CerebralDebris (cDebris) is a portfolio website designed, scripted, coded, and maintained by a single web-developer. All of the technology behind cDebris is hand-coded from scratch. While we see nothing wrong with pre-packaged scripts or content-management systems, the goal of cDebris is to best illustrate the web development skills of the owner, so it makes more sense to do everything manually. What follows is explanation on the workings of the site.
cDebris is hand-written in standards-compliant, validated XHTML TRANSITIONAL and makes extensive use of CASCADING STYLE SHEETS (CSS). Of primary focus in cDebris v3.0 was the total separation of the scripting layer from the presentation layer. As such, you will find no image tags whatsoever used to build the cDebris frame (they exist only for in-content items such as screenshots). cDebris makes use of the latest CSS techniques for versatility, cross-browser support, accessability, and code simplifcation. cDebris is fully accessable with all styles turned off, and visual presentation can be altered heavily with simple stylesheet swapping.
cDebris makes use of dynamic web technologies to present content efficiently and with a minimum of page loading. Examples include:
the cDebris news system is custom-built in PHP and features a full HTML interface to the MySQL backend, included adding items and editing previous ones. The archive list and archive pages are generated automatically. The most recent news is presented as a cached HTML file to minimize server usage. The cDebris news system also generates its own RSS feed.
cDebris v3.0 was constructed using the following tools:
Christopher Buecheler is a web designer. He began experimenting with computers on an Apple IIe at age eight, and at age nine received his first PC - an 8088XT with 512 KB of memory and two 360 KB, 5.25" floppy drives. These days, his machines no longer contain floppy drives at all.
Christopher began designing web pages as a hobby in 1996, and acquired his first professional work in the field at age 20, in spring 1997, working as a Tech Support specialist and Web Designer for a local ISP. This allowed him to obtain a full-time Web Design job in late 1997, which eventually led him to GameSpy Industries in March 1999. Christopher moved across the country, to Orange County California, as the twelfth member of a startup that would eventually grow to more than 120 employees.
At GameSpy, Christopher was involved in nearly every project that involved the web (which was just about every project GameSpy produced). One of the earliest employees, he was responsible for the design, development, and launch of several major projects, including the company's flagship site: GameSpy.com. As is typical in an internet startup environment, Christopher wore many hats over the course of five years. His responsibilities included: Graphic Design, Web Design, Web Development and scripting, Web Engineering, Content Management, Freelancer Management, Supervising other HTML scripters, Journalism, Editorial, and Reviewing Games. Christopher parted ways with GameSpy in March, 2004, when the company was acquired and merged with IGN Entertainment.
Since that time, Christopher has worked as a freelance game journalist, a contract web designer, a contract graphic designer, a fulltime web designer for Comcast in Philadelphia, and is now the Senior Web Designer for OkCupid, an internet dating startup located in New York City.
Christopher's Hobbies include: writing fiction, photography, 2D and 3D art and design, playing the guitar and drums, and wandering around New York or watching Iron Chef with his girlfriend. He still manages to play a few games, from time to time, as well.
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