Interview with:Karen Baker [webshopapps]
INTERNET
 | What is your specialty in the interactive world? I run the company webshopapps.com which specialises in Magento Shipping extensions. We have a massive portfolio of extensions and are the #1 players in this space. |
| What was your first job in the field? My first job was writing test software in the military space. Pretty good grounding for e-commerce i reckon! |
| What is your professional background? What did you do before? I started out in military messaging and command/control systems for the MoD in the UK. Then I moved into financial software and worked on the development of the largest foreign exchange software in the world. I moved into magento back in 2008. |
| What is the secret to keeping customer expectations under control in interactive development? Be honest about what you can achieve and by when. Try to ensure that the 80/20 rule applies, sometimes that extra 20% can really hurt the budget and timescales, is it really required? |
| What was your first computer, and which is your current? A BBC Micro. |
| What were you doing in March 2000, at the height of the "dotcom bubble"? I was the technical lead on a Command and Control Military solution. I was in charge of the military messaging, so if the email to the sub saying "push the button" didnt get through this was probably my fault! |
| In the current interactive world, what is the most relevant trend? I think for the home PC's as they are today will disappear. iPads and internet via TV is the way forwards. |
| What would you do to terminate Internet spam once and for all? You won't. Live with it. |
| Will bandwidth one day cease to be a limitation? Isnt it already? |
PROGRAMMING
| How did you begin programming and at what age? My parents bought myself and my brother a computer for christmas when I was 9. I was immediately addicted. |
| What languages do you code, and in what platforms? Currently I'm working mainly in the PHP space with Windows/Linux.
I'm pretty flexible though, my background is in Java, C#, C++. |
| What machine configuration and operating system do you use? I run several computers in/out of office incl:
64-bit I5 Windows PC
Mac Book Pro
iMac |
| Please list web addresses where we can see some of your work |
| What part of project development is most gratifying to you? When the customer is happy and the code works. Nothing beats that. |
| From the outside, it seems a rational job, but is creativity necessary for programming? Depends what role you have. For me running my own business and being an entrepreneur then without creativity I have nothing. |
| What conditions do you need to concentrate when programming? Quiet. Music. No stress. |
| After working for long periods of time, have you ever felt as though you were in a bubble? I spend my life in a bubble. |
| When you check out code you wrote time ago, what's the main difference with respect to code that you write nowadays? 15 years of programming professionally, whenever I view code I can see ways to re-factor. You have to be aware that potentially by refactoring you can introduce bugs though, so resist the urge if it's just aesthetic. |
| Do you still buy programming books, or do you learn everything from online sources? Buy all the time. Not sure I get time to read them though! |
| Do you think programming should be taught at the basic education level? No. Not all people have a logical mind, plus nowadays within IT programming is just a very small part. I see mashups as being more of the way of the future, using building blocks rather than programming per-se. |
| What has been your experience in marketing your software? I set up webshopapps from scratch in 2008/2009. 17000+ downloads of my free extension later we are still up and running. |
| What would be your solution against piracy? ISPs should not host pirate sites. You will never stop it. You have to give customers a reason for buying from you & getting added value over just a piece of code. |
| Would you consider yourself rigorous in the organization of the coding that you write and on commenting it? Depends on who I am writing for and whether or not I need to protect that code. Generally yes absolutely. |
| What are your favourite games and on what platform do you play them? I like shoot-em-ups and the old classic arcade games. iPad games tend to be what I most do when find time. |
| How do you feel when friends or family ask for your help in solving domestic computer problems? I don't mind helping as I realise they are stupid (only joking!). |
| As machines for development, what opinion do Macs deserve? They are faster than PC's generally, certainly for what I do. I think there is a big learning curve to go from Windows to Mac. Plus there seems to be more need to drop down to the shell to do things, this takes a bit of getting used to. I think there are some holes in terms of tools, e.g. the finder is troublesome for me, and lack of tortoise svn a pain. |
| How do you protect your computer from viruses? virus software - we use a free version. |
| In social settings, do people become interested when you tell them you are a software developer? No, it's not a great party conversation. |
| Do you work alone or in a team? Which do you prefer? Both. I like both under different scenarios. |
| What is your main reason for not meeting project deadlines? Being pulled in different directions. |
| At this point in your career, what would be the project of your dreams? In my ideal world I'd like to be really geeky and work on some cutting edge stuff in a small startup with really really intelligent guys. But in reality I think I have a pretty good job right now & I'm not 21 anymore! |
| What is your next project? I'm always thinking.... |
| Which websites or forums for programmers do you frequently visit? None regularly. I tend to dip in and out as I need information. |
| What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a programmer? Make sure you really enjoy it as you will be constantly learning - without passion you may as well do something else. |
PERSONALITY
| If you were sent to a deserted island, which book, CD and film would you take with you? Book - London probably - it's a long read
CD - One from the Modern - Ocean Colour Scene
Film - Conspiracy Theory |
| In moments of tension, what techniques work in calming the mind? Alcohol. |
| A simple pleasure that for you is quite big or important. Talking to the kids, they are hilarious. |
| It is 5 pm on a typical Sunday: what are you doing? 2010 - Working
2011 - Playing with my 4 & 6 year old hopefully! |
| Something in which you are completely incompetent. Chess. I'm too impatient. |
| You have nine wins in a row in a game of roulette: do you continue because you are on a good run, or abandon the game because statistically, it is your turn to lose? Abandon. |
| What toy gave you the best moments of your childhood? Hanging around with my friend Vincent next door. |
| How did you meet your current boy/girlfriend? In a nightclub. It was a bet. We have been married over 14 years. |
| What was your first vehicle? VW Beetle 1300 Yellow 1972. It was a cool time! |
| Your New Year resolutions. Spend more time with the family. |
| Is there any superstition that makes you change your behaviour? Lots, I'm very superstitious which rationally is crazy. |
| Please list something you have not yet done, but that you would definitely like to do someday. I'd like to buy a brand new Mercedes cash. I'd wear really scruffy clothes to go test drive it. |
| To which other place in the world would you move without hesitation? I'm happy here at the moment. |
| A word or expression that you love. You only live once. |
| A word or expression that you detest. Whatever |
| Which animal do you prefer for company? A dog. Always. |
| What do you imagine yourself doing for your retirement? I'm going to buy a motorhome in America and travel around. Then goto Australia and do the same. Then when I can't walk well I'll go on one of those cruise ships for a while. Once bored of travelling I'd like to get a PhD if the mind is upto it still.
Once I'm completely zimmered I'll sit at home with a good sea view and just think. |
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759 visits Whohub
Karen Baker
London-UK
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95745 interviews created
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