Tomas Jacik

Technologies

• Programming — I have deep knowledge of PHP and Python. I have also written some code in C, C++, JavaScript and Ruby. I am well informed about unfamiliar code and I’m not afraid of legacy code. I prefer programming in Nette Framework, mostly using components from Symphony. I strive to write quality, safe and testable code.
• Servers — I mastered operating system administration based on Linux, BSD and Solaris. I can set and speed optimize the service settings of Apache, nginx, PHP and MySQL. I also administer and work with PostgreSQL. And I run my own VPS hosting using SmartOS.
• Web servers and databases — Apache, nginx, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, RabbitMQ, ElasticSearch
• Virtualization — KVM, Smart OS, Danube Cloud, Docker
• OS – Debian / Ubuntu, FreeBSD / Open BSD, Solaris
• Automatization — Ansible

What I do (including examples)

• Speed optimization
• I accelerated the loading speed of Footshop.com eshop from several dozen of seconds to hundreds of milliseconds without seriously interfering in the code by installing and optimizing new server settings. I optimized the settings of Apache, PHP and MySQL services and installed monitoring via NewRelic.
• I accelerated the loading of Skutry-levne.cz eshop from several dozen of seconds to dozens of milliseconds by rewriting key parts of the PrestaShop open source solution. I optimized SQL database queries, adjusted the indexes of MySQL tables and installed full-text search using Sphinx.
• Servers
• For my clients, I have installed Linux servers or VPS, where their applications run now. I tailor-made the configuration of services like Apache, nginx, PHP and MySQL so their applications run as fast and safe as possible.
• I continually manage some of my clients’ servers or VPS. I supervise their updating and safety. I go over logs to check whether something wrong is happening and adjust their service settings based on their actual needs.
• App development
• I programmed a complete backend, including the customer section and administration, for the website Kmv.cz. The graphics and templates were provided by the Motion.cz agency, which I have cooperated with on other projects too.
• I was one of the programmers that developed the internal business system for Seznam, the biggest Czech internet company. I have also worked on other projects for Seznam, including Sreality and Zbozi.
• I created a new customer portal for the affiliate network eHUB.cz. I also develop a new transaction tracking solution for eHUB.
• I programmed the product filters by motorcycle parameters for 2hmoto.cz eshop.
• Refactoring — I am not scared of legacy code and I’m not afraid to interfere with it. I successfully applied new designs to old eshops based on ZenCart like Moje-elektro.cz or Ventilatory.cz.
• Open source — I contribute to open-source projects and develop new libraries. I am active in the Nette community. You can see my code on Github under the nicknames sunfoxcz and foxycode.
• Communication — I am an altered introvert. Running a business taught me not to be afraid to speak with people and to solve problems once they appear. You can rely on me to actively communicate with you and inform you about all the obstacles.
• Data conversion
• I wrote the scripts for the complete transfer of several eshop databases from ZenCart-based to PrestaShop-based solutions for Comander.cz eshop and others. I created the scripts for the export of orders to the accounting system Pohoda.
• I developed a bridge for the synchronization of campaigns from MailChimp to Percolate using the API of both platforms. The bridge is programmed in Python language and runs on Google App Engine.
• What I don’t do:
• Front-end development — Although I know HTML, CSS and JavaScript, today’s front-end development is not based on these cornerstones only. It’s essential to know the differences between the browsers. To know how to make a webpage responsive. There are more competent experts for this.
• The development of new features for PrestaShop — After years of experience with this ecommerce solution, it is my opinion that in the long term, one cannot build a working business on it. Don’t get me wrong. PrestaShop is perhaps the best available opensource solution. But it has become a victim of having too many functions, trying to satisfy everyone. In the end, the code is too difficult, the architecture is wrongly projected and the development of new functions too time consuming. It is very difficult to make some bigger adjustments without breaking some part of the shop.