Last 6 mos. All-time
Feedback: none  (4.80)
1 feedbacks
Hours: 0 0
Assignments: 0 1

See all Work History & Feedback

Location:
Las Vegas, United States (GMT-08:00)
English Skills: (self-assessed)
5.0
Member Since:
February 5, 2008
Last Worked:
 
oDesk Ready:  
Yes
 
 
 
 

Zak K. - Web Developer / PHP - Ajax - Mysql & Python programmer - Freelance Consultant, United States

I have 7 years experience in Web Development, and have built data driven sites for my own business needs as well as completed work for others.  My origins are self taught, arising from my own needs during my first business while I was still in college. I am very good at PHP/MySQL or MS-SQL and have worked in both large and small companies ranging from simple quick fixes to complex applications.  Ajax is also a new technology stack I have became proficient in and understand.  I have...
Recent Work History & Feedback
Buyer ID From/To Job Title Paid Feedback
25438 02/2008 - 02/2008 PHP/MySQL Image Gallery Progam for a Jewelry Website $400 (fixed-price)
oDesk Tests Taken
Name of Test Score Percentile Date Taken Duration
AJAX Test 4.10 98% TOP 10% 02/12/2008 28 min
PHP5 Test 4.50 97% TOP 10% 07/23/2008 12 min
English Test (Sentence Structure) 4.90 97% TOP 10% 02/08/2008 8 min
oDesk Readiness Test for Independent Contractors and Company Managers 4.80 90% TOP 10% 08/09/2008 19 min
Recent Candidacies
Job Opening Title Initiated By Date
Senior PHP Developer with SQL Experience Buyer December 10, 2008
Looking for PHP programmer with Mysql Buyer November 24, 2008
Job Category Interests

Web Development

Software Development

Networking & Information Systems

Writing

Administrative Support

Audio / Video & Multimedia

 
Skills
Skill Experience Level Last Used Description
PHP & Mysql 7 yrs 5.0 2008 http://www.stationcasinos.com/
I have made multiple web applications such as a data management system, web based forms, a web ticket system, and xml driven site updates.  I have experience in both Microsoft SQL Server (MS-SQL) as well as MySQL.  

I have also expanded upon the work of others and enhanced projects using object orientated programming.   Clean coding is a standard of mine, as well as having bug free software.
Certifications
Date Earned Name Score Percentile Organization Description
2007 Cisco Certified Network Associate [CSCO10960965]     Cisco CCNA demonstrates a functional understanding of networking concepts and layers as well as the ability to configure Cisco routers and switches.  

It is also useful in programming because it helps one to understand networking and packets in greater detail for sockets based programming. 
Employment History
From To Company Title/Role Description
08/2007 Present Station Casinos Web Developer / Team Lead

Station Casinos, http://www.stationcasinos.com/ is a local casinio operation with 17 properties operating out of Las Vegas.  I was the only team member doing php programming for the live web site, as well as applications used internally within the company.

Responsibilities: 

Working on multiple projects at once with several deadlines.  
PHP development, as well as flash/actionscript.
Embedding a flash video server using Amazon Web Services
Datamanagement system using Object Orientated PHP and Zend Platform, which managed 9 different websites.

http://www.stationcasinos.com/   // made the dynamic flash banner on main page, which loads prices and images from an xml file for ease of marketing department.
http://www.texasstation.com/  http://www.boulderstation.com/  http://www.sunsetstation.com/  http://www.palacestation.com/   http://www.wwwesthotelcasino.com/   http://www.fiestarancholasvegas.com/    http://www.fiestahendersonlasvegas.com/   http://www.santafestationlasvegas.com/

^^ all of the forms and flash banners on each page that goes into a database as well as a datamanagement system for each property tied into one database.

12/2006 08/2007 Harrah's Entertainment (via Renner Brown) CMS upgrade consultant / Independent Contributor Harrah's Entertainment is the largest casino operator in the world.  I worked for this company as a consultant by Siemen's, Inc and Renner Brown, Inc.  I worked with a team of over twenty people, covering upgrades of Casino Management System (CMS).  This system tracks all of the comps and player gaming, and ties in with the Total Rewards program as well as the Lodging Management System (LMS).  Most modern casinos in the world today use both CMS and LMS.  

I also provided general technical support as needed in addition to CMS support and often worked inside the table game pits themselves, having a lot of interaction with dealers, pit boses, casino management, and guests.  It was a fast paced environment, and provided a very good learning experience and insight into the gaming industry.  
10/2002 05/2005 Bonus Six, LLC Owner / Executive Mortgage Leads generation business.  I managed affiliates as well as setup lead generation pages in PHP/MySQL, as well as a fully featured affiliates marketing and stats page.  

I handled reselling of mortgage leads as well as managed two employees.  

This was a very successful business and was done while I was still in college.
Other Experience
Edo Cultural Association Website (Joomla & Xoops)
Did website work using XOOPS and later, Joomla for a local friend in order to repay a favor.  

The website is simple and uses a content management system.  A customized module in Xoops had to be developed by myself.  The old site is down and no longer used, but I put up a mock version of a new site at ecalv.org/
Education
From To School Degree Area of Study Description
09/2000 05/2005 University of Nevada, Las Vegas Bachelors Finance Graduated Cum Laude

[+] enlarge
  • Project Title: Dynamic Flash Slideshows and Banner Ads
  • Attachment: none
  • Completed: 02/07/2008
  • Category: Web Development > Other - Web Development
  • URL: none
  • Description: Previously, the web designers at Station Casinos had to manually go into a flash file for each of the property websites, and edit the file manually to update changes from marketing.  Now, they just use one xml file to set room prices as well as change the images in a slideshow on the front of each page.  

    This project was done totally by myself using Flash Action Script 2.0.  The XML file is read for each property, and the slide show is assembled and put in random order.  Price data can also be updated (e.g. room rates for each property).  The price data can also be referenced using PHP and linking direclty to the .swf files as dynamic banner ads. 

[+] enlarge
  • Project Title: Data Management System
  • Attachment: none
  • Completed: 02/07/2008
  • Category: Web Development > Web Applications
  • URL: http://www.stationcasinos.com/
  • Description: Data Management System

    This system is a web application, content management system that ties into a database back end, allowing employees to update events/promotions/and page content through an easy to use, web based interface.  

    This system uses Zend Platform and smarty templates to provide a different design across several properties, yet allowing content to remain static when necessary.
Hourly Assignment History
Buyer ID From/To Job Title Paid Feedback
Hourly Assignment History is empty
Fixed-Price Assignment History
Buyer ID From/To Job Title Paid Feedback
25438 02/2008 - 02/2008 PHP/MySQL Image Gallery Progam for a Jewelry Website $400
oDesk Tests Taken
Name of Test Score Percentile Date Taken Duration
AJAX Test 4.10 98% TOP 10% 02/12/2008 28 min
PHP5 Test 4.50 97% TOP 10% 07/23/2008 12 min
English Test (Sentence Structure) 4.90 97% TOP 10% 02/08/2008 8 min
oDesk Readiness Test for Independent Contractors and Company Managers 4.80 90% TOP 10% 08/09/2008 19 min