It begins
My name is Ben Belcourt and I’m a Web Developer (as well as a Musician, Graphic Designer, Husband, and Father-to-be… in no particular order) 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 late 90’s when the internet was still a wonderful distraction, peacefully expanding, dare I say bubbling, its way toward the new millenium.
It was a time before a word was spoken of “Web Standards” or “Progressive Enhancement”. I’d like to tell you that I was at the leading edge of this 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 unfortunately, the truth is never so convenient.
No, I was fashionably late to the standards party, first knocking on that door in the year of 2004 following the impulse purchase of a book by one Jeffrey Zeldman (who else?). Since that time I’ve devoured anything I could find regarding standards-based and accessible web development.
As you wander through 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. Let us do this thing…