[Q]
[INDENT]I’m sure, the very first thing we all would like to do is to congratulate you for the MOTM (Member Of The Month) Award for July 2012!The interview text is in honour of your colourful shirts 
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[John]
[INDENT]I am gobsmacked to be even considered from among the thousands of other members. Many thanks.
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[Q]
[INDENT]You have been with SitePoint a long time (close to this month back in 2005). So an important question is how did you find SitePoint and what has made you stay?
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[John]
[INDENT]Most surprised that it has been that long. I think it must have been Google that found SitePoint. Main reason I stayed was the web related forum topics are frequently updated by some very knowledgeable posters.
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[Q][INDENT] Online you have posted that you are ‘semi-retired’. It seems to me that people that say ‘semi-retired’ really are saying “I should be retired but…”. What’s your take on this, and are you more ‘retired’ or more ‘semi-working’?
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[John]
[INDENT]I am retired but still available for selected projects. As far as ‘semi-working’ is concerned then it is more of a hobby in trying to keep abreast of technology.
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[Q][INDENT] You are active in not only PHP but JavaScript, Marketing, Hosting, Layout forums. If one wasn’t careful we might get the impression that you are a web designer - I know unusual to find at Sitepoint - but what has driven you to be so well rounded?
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[John]
[INDENT] Too much time spent on these numerous and increasing technologies and not enough exercise.
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[Q][INDENT]What do like best about SitePoint and what areas do you think could use some improvement?
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[John]
[INDENT][B][COLOR=#daa520] The forums are the best feature, followed by news articles and tutorials. As for improvement then I would like to be able to add/edit posts rather than be locked out after a short period of time.
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[Q][INDENT]What do you see in the future for web development? Your thoughts on the 140 character twitter universe and how it is impacting the coming web designers.
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[John]
[INDENT]Daily the speed of data transfer is increasing and allowing enhanced multimedia. Next step is for mobiles to have a projector feature. Web developers will need to think bigger rather than smaller.
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[Q][INDENT]Most people might think your name is John Betong, but even in one of your online profile it lists you as John Rutherford with your Introduction being “John Betong, loves, traveling, motorsi’s and Roti Chanai”. So what is your connection with Betong?
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[John]
[INDENT][COLOR=#daa520][B]Late last century I visited Malaysia, bought a 600cc Kawasaki motorsi’ and remained for a couple of years. The motorcycle was used for exploring Malaysia and Thailand. The latter had a very popular mountainous bike ride to the Thai border town of Betong, ‘A Town in the Mist with Beautiful Flowers’. The weekend ride and overnight stay was so frequent that my fellow riders nicknamed me “John Betong”.
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[/COLOR][/B][Q][INDENT] That brings up a few more questions; you mention that you like to travel where have you gone and what has been your favourite destination?
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[John]
[INDENT]Immediately after serving a five year apprenticeship and a fortnights notice; I joined the Merchant Navy for four years. Countries visited were in Europe, Mediterranean, Africa, India and Australia. After completing further studies I worked in construction then took the overland Hippy Trail to Nepal. After Nepal I returned, via Pakistan to Iran where I worked for a couple of years before returning to UK. Numerous positions, self-employed and then managed a contract to Brazil which became my favourite country. The Brazilians live life for today and enjoy their music. The weather also helps.
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[/COLOR][/B][Q][INDENT] I guess that motorsi’s stands for motorcycles and I notice that you have a IAM Motorcycle License, is a IAM designation normal for motorcyclists in your area or does this have special status?
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[John]
[INDENT]Motorsi’s is the Malaysian and Thailand name for motorcycles. When in UK police motorcyclists taught me how to pass the Institute of Advanced Motorists Motorcycle License. Their motto was “Make Progress” which was quickly forgotten because Malaysia driving licensees can be purchased for the price of a Big Mac. My new motto became “Survival”.
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[/COLOR][/B][Q][INDENT] Roti Chanai is an Indian food, do you have a favorite cultural food group or many likes from many different cultures?
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[John][INDENT]Roti Chanai is a delicious Malaysian breakfast dish of hot unleavened bread served with curry sauce. Available from street vendors or small coffee shops. Strange that here in Bangkok the Rotis are all sweetened with sugar and fruits. I also like Thai food and especially their oysters which are blended with sweet, bitter, sour, salty and umami ingredients. Separately strong flavours but when combined the oysters are absolutely delicious.
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[Q][INDENT] Speaking about cultures, you seemed to have lived in many places around the world. Most people don’t get this opportunity so how did it happen for you?
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[John]
[INDENT]I was never happy with the UK weather especially after having a couple holidays abroad. Fortunately I managed to be accepted in the Merchant Navy and also to work abroad. I am now living in a country where the “weather suits my clothes” and surrounded by smiling people.
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[/COLOR][/B][Q][INDENT] You have certainly built a online space that has a great affect on people beyond SitePoint, why did you choose to create Johns-Jokes.com? When creating these questions, I noticed that you had 2,646 pages on your Joke blog, so would it be safe to say that your site is popular and well-used?
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[John]
[INDENT][COLOR=#daa520][B]A webmaster with a very popular Thai site recommended PHP for a web site. A joke site seemed an ideal way to learn how to present and handle data Johns-Jokes was registered, web techniques developed and it is now quite popular.
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[/COLOR][/B][Q][INDENT] Do you have a favourite Joke?
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[John]
[INDENT][COLOR=#daa520][B]My latest favourite is The-Concerned-Anthropologist
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[/COLOR][/B][Q][INDENT] Outside of those hobbies already mentioned, can you let us know about of the other hobbies and interests you have?
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[John]
[INDENT][COLOR=#daa520][B] Photography of people and not so much places is another hobby. Also reading fiction, current authors are Lee Child, Allen Folsom and Geoffrey Archer.
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[Q][/COLOR][/B][INDENT] What is the best advise that you have every been given?
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[John]
[INDENT][COLOR=#daa520][B] Robin, the C++ teacher told me to “always read the error messages”.
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[Q][/COLOR][/B][INDENT] Anything that hasn’t been asked that you would like the Sitepoint community to know?
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[John]
[INDENT][COLOR=#daa520][B] Learn how to search. I am still amazed at the comprehensive search results. Also life is too short to stare at a single monitor, use two even if only to watch YouTube.
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[Q][/COLOR][/B][INDENT] The MOTM is granted to opportunity to promote yourself, your site, or your passion. This is your chance for blatant self promotion.
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[John]
[INDENT] If you are still here then take a look at Johns-Jokes.com, there must be at least one joke that raises a smile, then share with your friends. [/INDENT]
[INDENT][COLOR=#daa520][B]The browser command line “Johns-Jokes.com/” followed by space separated words can be used for searching.
If Google Chrome can do it…
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[Q][INDENT] Any final thoughts?
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[John]
[INDENT][COLOR=#daa520][B] We have all been there so be grateful and take the time to help others - especially the ‘newbies’.
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[Q][/COLOR][/B][INDENT] It is fantastic to have you in the Sitepoint community and it has been a pleasure getting to know you better
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[John]
[INDENT][COLOR=#daa520][B] The pleasure is all mine. Thank you once again.
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[Steve]
[/B][/COLOR][INDENT]John, SitePoint welcomes your great contributions to our community! Thank you!!! Give John some ups!!!
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great interview!
