About

My name is Jacob Haug. People who know me, describe me as a tornado. My mind is always whirling with ideas and projects. I have volumes of pent up energy that sometimes just rises to the top and erupts like a volcano, resulting in lots of sleepless nights spent solving web problems or finishing up an application. Can I be both a tornado and a volcano? Well, why not! I admit, I am sometimes a force to be reckoned with. I’m generally very easy-going. But, I’m somewhat obsessive about getting things done and getting them done the right way. As long as you can get on board with that, we’ll get along just fine.

I cut my teeth years ago on a site called “Webforumz.” The owner traveled a lot and didn’t always have his heart in the business. He gave me administrative access and a lot of freedom. Soon, and at quite a young age, I became the “go to” man. I ran that forum for several years, designating staff and overseeing the everyday business details. During that time, I created and staffed a new web magazine called “Creative Coding.” I found that I enjoyed managing and organizing and had a terrific team in place. Linda Chadbourne, Karrine Legault and I were spending an extraordinary amount of time volunteering there at the Webforumz. Then, the crazy geeks that we were, one day someone floated the idea that maybe we should break away and start our own business. We wanted to create a web design magazine that would squeeze all the new web trends into one fun and friendly location. And so, The Web Squeeze became my next venture.

In February of 2008, Linda, Karrine and I broke away and started The Web Squeeze (TWS). We are still busy there. I am managing director and chief technical officer. I handle server management and maintenance, the content delivery network (CDN), application development, magazine development, search engine optimization (SEO), site security, and whatever else comes my way. We also ventured into hosting with sister companies called Collision Hosting and soon to open Collision Trust. I handle support tickets for these companies as well.

While developing The Web Squeeze, I realized how much I enjoyed working on the backend of websites. I had started a web design company years before, and had built many websites, but I discovered that my heart is really elsewhere. What I really enjoy is the coding side. I took a couple of classes in PHP and Linux and loved them! I can’t get enough and often write programs incorporating commands from both of these programs.

I met Stuart through The Web Squeeze, too. He is a talented designer, fantastic coder, and we enjoy working together. My newest project is a joint venture with Stuart called Backend Labs, Inc. We are building some great applications that we hope to get on the market soon. Two products I developed to market through Backend Labs are Landlord, MD for real estate managers, and a framework called CodifyIt for developers. And, we will soon add a Webmaster Toolbox to The Web Squeeze.

What do I do on the side? Pretty much more of the same. As a part of my design business I branched into tutoring and teaching computer skills. I found that there are a lot of retired folks who need help selecting what kind of computer to buy, then they need help to set it up and learn how to use it. I enjoy seeing how happy and proud it makes them to be able to do even the simplest computer functions. I am active in my church and lots of times help members for free. Or, sometimes I get a meal out of it, so I guess you really could say I “Will work for food.” I also am helping to network 17 of our church buildings. I always have someplace I can go network in my spare time. I don’t really enjoy networking — but they had cool equipment so I couldn’t resist.

Recently, I completed a degree in Web Technology…not because I wanted to, but because I know sometimes you just need the piece of paper. I like paper. I am thinking of getting my RHCT & RHCE so I can add that paper to the little pile I am starting.

One of the great loves of my life is my dog, “Cyber.” I’ve had her for about a year now, and hope to start training her for search and rescue. I tried to teach her how to get online, but her lack of opposable thumbs makes using the space bar very difficult. Cyber likes to ride “shotgun” with me when I drive to Taco Bell. Sometimes, the girls at the Bell put extra nachos in my bag because she is just so darn cute!