About Me
Developer, Astronomy & Science Nerd, Music Lover, Awesome Dad
At A Glance
I don't fit the stereotype of the developer who hides behind a monitor all day. I genuinely enjoy working with people; I'm very friendly and outgoing. Throughout my career I've worked face-to-face with UAW workers, end-users, business stakeholders, healthcare professionals, court staff, and customers from all over the world. I enjoy listening, asking questions, understanding what people are trying to accomplish, and translating technical ideas into practical solutions.
I've found that some of the best software comes from strong relationships, empathy, and clear communication—not just good code. My background in customer support taught me patience and professionalism, and those experiences continue to shape how I approach software development today.
I live in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. I have a 15-year-old son who is following in my footsteps as a musician—he plays drums, guitar, and percussion in the Eaton Rapids Band (where I serve as the Web Admin for the Boosters). We share our home with two awesome brother cats, Pebble and Oreo.
Driven by Curiosity: My Background
I started programming in C and HTML in 1995 at around 12 years of age. I was inspired by old
talker systems built in C and hosted on Unix servers. My mom would send $5 a month to a server owner online
for space, and I would examine other users' directories to learn C code techniques and build my own features.
That early curiosity eventually led me to create a modernized Talker system today. Around that same time, I built HTML fan sites on GeoCities for my favorite bands—complete with plenty of <marquee> tags!
At age 14, my focus shifted toward music and playing in rock bands. In my 20s, I played in a semi-professional band touring Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois, and recorded an album in Florida. We won the Lansing area 2007 Q106 "Homegrown Throwdown", competing against 25 local bands (and hundreds of submissions). After stepping away from the band, I returned to college to pursue computer programming formally.
Interests & Pursuits
Astronomy & Cosmology
Outside of technology, I am deeply fascinated by astronomy, cosmology, and theoretical physics. Whether it's a documentary on black holes, quantum physics, or the origins of the universe, I enjoy staying curious about how the cosmos works.
Music Production & 3D Art
Music remains a core creative outlet. I compose cinematic and ambient pieces using Ableton under the project name Orbiting Erebos, blending orchestral, electronic, and atmospheric elements into sci-fi and space-inspired soundtracks. To complement the music, I am currently learning Blender to create 3D animations for upcoming music videos.
Videos & Websites I Follow
Astronomy & Science Related Channels
Hands down, the best astronomy channel on YouTube.
The Entire History of the UniverseNeil deGrasse Tyson is the best science educator.
StarTalk RadioAn element of truth—videos about science, education, and technology.
VeritasiumExploring interesting questions about science, history, and the future.
Answers with Joe Scott