Welcome to the website of Justin Francis. This site is designed to allow visitors to find out more about me, my interests and projects I am working on. I live in Montreal, Quebec, where good software, good music and good beer take priority over everything except my fantastic girlfriend Dalia Kachef.
I have been working as a software developer at Pivotal Payments with a small team (less than 10 people) of python devotees since 2005 where we strive to reliably build high-quality deliveries in a good-humoured environment governed by consensus. I enjoy playing, recording and listening to ska, reggae, punk and folk music. Every year I try to get away to do some sailing and have recently purchased Steady Beat, a 1977 Chung Hwa Magellan Ketch. Finally, I am very passionate about how we should organize ourselves as a society, as any person who does not live on a deserted island should be.
Software Projects
WODFS is a new kind of file system storing data based on similarity resulting in embedded compression, versioning, and sharing.
Trac is a wiki and issue tracking opensource project I contribute to that is geared towards software development. I also maintain a WantedPages plugin for that project.
proTask is an electronic task list allowing categorizing, searching and sharing of tasks among many users written as a Java webapp.
JOMP is a compiler and assembler written in C++ that compiles a basic fictitious language written for an academic project.
Scrummy is a game formed by combining Rummy and Scrabble. It was built in C++ using SDL for graphics. Download it for linux, windows, or source.
More projects can be viewed by browsing my personal code repository.
Requisite Training
I graduated from Concordia University in 2006 with a degree in Software Engineering. Surprisingly, given my attitude towards formal education, I managed to receive recognition in 2004 and 2005. The degree contained courses in Distributed Systems, Network Programming, Software Process, Architecture and Design, Requirements and Quality Control, among others. It also includes a number of project courses, of which I maintain a record.
Former Employment
From March 2004 to May 2004 I completed a small contract for Paysystems.com. It was similar to my earlier work. I was commissioned to develop a complete affiliate sales tracking system requiring a database design, user interface design, requirements analysis and back-end functionality.
From June 2002 to June 2003 I was working as a Web Developer with Paysystems.com. I was responsible for most PHP development of new e-commerce applications. I also led a small team (2-5 people) in this effort for half of my time at the company. When I initially began work there, it was a small company and incidental skills were required such as ASP, SQL, database design, server administration and source control which I also provided.
Music and Sailing
I have played guitar since I was young, and have proficiency in other instruments including voice, bass and drums. Since I first stepped aboard a 16-foot Laser at the age of 10, I have been a sailor. I have been sailing dinghies since that Laser, and currently sail keelboats for a week out of the year. I hold numerous certificates in navigation and passage-making.