short term jobs

Various Job agencies

Jul 2003 → Dec 2005

When I finished school I spent a lot of time between several short contract jobs and in Australia
Because these jobs are unrelated to my current profession I will suffice by providing this short summary.

A small summary of the various jobs

  • System Ceiling Installer
  • Bookkeeping
  • Re-packaging
  • Replacing Supermarket Manager
  • Driver's Mate
  • Night Watch man
  • Asbestos removal
  • Cash register builder
  • Caffee Machine Builder
  • Street fundraiser
  • Re-stocker
  • Painter
  • Paper cutter

Education

Bedrijfsadministratie Niveau 4 (MBO sector economie)

Graafschap College, Doetinchem

Aug 1999 → Jun 2003

This is where I discovered the magic of programming in VBA for access and Excel and coding my first few hobby sites, even though my education was in Business Administration but the resources offered gave me the chance to expand my skills further even though I never considered pursuing a career at that time because I only saw coding as a hobby.

Certifications

Leadership and Management

Scouts Australia Institute of Training, Chatswood

2004

I followed this study as part of attaining the gillwell woggle to be a leader for the local Scouting group. This was the first year where Scouting Australia was certified as a educational organisation, adding value to their inhouse training. I passed the training at all required elements, verified by an accessor.
I however, never received the diploma and certifications. After many inqueries and being stonewalled with changing excuses, it came out that the reason why they stonewalled me was, because I completed the study in Australia with a travel and work visum, and not a student visum, putting Scouting Australia in a very difficult position if they were to award me the papers, possibly losing their training certification.
I decided to let it rest at that, I do have a document from the local scout leader at the time attesting to the fact that I have passed all requirements for these certifications verified by an official certified accessor, and can happily put you in contact with her on request.

Business II

Scouts Australia Institute of Training, Chatswood

2004

I followed this study as part of attaining the gillwell woggle to be a leader for the local Scouting group. This was the first year where Scouting Australia was certified as a educational organisation, adding value to their inhouse training. I passed the training at all required elements, verified by an accessor.
I however, never received the diploma and certifications. After many inqueries and being stonewalled with changing excuses, it came out that the reason why they stonewalled me was, because I completed the study in Australia with a travel and work visum, and not a student visum, putting Scouting Australia in a very difficult position if they were to award me the papers, possibly losing their training certification.
I decided to let it rest at that, I do have a document from the local scout leader at the time attesting to the fact that I have passed all requirements for these certifications verified by an official certified accessor, and can happily put you in contact with her on request.

Open Source

0 0 0 Java

A pestilence has come upon the world. Guard your food because these beasties are coming for it

Updated:

A plugin builder for publishing to the wordpress plugin store making sure all your composer dependencies are loaded into your own namespace, thus preventing conflicts between different required dependencies.

Updated:
1 1 2 JavaScript

This is how I like to use the octobercms foundation javascript for use in october cms

Updated:

A Random class that provides predictable randomness by utilising a seed.

Updated: