Jeffrey Sambells (Author)

Jeffrey Sambells is a graphic designer and self-taught web application developer best known for his unique ability to merge the visual world of graphics with the mental realm of code. After obtaining his bachelor of technology degree in graphic communications management with a minor in multimedia, Jeffrey originally enjoyed the paper and ink printing industry, but he soon realized the world of pixels and code was where his ideas would prosper.

In late 1999, he cofounded We-Create Inc., an Internet software company based in Waterloo, Ontario, which began many long nights of challenging and creative endeavors. Currently, as director of research and development for We-Create, Jeffrey is responsible for investigating new and emerging technologies and integrating them into existing products using web-standards-compliant methods. His peers describe him as both a natural programmer and an innovative thinker.

Jeffrey has previously published articles related to print design and has contributed to award winning graphical and Internet software designs. His previous book, Beginning Google Maps Application Development with PHP and Ajax (Apress, ISBN-13: 978-1-59059-707-1), was an instant success and has since been rewritten for Rails (Apress, ISBN-13: 978-1-59059-787-3). In late 2005, Jeffrey also became a PHP4 Zend Certified Engineer; he updated the certification to PHP5 in September 2006 to become one of the first PHP5 Zend Certified Engineers! Jeffrey also maintains a blog at jeffreysambells.com where he discusses his thoughts and ideas about everything from web development to photography.

Aaron Gustafson (Contributor)

After getting hooked on the web in 1996 and spending several years pushing pixels and bits for the likes of IBM and Konica Minolta, Aaron Gustafson founded his own web consultancy—Easy! Designs LLC. Aaron is a member of the Web Standards Project (WaSP) and the Guild of Accessible Web Designers (GAWDS). He also serves as a technical editor for A List Apart, is a contributing writer for Digital Web Magazine and MSDN, and has built a small library of writing and editing credits in the print world. Aaron has graced the stage at numerous conferences including An Event Apart, COMDEX, SXSW, The Ajax Experience, and Web Directions, and he is frequently called on to provide web standards training in both the public and private sectors. He blogs at easy-reader.net.