FREE: View from the Trenches – Allan Kent

Here at DMXzone we like our authors to share their knowledge with you – sure, mostly it's in depth technical stuff through the tutorials, but just occasionally it's refreshing to take a step back and get some perspective on the type of circumstances they work under. See how our code gurus earn their daily bread and what they worry about in their local market.

Today we've got our tattooed, South African residing, PHP hero Allan Kent sharing his opinions on giving the client value for money, getting ahead of the curve, and winding editors up!

DMX: How did you thank Bruce for expanding your musical universe?

AK: Well, he was on the receiving end of one of the best practical jokes I ever pulled.

I was chatting to him on MSN and it was nearing his last day at DMXZone.   I asked him for his mobile number so I could text him and keep in touch, and at that point it occurred to me of the possibilities for fun.   I told him I had flown in urgently to meet a client in London, I was in town for the rest of the day in and out of meetings, but how do I get to Birmingham, can I grab a cab?

I told him to hang on, that I was in an icafe and that I was going to phone him. Then I logged off MSN and got Gavin (my partner here at Lodestone) to MSN Bruce and ask him for his number, because I was trying to get hold of him from London, didn't have a lot of time etc. etc. At this point Bruce started planning a cost effective route for me via bus/train/whatever so that I wouldn't have to pay a huge taxi fare.

We kept him going for about half an hour, Gavin telling him I was having trouble getting to a payphone, how long does it take to get to Birmingham and such like. He was NOT amused when we finally told him (mind he was on his way out of the door to pick me up). We sent him a web cam shot of Gavin and I sitting in the office laughing.

DMX: (sweating slightly): Guess we better close it there then – thanks for the insight into your professional life. By the way can you give the readers a quick insight into life outside work?

AK: Yeah, I live in Cape Town, South Africa, and have just moved to a place on the coast.   It's a bit more of a drive to and from work, but it's got a great view and the best part is its safe for our cats, so my girlfriend can sleep at night without worrying if the cats got out.

Well it's not quite our back garden but how about this for a view to inspire the readers ...