I'll take this opportunity to provide some background. My involvement with MMBase started in 2000, when it became open-source and I attended the first developers meeting. A year later, I became an active MMBase developer while leading the XML Importer project. An active committer ever since, I have contributed all of the code of the Query project, a number of bugfixes and the occasional hack. Most of this work was sponsored by the VPRO, and my employers at the time, Finalist and Quantiq.
Next to working on MMBase itself, I have been using it as a CMS in projects for a wide range of customers. My role varied from developer to technical lead and architect. Being an MMBase specialist I was usually also in charge of bringing developers up to speed with MMBase. Fortunately, I have not been exclusively working on MMBase projects, and gained experience in other areas as well, J2EE in particular. In addition, I've seen different approaches to managing software development by small to mediumsized groups. All this is meant to support my claim that I have the right skills, experience and background to complement those already present in the MMC: 1 - Commercial background. The companies that I work(ed) for, Quantiq and Finalist, play an essential role in promoting MMBase. In addition, I worked for the full breadth of customers: broadcasters (VPRO, VARA), corporate (Vodafone) and non-profit. 2 - Knowledge of standards, best practices, related technologies and new developments in the world "out there", in particular J2EE. 3 - A clear picture of the good, the bad and the ugly regarding the product MMBase and its developers community. Introducing all sorts of people to MMBase has provided me with opportunities to get a new and fresh perspective. One thing I learned, is that to the uninitiated MMBase as a product is still very obscure and intimidating, surrounded by an introverted community. As a result of this, we miss opportunities to grow a larger and more active developers community. I want to help to make MMBase more accessible, it's community more open and welcoming, and its future more reliable. MMC membership will give me an opportunity to contribute. Rob van Maris Technical Consultant Quantiq xmedia & communication solutions
