Who Am I?

I'm just a human who likes tech, excluding ChatGPT. It's not because I don't think it's useful or that it might replace my job. I just think it's a bit overrated.

Actually, a long time ago, I wrote an article on how to write an article for my portfolio/agency Zaat.dev. In it, I set the author to be zaatbot. You can find the article here: zaat.dev/blog/adding-article/. The article was published on September 3, 2020.

While I certainly didn't use an AI generative tool to write it, it feels good knowing that what I faked at the time could actually be true today!

Experience

1. Open Source Contributor @ Open edX and more

   2021-08 Present

   I am a core contributor for the Open edX project, by contribution on varies aspects of the platform, from resolving bugs, to suggesting core architecture decision, and customizing or extending the platform. I am motivated to contribute for believes of the open source initiatives in general as well as well for believing in a world where education is freely accessible for the general public.

   Samples

   1. Two awards at Open edX conference 2023

      

      What: I had the honor to be awarded two Awards at Open edX 2023 conference which was, held at MIT.

      Used: docker, i18n, caddy

   2. Bug Fixing

      

      What: fixed varied amount of bugs

      Used: Python, Django, React, MySQL, NodeJS

   3. i18n of documentation

      

      What: Made discovery work, of architecture of the documentation.

      Used: CI-CD, Github-Actions, bash, Transfiex, Sphinx

   4. Contribution to Tutor

      

      What: Tutor is the official supported tool for DevOps of the Open edX platform

      Used: Docker/Docker-Compose, AWS, DevOps, bash

2. Freelancing @ Zaat.dev

   2020-03 Present

   I started Zaatdev, as an agency to build that specialized in building high quality web apps. I take on project and deliver them in a timely manner, and I do build the project either solo (by myself), or with a team depending on the scope of the projects, to learn about what I did.

   Samples

   1. (E-Learning) Madrasafree.com

      

      What: Upgraded an Open edX server with ~100K users 4 versions as well doing customization and extending of the platform.

      Used: AWS, DevOps, Django, MySQL, MongoDB, React, Docker/Docker-compose

   2. (E-commerce) Masgaz.com

      

      What: A blazing fast SEO website, that supports multi-lanagues, content is pulled from DB, and pages will created accordingly, once the site is rebuilt

      Used: Gatsby, React, NodeJS, GraphQL, PostgreSQL

   3. (E-Learning) Madrasafree.com

      

      What: Upgraded an Open edX server with ~100K users 4 versions as well doing customization and extending of the platform.

      Used: AWS, DevOps, Django, MySQL, MongoDB, React, Docker/Docker-compose

3. Fullstack Developer @ Gazaskygeeks/Founder&Coders

   2017-05 2020-01

   My day to day activity involved building and facilitating the development of web apps as an MVP. Using technology like NodeJS, React, PostgreSQL and others, while applying agile/sprint methodology.

   Samples

   1. Semi Hosting Platform

      

      What: Setup a server as a platform for student to showcase their project.

      Used: Nginx, DevOps, NodeJS, React, Docker/Docker-compose, AWS/EC-2

   2. Web apps as MVP

      

      What: Facilitating the development of web apps, by reviewing the system architecture, doing code review, suggesting solutions...etc.

      Used: NodeJS, React, Heroku, AWS/EC-2

Creating Content @ The Web

1. Blog Writing

   Writing blog about technical details

   Samples

   1. DevOps at Zaat.dev

      

      What: fixed varied amount of bugs

      Used: DevOps, nginx, AWS, NodeJS

   2. Machine Learning

      

      What: I wrote an article about machine learning concepts, where I used how humans as metaphor of explaining it.

      Used: Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Transfer Learning

   3. Ghassan.blog

      

      What: On this site I am going

      Used: 11ty, nodejs, opensource, NodeJS

2. Podcast

   Podcast about software engineering, so far I had one episode, Feel free to reach out to me if you a topic would like us to talk about. Thank you!.

   Samples

   1. Data Compliance

      

      What: An open discussion with Tittay a US lawyer specialized in Data Compliance.

      Used: Data Compliance, Privacy

3. Online Session

   Online sessions about technical topics

   Samples

   1. DevOps at Zaat.dev

      

      What: Aata Compliance and privacy laws in the US

      Used: DevOps, nginx, AWS, NodeJS

   2. Summary of AWS training course in Arabic

      

      What: I talked about the basics of AWS services, I made this seesion, just after I passed AWS cloud practitioner exam.

      Used: machine learning, data analytics

Education and Certificates

1. AWS Cloud Computing

   2021-02

   I am certified as cloud participator earned through going AWS official assessment, also I am recognized as a business partner.

   Samples

   1. AWS Cloud Practitioner

      

      What: Official Certification from AWS

      Used: AWS, DevOps, Cloud Computing, Linux, Security, Networking

   2. AWS Business Partner

      

      What: Partner with AWS

      Used:

2. Google Data Analytics

   2021-10

   I have 5 courses by Google on Coursera platform, about Data Analytics. These courses were focused on analyzing for business, how to take insight and transform it to business goal i.e KPI.

   Samples

   1. Foundations Data, Data, Everywhere

      

      What: Define and explain key concepts involved in data analytics including data, data analysis, and data ecosystem

      Used: SQL, Data Collection, Metadata, Spreadsheet

   2. Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions

      

      What: Explain how each step of the problem-solving road map contributes to common analysis scenarios.

      Used: SQL, Data Collection, Metadata, Spreadsheet

   3. Prepare Data for Exploration

      

      What: ExplExplain factors to consider when making decisions about data collection

      Used: SQL, Data Collection, Metadata, Spreadsheet

3. Machine Learning @ deeplearning.ai

   2017-01

   I have taken multiple online courses on the topic of machine learning, mainly in image processing, natural langage processing. Machine Learning has and still is a topic of very high intrest for me. Most of the courses I took here, are taught by Andrew NG.

   Samples

   1. Machine Learning

      

      What: This was first online course I took about machine learning, its may be one of the most popular courses online for people who want to step in the field, it taught by Andrew ng, an AI professor @ Standford.

      Used: Matlab, Machine Learning, Neural Network, Convolutional Neural Network, Deep Learning

   2. Neural Networks and Deep Learning

      

      What: An intro course into neural networks and deep learning.

      Used: Deep Learning, Artificial Neural Network, Backpropagation, Python, Neural Network Architecture

   3. Structuring Machine Learning Projects

      

      What: This course is about approaching a machine learning from project, from a software engineering perspective.

      Used: Tensflow, Machine Learning, Decision-Making, Deep Learning

   4. Improving Deep Neural Networks Hyperparameter Tuning, Regularization and Optimization

      

      What: This course is about how to make machine learning model more efficient. By systematically applying/trying different settings until getting the best result, aka global optima.

      Used: Tensflow, Keras, Hyperparameter Tuning, Deep Learning

   5. Convolutional Neural Networks

      

      What: This course focused on the field of image recognition, which is a sub field of machine learning. It involved training model from scratch, as well as using tranfer learning on image datasets.

      Used: Tensflow, Keras, Facial Recognition System, Object Detection and Segmentation, Convolutional Neural Network, Deep Learning