homepage iniT

content/about.md

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
++++
+title = "About me"
+slug = "about"
++++
+
+#### Introduction
+
+My name is Luciano Nooijen, currently working in the games industry as an engineer focusing on online game client development, multiplayer functionality and engine programming.
+
+My current position is senior/lead engineer at Companion Group, a co-development agency focussing on multiplayer games where I work on various projects and in various roles. With Companion Group, I've built an open-source logging solution for Unreal Engine multiplayer games, called [Capsa](https://capsa.gg). Some of the work I do is published on [my GitHub](https://github.com/lucianonooijen/).
+
+I am also open to part-time freelance/consultancy work for multiplayer games, start-up consultancy or web development. More info can be found on my [freelance page](/freelance/).
+
+#### Work
+
+Although I was introduced to software engineering via website development, I have quickly moved more towards back-end development and site-reliability engineering. The closer to the computer hardware I get, the more I tend to enjoy the work I'm doing. Though I enjoy automating tasks, processing large amounts of data or optimizing data-intensive applications, I love working on compilers, low-level systems programming and game engines the most.
+
+A few years ago, I was given the opportunity to enter the gaming industry, in which I currently work (details on my [experience page](/experience)), working mostly with Unreal Engine, C++ and various back-end technologies (mostly Golang, C#).
+
+Where necessary, I use my experience in web development to assist in the development of internal web-based tooling used during the game development process, though this work to me is the exception rather than the rule.
+
+#### Career
+
+I started programming at an early age. In 2009 I made my first website, after having been interested in computers and software from an early age. After making this first website, I continued to learn more about website building, which enabled me to apply my skills on a professional level from 2014.
+
+In 2014 I developed my own webshop and started to develop websites under the name Nooijen Web Solutions. After a while I started working with another developer with whom I later founded Bytecode, which evolved into a software start-up focussed digital agency. Through Bytecode, I have co-founded multiple start-ups, worked as technical lead in even more, leading the development of their software products.
+
+#### Education
+
+In 2017 I completed my VWO education at the Stanislascollege in Pijnacker. Afterwards I studied Computer Science and Engineering at Delft University of Technology for about half a year. However, the programme did not fit in well with the way I prefer to learn and I didn't feel challenged enough. I felt I could learn more and better in the way I always did, by myself and by doing, although I later realized this route has challenges of it's own.
+
+In 2020, I came to a realization that even though I can make great impact with the work I do, there was still a feeling that there was more I could achieve. I considered going to University to get formal education about the true fundamentals to be able to understand what I do at the electrical engineering level, but I chose to go the self-education route here too.
+
+When diving into the fundamentals, I started to delve into theoretical matters surrounding computer science, because I believe that to write software properly, you need to understand the tools and technologies that most people take for granted. Learning about this has changed how I approach writing software and has given me a much deeper appreciation of the craft.
+
+On my dedicated [learning page](/learning) you can read more about my ongoing learning journey, the goals I want to achieve doing this and the path I take to get there, as well as the reasoning behind it all.
+
+##### Certificates
+
+In 2016 I obtained my Anglia Proficiency certificate with a "Distinction" grade. This shows that I master the English language on at least C1 level on the [CEFRL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_European_Framework_of_Reference_for_Languages) scale.
+
+#### Leisure
+
+In my spare time I read a lot of books, mostly non-fiction. My personal library mostly consists of books about philosophy, history, linguistics, the classics, and of course computer science and software engineering books.
+
+Apart from reading and learning, I play a few video games and I like woodworking, gardening, cooking and sourdough baking.
+
+I also like to play chess. Feel free to [challenge me on Lichess](https://lichess.org/@/lucianonooijen)
+
+#### Website
+
+The source code of this website is made available on my [Github profile](https://github.com/lucianonooijen/personal-website) under AGPL-3.0 license. Blogposts are CC-BY-SA licensed.
+
+This website was developed using the static website generator Hugo (written in Golang).