It begins
My name is Ben Belcourt and I’m a Web Developer (as well as a Graphic Designer and Musician) in Manchester, NH. If you want to be precise then I’m still a Web Developer wherever I happen to be, but let’s not get bogged down in the details. I’ve been in this game since the halcyon days of 1999 when the internet was still a wonderful distraction, peacefully expanding, dare I say bubbling, its way toward the new millenium.
At that time nary a word was spoken of “CSS”, “Web Standards”, or indeed, “Fiscal Restraint”. I’d like to tell you that I was at the leading edge of the burgeoning charge into the new realm of standards and accessibility and, as long as there’s no attempt at confirmation on your part, I just may claim that. But alas, the truth is never as we wish it would be.
No, I was a relative late-comer to the standards party, first dipping my foot into the pool in the year of 2004 following the impulse purchase of a book by one Jeffrey Zeldman (who else?). Since that time I’ve fervently devoured anything I could find regarding this latest wave of web development.
As you peruse this shrine of all things Ben (or more precisely, some things Ben) you may ask yourself, “Who is this person?”, “What makes him tick?”, or perhaps, “How do I get back to the Google homepage?”. The first two questions can easily be answered by contacting me. The third question is best left unanswered. Delving too deeply into its mysteries will only lead you down a dark path away from this site.
Within these pages you’ll find examples of my work as well as a list of blogs and sites that I find useful in my everyday life. If you’re ready then let’s take our first steps together. Onward, into the breach…