Bio
Ethan Miller has been working professionally with web technology since 1999. Coming from an arts background, he approached this field with a huge amount of curiosity and a strong desire to develop his skill set. He sustains his interest in the field as a result of parallel interests in Open Source Software, Creative Commons, Media Arts, and a general interest in the way technology and human cultures are intertwined.
Contact : e@ethanmiller.name
Skills Summary
Programming/Scripting Languages: Python, PHP, Javascript, ActionScript, CSS, Java, SQL
Packages/Libraries/API's: Django, Wordpress, Drupal, JQuery, S3/EC2, Flickr API, Delicious API, Apache
Development Techniques/Patterns/Practices: Ajax, REST, source control / versioning, CSS based design, graceful degradation, web security
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows
Professional Experience
Energy Solutions, Oakland CA
Software Projects Manager
Montalvo Arts Center, Saratoga, CA
Online Media Manager
- Developed main (Django based) website for the organization.
- Contributed back to Django community (bug reports, patches, forum help)
- Wrote integration code to keep static media in Amazon S3 storage
- Maintained Linux based server and automated database backup
- Developed new modules as organizational needs arose
- Ensured that site was W3C compliant, and offered modern data formats (RSS, Microformats, ICS event data)
- Monitored site performance and development through Google Webmaster Tools and Google Analytics.
- Maintained multiple websites, some based on the same Django platform, others using open source packages (Wordpress, Drupal, PHPList, etc.)
- Worked collaboratively with graphic designer to develop a functional and visually appealing web presence.
- Worked with other members of the marketing team to promote events through social networks, and make use of other 3rd party tools (Facebook, Ning, Google Apps, etc.)
SJSU, College of Business, San Jose, CA
Webmaster
- Redesigned College website, creating a standardized, modern design and consistent navigation
- Attended 503 compliance workshops, ensured compliance for College website, as well as w3c compliance
- Maintained a Linux based server for College graduate studies program. Installed, customized and extended Drupal to manage site
Dream Community, Taipei, Taiwan
Freelance Web Developer
- Redesigned website for Taiwanese Art Center, creating a minimal, flat-file, PHP based content management system
- Worked collaboratively with graphic designer to produce the web interface and navigation
Agris, Lathrop, CA
Web Developer
- Worked with small team of developers creating custom web based software for the agricultural industry
- Developed skills through a wide range of technologies: HTML, Javascript, ASP, and C# .NET
- Produced graphics and layouts for web and print marketing materials
Selected Exhibitions and Awards
Urban Observatory Visualization, with Bruce Gardner
Circle of Palms, ZERO1 - San Jose, CA
Supported by : ZERO1 for the 2nd Biennial 01SJ Global Festival of Art on the Edge with the support of the James L. Irvine Foundation. Additional support provided by Montalvo Arts Center.
- Developed interactive installation using four linux based computers and four projectors running a geographic visualization
- Wrote Python (Twisted) based code to keep processes on four computers coordinated
- Wrote code to work with the Panoramio API for grabbing images based on latitude/longitude
Netbody
Intitute of Contemporary Art, LiftOff - San Jose, CA
- Developed project based on Python/PyCairo and several public API's (Flickr, Technorati, Delicious, and YouTube)
- Rendered project within an EC2 instance, and later compiled a film of the results
- Kept a log file during rendering, which was used later (with Processing) to generate the audio track for the visualization
SxSW Visualization
- Designed and created data visualization using XML file for data
- Wrote visualization with Processing
Collaborative Projects and Exhibitions
Tantalum Memorial, with Harwood, Wright, Yokokoji
San Jose Museum of Art, 01SJ Biennale: Superlight - San Jose CA
- Wrote perl scripts for extracting phone number and timing data from a MySQL database, then sending the numbers through the modem to activate the strowger switches, and displaying the activity on a terminal screen
- Automated the display computer start-up, script launch, and shutdown
- Collaborated with team members in London, and San Jose to automate retrieval of database updates on a nightly basis
- View installation photos at the San Jose Museum of Art
Tool Shed Days, with Red76
San Jose Museum of Art, 01SJ Biennale: Superlight - San Jose CA
- Developed Welcome to Second Home project website
- Installed and customized Wordpress instance for Welcome to Second Home Printshop
- Wrote integration code for delicious.com, blip.tv, and Yahoo Pipes to produce the Welcome to Second Home Archive
- Wrote Javascript and CSS for SecondHome website following aesthetic of Red76 projects
On Translation : Social Networks, with Antoni Muntadas
San Jose Convention Center, 01SJ - San Jose CA
Laboral Centro de Arte, Feedback - Gijon, Spain
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Maquinas y Almas - Madrid, Spain
- Coordinated development process between small group of students, and the artist in residence
- Oversaw code development for the visualization (written in PyGame), and developed server side code for data collection and storage (based on PostgreSQL, Django, Google API)
- Managed timelines and coordinated efforts between contractors (English and Spanish speaking) for the physical installation
- Installed the project in three venues, automated display computer for start-up/shut-down and retrieval of data from the server
Education
CADRE Laboratory for New Media, San Jose State University - San Jose, CA
MFA Digital Media
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art - Philadelphia, PA
Post-Baccalaureate Studies
San Jose State University - San Jose, CA
BA Studio Art