Customizing Solr Highlighting with Sunspot
Need full-text text search in your web app? You don’t have to use Elasticsearch. There are alternatives. Even in 2025, some will refuse to switch to Elastics...
Hans ♥︎ Software.
Building neat web applications with Ruby on Rails. I'm most familiar with backend operations and infrastructure. No, that does not mean I'm scared of Javascript and CSS. Currently based in Vienna.
Need help with your software project? Contact me.
Work
I currently work as a independent Ruby on Rails developer. In addition to various engagements I regularly contribute to open source. Learn more about what I've been up to on LinkedIn and GitHub.
Meister
As a staff engineer at Meister I was responsible for MeisterTask, a task management tool serving millions of users.
#ruby-on-rails #kubernetes #graphQL #sidekiq
MagicBell
MagicBell is a modern notification service. In 2021, I was brought on as a contractor to build out their GraphQL API.
#ruby-on-rails #graphql #typescript #react
Sakya Research Center
I took over maintenance of the Sakya Research Center, which is an old-school Rails application for Tibetan historical and literary research.
#ruby-on-rails #rest #ftp
Writing
I semi-regularly write about technology that I work with and things that I've learned. Every now and then I might sprinkle in an opinion peace. I have also written professionally for the AppSignal blog. Below are some recent posts and you can read more articles here.
Porting a Ruby Gem to the browser with ruby.wasm
When I built a small Ruby command-line tool - Tints ‘N Shades - I wondered: What does it take to run this library in the browser? Can it be done? Should it b...
Using Jekyll with Esbuild
I know. What an unholy union. Why would anyone do this? Why would anyone want that?
About
With over a dozen years of experience in software engineering, I have seen some stuff. I have worked with C#, Java and Javascript but am most happy working with Ruby (on Rails).
I'm curious about the intersection of software and wetware - things like software development processes, developer experience and software testing. I have a soft spot for silly software and most enjoy building software products.
I spend my spare time with my family in Vienna, reading, or hiking and climbing somewhere in the Austrian alps.
Connect
I'm open for new opportunities. Feel free to contact me through any of these channels.