Hi! I'm Rui!

I write this from Guimarães, a picturesque old town in ☀️ sunny Portugal, where I live with my loving partner and our 5 year old daughter.

I'm a seasoned software development consultant who helps high-tech companies bring innovative software products to market.

That's the formal pitch at least. Informally, I am a computer programmer who abhors non-essential complexity, has high standards and a contagious focus on delivering. I design systems, lead teams, mentor folks or participate as an individual contributor. I once had a client write "Rui is my Jesus" in my feedback form - so I guess I must be doing something right.

Born in the 80's I grew up fascinated by computers, starting with the ZX Spectrum. I would always have the hardware at home, hand-me-downs from my 10-year older brother. I watched him code with a neighbour of ours, with the two of them eventually releasing software commercially, distributed in floppy disks in kiosks throughout the country. I didn't think much of it at the time - you see, I was more into Prince of Persia than Turbo Pascal. Still, a seed must have been planted in my subconscious.

In my teens I enrolled into a technical school. I would learn how computers were put together, would build Ethernet cables and help upgrade the school LAN. I would crucially start programming in C and Pascal, and building some database applications with MS Access. I have since never stopped coding - even if I often yearn for the simplicity and magic of yesteryear.

That I made a career of out typing things into existence is already baffling. That it has enabled me to live in different cities, visit different countries, and befriend genuinely inspiring people, warrants a humbling thought of appreciation for all the pioneers of this industry.

Since you found me, know that you'll find me elsewhere on the web - but those places that I don't link to from here are most likely not actively maintained (by me at least).

Thanks for dropping by my electronic address! Want to rekindle or otherwise say hi? Let's get in touch!