Meet Liviu

Let me take you on a journey through my life, shaped by the ever-evolving web.

I was born in Bucharest, Romania in 1988, just two years before the fall of the communist regime. Following that historic event, I spent most of my childhood in the countryside. The first four years of my schooling were at the primary school of Valea Stanii in Luica, CL.

I moved to Oltenita in 1999, a charming small city in southern Romania, situated near the Danube River and the border with Bulgaria. For the next eight years, this city became my cherished home, providing the backdrop for my educational journey, from Primary School No. 6 to the halls of Nicolae Balcescu High School. Despite the academic pursuits, I held dear the serene weekends and festive holidays immersed in the picturesque village life.

During this period, I had the privilege of encountering my first tech gadgets and gaining valuable experiences:

• Cassette tape and CD players
• Cassette tape video player
• Photo/Video camera
• PlayStation console
• Personal computer
• Introduction to the world of the internet

I consider myself fortunate to have had access to such remarkable pieces of technology during that time. Most of these gadgets were gifts from my uncle, who had migrated abroad earlier. I will forever be grateful to him for enabling me to explore and embrace these technological wonders.

About the PC and internet

My first encounter with a personal computer was, unsurprisingly, at a gaming/internet cafe.

Back then, I used to save up my food money from school to indulge in buying console games or spending time at the internet cafe.

During the early days of the internet, my friends and I had a blast engaging in conversations with people from all over the country using messaging apps like mIRC or Yahoo Messenger. It was an exciting time of discovering new connections and expanding our social circles.

As time went on, I became acquainted with the powerhouse that is Google. I was thrilled to learn that not only could you search for information, but you could also download music and movies from the vast realm of the internet. It opened up a whole new world of entertainment and possibilities.

These early experiences immersed me in the realm of technology, and I eagerly embraced the wonders that the digital landscape had to offer. Little did I know that these seemingly simple interactions would lay the foundation for my future endeavors in the world of software and technology.

Owning a radio station

During the years spanning from 2000 to 2006, I had the incredible opportunity to run my own local radio station.

It was an exhilarating experience, filled with endless enjoyment. I would download music from the internet and broadcast it through the FM waves, sharing the tunes with my local community.

Being able to curate playlists and share music that resonated with others was a source of great satisfaction. It allowed me to connect with people through the universal language of music and bring joy to listeners in my area.

Those years of running the radio station were marked by excitement, creativity, and the thrill of discovering new tracks to share with my audience. It was a time of growth, both personally and technologically, as I explored the world of broadcasting and honed my skills in delivering captivating content.

This chapter of my life further solidified my passion for technology, music, and the power of communication. It laid the groundwork for my continued journey into the realms of software development and innovation, fueling my drive to create meaningful experiences through technology.

Pursuing a DJ career

Driven by my love for music and the thrill of entertaining others, it felt like a natural progression to pursue a career as a DJ. The prospect of spinning tracks and creating a lively atmosphere was incredibly enticing and exciting.

I embraced the opportunities that came my way, playing music at various venues of diverse sizes and genres. From local discos to clubs around the world, my DJ career took me on an incredible journey. One noteworthy stop along the way was Malta, where I relocated in 2009.

In Malta, I had the privilege of showcasing my skills and sharing my passion for music with audiences from different backgrounds. The vibrant nightlife scene provided me with a platform to engage with diverse crowds and create unforgettable experiences on the dancefloor.

These experiences as a DJ enriched my life in countless ways. It allowed me to connect with people through the universal language of music, transcending borders and cultural boundaries. Each venue and event presented a unique opportunity to curate soundtracks that resonated with the audience, fostering a sense of unity and joy.

The DJ career not only provided me with unforgettable moments but also furthered my understanding of music, sound engineering, and the art of captivating an audience. It served as a stepping stone towards my broader aspirations in the realm of technology and software development.

Through the fusion of my DJ experiences and technological expertise, I continue to strive towards creating innovative and immersive experiences that blend the power of music with cutting-edge technology.

Getting into web development

In the year 2010, I embarked on a career transition, shifting gears from my youthful and adventurous days as a DJ to pursue a path as a software engineer.

My journey began by delving into the world of web development. I eagerly started learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, immersing myself in the foundations of web design. To enhance my skills, I enrolled in a local "Web Designer" course, where I gained valuable knowledge and practical experience.

With a growing passion for web development, I set out to build my first websites using PHP. Although these initial projects didn't meet my desired standards and were not released, they served as stepping stones towards securing my first freelance gigs. These early experiences provided me with valuable practical exposure, laying the groundwork for my subsequent journey as a web developer.

As I delved deeper into the field, I expanded my repertoire of tools and technologies. I honed my expertise in popular frameworks such as Laravel and mastered content management systems like WordPress. Additionally, I explored the intricacies of MySQL and became proficient in utilizing it for efficient data management.

The ever-evolving landscape of web development constantly presented new opportunities for growth. I remained dedicated to staying abreast of the latest trends and technologies, continually expanding my skill set. Embracing emerging tools and frameworks, I ensured that I was well-equipped to tackle diverse challenges and deliver high-quality solutions.

This transformative period marked the beginning of my journey as a software engineer. It was a time of intensive learning, practical application, and personal growth. These experiences not only solidified my technical foundation but also ignited my passion for crafting innovative software solutions that would make a positive impact.

With each project and milestone, I nurtured a deep appreciation for the art of programming and its capacity to shape the digital world. This enthusiasm continues to drive me forward as I embark on new endeavors, eager to push boundaries, and make meaningful contributions to the field of software engineering.

2013 - 2014 and getting into JS frameworks

As my journey in web development progressed, I explored various JavaScript frameworks and libraries, including jQuery, Backbone, Knockout, Angular, and eventually React and Vue.

While using React for a particular project, I found myself somewhat unconvinced about the framework. However, it was during this period that I discovered VueJS, thanks to Taylor Otwell, the creator of Laravel and one of my early inspirations. Otwell introduced VueJS to the Laravel community, and in its early releases, VueJS resembled what AlpineJS is today. It was a remarkable framework that captured my attention and proved to be a valuable tool for my projects.

If you're interested in learning more about the origins of Laravel and VueJS, I highly recommend two documentaries: Laravel Origins: A PHP Documentary and Vue.js: The Documentary. These films provide a captivating glimpse into the beginnings and evolution of these frameworks, shedding light on their rich history and the communities that support them.

In the present day, the JavaScript ecosystem offers an abundance of excellent frameworks, providing developers with limitless possibilities to bring their ideas to life. Personally, I continue to utilize both Vue and React, as they have matured gracefully and boast thriving communities. These frameworks have proven themselves to be reliable, powerful, and well-suited for a wide range of projects.

The extensive support and passionate communities surrounding Vue and React contribute to their ongoing success. These frameworks continue to evolve, introducing new features and enhancements, while their respective communities foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Whether you choose Vue or React, you can be confident that you are leveraging frameworks that have stood the test of time and are embraced by a vibrant ecosystem of developers.

2016 - server side JS frameworks

During this transformative period, a significant shift occurred in my development journey as I transitioned from PHP to Node.js. This change coincided with the emergence of Next.js in the React community and Nuxt.js in the Vue community, which further propelled my exploration of new front-end frameworks.

As the React community introduced Next.js, and the Vue community embraced Nuxt.js, I found myself facing a new and exciting learning curve. These frameworks provided powerful tools and functionalities that allowed for more efficient and streamlined development.

Next.js, with its server-side rendering capabilities and built-in routing, opened up possibilities for creating dynamic and performant React applications. Similarly, Nuxt.js, with its server-side rendering and preconfiguration, empowered me to build robust Vue applications with ease.

The transition from PHP to Node.js brought fresh opportunities and challenges. Embracing Node.js allowed me to leverage JavaScript on both the front end and back end, providing a unified development experience. This shift expanded my skill set and broadened my horizons as I delved into the world of server-side JavaScript development.

Adapting to these new frameworks and technologies was an invigorating process of discovery and mastery. It involved acquiring new knowledge, understanding the best practices, and gaining proficiency in utilizing the features and capabilities of Next.js and Nuxt.js. With time and dedication, I honed my skills and became well-versed in these frameworks, enabling me to build sophisticated and efficient web applications.

The journey of transitioning from PHP to Node.js and embracing Next.js and Nuxt.js has been a rewarding one. It has allowed me to stay at the forefront of web development and equipped me with the tools necessary to create cutting-edge, performant, and scalable applications.

Present & Future

Technology has undeniably transformed my life in profound ways. It has become an integral part of my identity, and I cannot fathom where I would be without it. Throughout my journey, I have relied heavily on self-learning, utilizing the vast array of free resources available on the internet.

The knowledge I have acquired has been a result of my own curiosity, dedication, and countless hours of exploring online materials. From tutorials and documentation to forums and communities, the internet has been an invaluable source of information and guidance. It has provided me with the tools to develop my skills and shape my career.

While this website is a work in progress, I am committed to continually updating its content and sharing my experiences through blog posts. It is my way of giving back to the community that has played such a significant role in my personal and professional growth.

Thank you

I'm very much grateful to all the open-sourcerors out there, thank you all for your generosity, passion, and commitment to making technology accessible and empowering for everyone. Your collective efforts have empowered countless individuals and transformed lives.

Peace,

Liviu