My name is James Allen and I am a 35 year old professional web developer specialising in Adobe Coldfusion, based in Nottingham, England. I have been working in the industry for almost 12 years, 9 of those working with Coldfusion. The sites I have built over the years have been varied, ranging from simple brochure ware, through e-commerce all the way to enterprise level developments using a bespoke CMS system I developed.

Some of the clients I have developed web systems for during my career include Olympus UK, Superfi, Voice (formerly PAT - Professional Association of Teachers), The Chesham Building Society, Nottingham Playhouse, CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply), The International Business Leaders Forum, A.W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service and City Flowers Nottingham.

In 2007 I setup JWA Developments (an Internet development company). After 10 years in the same Internet development agency, I thought it was time to set up on my own and pursue my own projects.

I am also a professional voice artist, details of which you can find here:
jamesallenvoice.com

My Interests

When not developing I enjoy being physically active and regularly workout.
I enjoy combat based workouts and use the Bas Rutten MMA workout system every week.
I also love rollerskating (in classic quad skates) and visit the local skate rink in Derby every so often.

I've also have a keen interest in the urban sport of Parkour (freerunning). I haven't trained in it for a while but intend to start again soon.

A couple of years ago I regularly trained as a professional wrestler and performed in various shows for the public. I trained at the 'Elite Wrestling Academy' in Sheffield, run by a great guy called Alan Johnson and his wife Julie Roy.
My wrestling alter ego is the bad guy - "The Agent" Jimmy J.King :). Not exactly your standard hobby but incredibly good fun and nothing beats performing infront of a live audience (most of which are throwing every insult under the sun at you - I played a 'bad' guy after all).

Music wise I love dance music (funky house, hard house etc - anything with a funky or hard beat). I'm also into HipHop and although I'm into up-to-date rap I've got a real love of early 90's g-funk.

I'm a big fan of the current crop of top US tv shows such as Burn Notice, Lost, 24, Heroes, The Mentalist and Prison Break - quality which UK producers just don't seem to be able to match (well at least in the action / sci-fi genres).

I am also really enjoying getting into the classic tv show 'Miami Vice'. Being a big time Miami and GTA Vice City fan it's been awesome getting into the cool 80's style that just oozes from this show.

Another hobby I'm into is playing computer games. Pretty much exclusively playing GTA 4 which I feel is probably one of the greatest games ever created - certainly the best in the sandbox genre. The atmosphere, attention to detail and sound design on GTA 4 is truly aweinspiring.
The recent PC release of this phenominal game has really blown me away - playing in true 1080p HD is fantastic.

I'm a huge fan of the GTA series and have played every one since GTA 3. Just something about these kind of free roaming 'real world' games that engages me.

In fact, it was GTA: Vice City that inspired me to travel to Miami in 2006 - I just had to find out what the setting of the game was like for real. I must say, it blew me away. One of the most fun places I've ever been to and a place I could see myself living in. A very cool 'anything goes' vibe.. Seeing people out jogging or roller skating by the beach at 11pm is quite a sight.

I'm planning to go back somtime soon, although I have Las Vegas and San Franciso on the list as well.. Oh and no doubt New York will factor in after playing GTA 4 so much. :)