Nathan Birkes

Software Developer

BeatBlossom (WIP)

BeatBlossom Preview

BeatBlossom, my most ambitious and personal project yet, redefines the music recommendation process by integrating advanced AI and Machine Learning algorithms.

What sets BeatBlossom apart is its unique approach to music recommendations. It utilizes the data from users' connected music streaming accounts, making use of listening history and preferences to provide highly personalized song suggestions. This is powered by sophisticated AI and Machine Learning models, that continually learn and adapt to the user's evolving music tastes.

Another key feature of BeatBlossom is its customizability. Users are given the ability to fine-tune the recommendation algorithm's parameters, allowing them to explore new genres or dig deeper into their current favorites. This ensures that BeatBlossom stays flexible and responsive to the user's preferences.

The main focus in the ongoing development of BeatBlossom is to refine and perfect the recommendation algorithm. The objective is to provide such compelling and personalized recommendations that users will keep returning, effectively creating a cycle of discovery and enjoyment of new music. I'm excited about the future of BeatBlossom and can't wait to see how it will evolve!

Puzzled (WIP)

Puzzled Preview

Puzzled started as a fun personal project aimed at enhancing my skills in web development and game design. This interactive platform began its journey as a jigsaw puzzle creator, allowing users to either upload their own pictures or select from an in-built gallery and transform them into engaging jigsaw puzzles.

However, recognizing the potential for greater user engagement, I decided to evolve the application into a more comprehensive gaming website, adopting the appeal of a digital newspaper game section. The platform now hosts an array of classic games including Hangman, Crossword, Word Search, and more, turning it into a one-stop destination for casual gaming.

The development process of Puzzled involved several exciting challenges. From ensuring the seamless transformation of images into puzzles, designing a user-friendly interface, integrating multiple games, to optimizing performance for a smooth gaming experience, each step of the journey contributed significantly to my growth as a developer.

As Puzzled continues to be a work-in-progress, I am constantly on the lookout for new features and games to incorporate, with a focus on improving user engagement and making the platform more entertaining and interactive.

BigN's Kitchen

Puzzled Preview

BigN's Kitchen marks the first website I created from scratch, designed to drive online engagement and awareness for my father's food truck business. My mission was to create an intuitive and visually engaging platform that mirrors the unique identity of BigN's Kitchen, highlighting its vibrant food culture and making its offerings easily accessible to customers.

Throughout this project, I tackled various challenges including designing responsive layouts, managing site hosting, and ensuring optimal performance. I incorporated features such as a dynamic menu, an interactive location map, and a way to track the customers call-in order to enhance user experience.

I utilized a variety of tools and technologies in the process, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design principles, demonstrating my problem-solving skills and adaptability as a developer.

Technical Skills

  • JavaScript - Most proficient. Used in various projects such as BeatBlossom and Puzzled
  • Python - Experience in Python programming. Developed web applications and automation scripts.
  • HTML/CSS - Strong knowledge of HTML and CSS. Built responsive and visually appealing websites.
  • C# and C++ - Proficient in C# and C++ programming language. Developed a simple game and took classes.
  • MySQL - Strong understanding of MySQL database management. Created and optimized database queries.
  • Firebase - Experience in Firebase for developing real-time web and mobile applications.
  • Google Cloud - Knowledge of Google Cloud Platform for deploying and managing cloud-based applications.
  • AI/ML - While I'm still at the beginner stage of AI and Machine Learning, I'm deeply interested in these fields and am actively working on improving my skills.
  • PHP - I've started to grasp the basics of this powerful backend language and am excited about delving deeper into its capabilities.
  • Ruby on Rails - I'm a beginner in Ruby on Rails, but I'm eager to master this efficient MVC framework for creating amazing web applications.
  • Vue.js - This modern JavaScript framework has caught my interest due to its versatility for building user-friendly web interfaces.
  • jQuery - I'm fascinated by how this concise JavaScript library simplifies HTML document traversing, event handling for rapid web development.

JavaScript

Most proficient. Used in various projects such as BeatBlossom and Puzzled

Python

Experience in Python programming. Developed web applications and automation scripts.

HTML/CSS

Strong knowledge of HTML and CSS. Built responsive and visually appealing websites.

C# and C++

Proficient in C# and C++ programming language. Developed a simple game and took classes.

MySQL

Strong understanding of MySQL database management. Created and optimized database queries.

Firebase

Experience in Firebase for developing real-time web and mobile applications.

Google Cloud

Knowledge of Google Cloud Platform for deploying and managing cloud-based applications.

AI/ML

While I'm still at the beginner stage of AI and Machine Learning, I'm deeply interested in this area and I am working on improving my skills.

PHP

I've started to grasp the basics of this powerful backend language and am excited about delving deeper into its capabilities.

Ruby on Rails

I'm a beginner in Ruby on Rails, but I'm eager to master this efficient MVC framework for creating amazing web applications.

Vue.js

This modern JavaScript framework has caught my interest due to its versatility for building user-friendly web interfaces.

jQuery

I'm fascinated by how this concise JavaScript library simplifies HTML document traversing, event handling for rapid web development.

Hobbies & Passions

  • Music - I think everyone likes music in a way. I enjoy almost any genre of music (maybe not metal).
  • Cryptocurrency - More specifically what I like about crypto is DeFi. I plan on making a crypto-related project sometime in my future.
  • Traveling/Exploring - Love traveling and exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and just adventuring to unknown areas.
  • Learning - Continuous learner, always seeking to expand my knowledge and skills in various domains.
  • Video Games - Lately, I haven't found too much free time for it, so I just treat my life like a video game; always trying to improve and get better.
  • Sports - I like to watch my local teams: Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, and the Kansas Jayhawks.
  • Cars - It is one of my goals someday to build my own project car. I will learn a lot and I think I would really enjoy it.
  • Artificial Intelligence - I believe this tool will change the world (likely already has). I am fascinated by it and love learning more!
  • Creating - I really love turning my ideas into something real. There's nothing better than seeing all my hard work pay off and come to life.

Music

I think everyone likes music in a way. I enjoy almost any genre of music (maybe not metal).

Cryptocurrency

More specifically what I like about crypto is DeFi. I plan on making a crypto-related project sometime in my future.

Traveling/Exploring

Love traveling and exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and just adventuring to unknown areas.

Learning

Continuous learner, always seeking to expand my knowledge and skills in various domains.

Video Games

Lately, I haven't found too much free time for it, so I just treat my life like a video game; always trying to improve and get better.

Sports

I like to watch my local teams: Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, and the Kansas Jayhawks.

Cars

It is one of my goals someday to build my own project car. I will learn a lot and I think I would really enjoy it.

Artificial Intelligence

I beleive this tool will change the world (likely already has). I am fascinated by it and love learning more!

Creating

I really love turning my ideas into something real. There's nothing better than seeing all my hard work pay off and come to life.

Traits

  • Loyal - I believe in the value of loyalty. I am committed to fostering trust and building long-lasting relationships.
  • Hard-Working - I am driven by a strong work ethic. I dedicate necessary time and effort to ensure tasks are completed.
  • Self-Improvement - I am dedicated to continuously improving myself. I believe in the power of growth and embrace learning.
  • Problem-Solving - I enjoy solving problems and approach challenges with analytical thinking and creative solutions.
  • Curiosity - I am naturally curious and have a thirst for knowledge. I find joy in exploring various subjects.
  • Communication - I possess strong communication skills. I can effectively convey ideas, both verbally and in writing.
  • Critical Thinking - I excel in critical thinking, analyzing problems, evaluating options, and making informed decisions.
  • Resilience - I am resilient and view challenges as opportunities for growth. I bounce back stronger in adversity.

Willingness to Learn

I think this would be my best trait. I aim to improve myself in anyway, and I believe learning is the best way to do so.

Loyal

I believe in the value of loyalty. I am committed to fostering trust and building long-lasting relationships.

Hard-Working

I am driven by a strong work ethic. I dedicate necessary time and effort to ensure tasks are completed.

Self-Improvement

I am dedicated to continuously improving myself. I believe in the power of growth and embrace learning.

Problem-Solving

I enjoy solving problems and approach challenges with analytical thinking and creative solutions.

Curiosity

I am naturally curious and have a thirst for knowledge. I find joy in exploring various subjects.

Communication

I possess strong communication skills. I can effectively convey ideas, both verbally and in writing.

Critical Thinking

I excel in critical thinking, analyzing problems, evaluating options, and making informed decisions.

Resilience

I am resilient and view challenges as opportunities for growth. I bounce back stronger in adversity.

Nathan Birkes

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