Hey, I'm Servaas

I grew up near Ghent and moved to Leuven to study Computer Science. Leuven kinda grew on me, it's cozy but still lively, and I like that. I started programming at 12, making websites in GeoCities (some goofy WYSIWYG web platform that's now extinct). Then came PHP4 and MySQL, with me basically dragging files into Apache's www dir over FTP. Things were simpler back then </old_man_mode>.

I spent years building enterprise software: distributed systems, microservices, CQRS, message queues, all that jazz. I learned a lot about building software that has to keep working when thousands of people depend on it. But I also learned I wanted to be closer to the product and the people using it. So now I help build and ship small to medium-sized web applications, usually full-stack, usually with small teams or solo. I've written C#, TypeScript, Python, and Elixir professionally, but I'm a problem solver at heart and will use whatever tool works best. Now often with AI.

Other than that, I've learned that all that screen time needs some counterbalance. I do that by spending time in nature. I volunteer weekly in Meerdaalwoud, the forest south of Leuven. I go canyoning when I can, which, if you're unfamiliar, is a sport where you descend a river through a canyon with ropes. It's very much a team sport and you're completely surrounded by nature, which I love. On the tamer side, I also like to go on multi-day treks with tent and backpack. I added some pictures of my favorite moments below.

I'd love to hear what you're working on. Send me an email.