Zunch Nuz recently sat down (via Instant Messenger) with Joe Mocerino, Developer for Zunch.
Zunch Nuz: Hey Joe
medievalcloud: Hello
Zunch Nuz: first things first - explain the screen name
medievalcloud: Well, it's actually somewhat of an inside joke between a friend and me. I created it many years ago...
Zunch Nuz: does it have to do with gaming?
medievalcloud: Well, yes actually... The "Cloud" portion refers to a video game character named "Cloud Strife" from a PlayStation game called: "Final Fantasy VII"
Zunch Nuz: so you've been into computers for years, haven't you?
medievalcloud: Yes... Computers and technology in general has always been my thing due to the environment I was brought up in. My father is an electrical engineer and my brother is a software developer. I first started programming when I was 11 years old, developing gaming and personal websites.
Zunch Nuz: and now you're how old?
medievalcloud: nineteen
Zunch Nuz: and I understand you're in school - where? and when do you graduate?
medievalcloud: I am currently enrolled at Collin County Community College in Frisco and plan on attending UNT or UTD someday. I am currently a sophomore so I have three years until I graduate
Zunch Nuz: You've been tasked with a TON of stuff at Zunch, from the creation of a Chinese Content Management System to the daily maintenance of zunch.com and the development of client websites - you're getting a double education, huh?
medievalcloud: Yes, since I was hired 1 year ago, I’ve learned much in the search engine optimization field as well a lot about ecommerce shopping carts. The education in website marketing and SEO techniques has been some of the great advantages of my job here.
Zunch Nuz: So really, it's not like you're the inexperienced new kid, but more of a seasoned veteran at the ripe old age of 19.
medievalcloud: (Laugh) I like to consider myself a seasoned veteran sometimes, but other times only an amateur excited about learning something new.
Zunch Nuz: A lot has been made of the "Zunch Culture" - like no dress code and foosball - has that been cool for you? (I'm looking at the webcams at zunch.com right now and it looks like you're missing a game – sorry)
medievalcloud: (lol) The Zunch Culture is definitely a huge plus of my job. I love the laid-back attitude mixed with the low-stress environment. From a developer perspective, I love the fact that I can develop a new feature for any one of our products without a huge approval process.
Zunch Nuz: So when you graduate and go off to some button-down cubicle - you're in for a shock, you know that don't you? (or maybe you can just demand a raise with your new degree)
medievalcloud: actually, I think every employee here has a large amount of job security and I hope to make Zunch my permanent home.
Zunch Nuz: Most programmers these days are pretty well versed in many programming languages - which is your favorite and which do you hate?
medievalcloud: To speak of low-level web programming languages, I like working with PHP or ColdFusion. We are starting to use asp.NET as the primary web programming language due to the latest and greatest technology. If I had to pick a language I don't like, I would have to say Java.
Zunch Nuz: When you aren't working and you aren't in school - which probably isn't very often - what is Joe Mocerino doing?
medievalcloud: You could catch me trying to find someone to play Lacrosse with or doing something outside. I also enjoy keeping up with a salt-water reef aquarium and try to fit in time for my girlfriend now and then (joke).
Zunch Nuz: I didn't know they played lacrosse in Texas (your girlfriend will read this and punch you, you realize)
medievalcloud: (haha i am well aware...) Well, Lacrosse originated in the north, where I was born and lived for several years, and is starting to branch out all over the United States and the world. Plano and Allen has a club team that I plan on joining when I can find some time and money.
Zunch Nuz: I took the liberty of looking at your buddy info and found the link to your pictures - looks like you and your gang have a lot of fun together
medievalcloud: (laugh) Yea I try to hang out with my friends as much as I can find time to. That [photo] site serves a double purpose for me - Yes, I host photos from my adventures, but I also implemented many techniques I learned here at Zunch to enable more traffic to the site. Some techniques include URL rewriting, SEO keywords and dynamic content managed from a content management system I wrote in PHP. Now the site receives roughly 800 hits a day and generates 40 to 120 cents per day in ads.
Zunch Nuz: man - most college sophomores are working at Starbucks or Circuit City - you're doing pretty good, Joe
medievalcloud: I try to do my best. My dad always stressed to achieve the highest at what’s available to you. Plus, I don’t look at my "job" as a job.... I come to work everyday, well most days, excited to start something new or problem solve, since that’s the basis of programming
Zunch Nuz: ok – suggestion - you should head up HR at Zunch someday - that's a refreshing attitude.
medievalcloud: lol – well, I really mean that... I'm not just saying it.
Zunch Nuz: OK, Joe - I really appreciate your time - now get back to work before your boss sees you messing around
medievalcloud: haha ok thank-you
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