Michael A. Alderete builds web-based applications to meet specific client requirements not addressed by off-the-shelf software systems. His focus is on clear, simple interfaces and on understanding the customer requirements through the eyes of actual users, not programmers. This allows him to create screens and workflows that are streamlined and productive, instead of frustrating. He also does a fair amount of WordPress customization for clients with more content-focused needs.
Michael has been working with the web since 1994, and programming on the web since 1995. From simple CGI scripts in AppleScript, Frontier, and Perl, he quickly became interested in web applications backed by databases, starting with FileMaker, Sybase, and today MySQL. He primarily programs in Ruby on Rails, PHP5, and FileMaker 7/8/9. (When pressed, he’ll admit to having coded in Java, JavaScript, Perl, ColdFusion, and Visual Basic, but these are not specialties.)
In addition to programming and user interface design, Michael has a decade of product design and marketing experience, and nearly 20 years of writing technical explanations for non-technical audiences.
Skills: Web programming in Rails, PHP, MySQL, and FileMaker. User interface design. Technical writing.
Education: BA, Sociology. MS, Software Engineering (in progress).
Contact Aldosoft
To start a conversation about a potential engagement, the best first step is to send us an email with a short description of your project, and your phone number. We'll get back to you as quickly as possible, generally the same day.
Aldosoft believes all projects are different, and that a one-size-fits-all methodology is either too rigid or too vague to be useful. Instead we have two principles that guide us in developing a project plan for any given effort.
Information Design Is Fundamental
For any project the most important aspect is organizing the content or functionality into a well-designed, intuitive, complete collection of information or features. If this hasn’t been done before Aldosoft starts a project, it will surely be the first thing we do.
Get Something Working, Fast
Some hidden requirements, unguessed features, or necessary information will only be expressed or understood once the client can sit in front of a computer and use what is being developed.
For that reason we build out a prototype of the finished project as soon as we possibly can, and add all new elements to the prototype as they are completed (we’ve built special tools that make this easy to do). This ensures early and frequent client interaction with the project.
Portfolio
Aldosoft has done work for a number of small- and medium-sized organizations. While we can’t list every project we’ve participated in, here are a few:
Gracewood Design is a portfolio and e-commerce site for a small San Francisco studio making floorcloths and providing custom stenciling services.
The web site was built on top of the WordPress content management system, with e-commerce catalog design, custom plug-ins, and additional PHP code by Aldosoft. Logo and graphic design by Andrew Galli.
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Catalog Series
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Routes of Judaism is a web application which allows students to submit and publish personal or family stories, tying them to historical periods and events.
Aldosoft was engaged by Amalgamated Industries to build the back end of the system, which is PHP interfaced to a MySQL database. The system, while fully functional and in use by a private school, is a prototype, built as part of a grant proposal to create an even more sophisticated system.
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Create Period
The Angst-O-Meter is a web application which measures Global Angst by aggregating together individual users’ angst. Aldosoft built the site as an amusement.
The Angst-O-Meter was built using HTML, PHP, PHPLIB, and the MySQL database to record users’ data and preferences. It is a project that Aldosoft worked on from start to finish, including all feature and functionality design, visual design, data model, and HTML, PHP, and SQL coding.
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Aldosoft Services
Aldosoft builds web sites and web applications from the ground up, using robust and reliable open-source software, including FreeBSD, Apache, PHP, and database software such as MySQL or PostgreSQL.
While we are not a graphic design firm, we work with a number of accomplished designers to provide experienced, high-quality visual design services.
Welcome to Aldosoft!
Aldosoft builds websites and web applications from the ground up, using robust and reliable open-source software, including FreeBSD, Apache, PHP, and database software such as MySQL or PostgreSQL.
