I’m Joe Cowman, a full-stack software engineer, user interface designer, musician, and open-source enthusiast from Omaha, Nebraska.
I spend much of my time, as the legendary Fred Brooks put it, working “only slightly removed from pure thought stuff.” I'm fascinated by the art and craft of building software, and I love working with both sides of my brain to develop things that are not only functionally sound, but also creative and fun.
I’m especially passionate about using technology for education and other good-focused causes. I was a youth robotics coach for years, have been involved with several nonprofits, and briefly co-led an organization dedicated to reducing harmful textile waste. I’m inspired by industry leaders who have used their skills and blessings to change the world in positive ways. My dream is to have a similar impact through doing what I love—building neat software.
My journey started in Nebraska, but I’ve followed this dream to Silicon Valley, Seattle, and beyond. Whether I’m building animated menu components for a startup, reimagining Facebook features so they can work on basic platforms without JavaScript support, or designing an open-source library that lets you play games just by talking to them, I love every technical constraint and seek to push the boundaries of what can be achieved, discovering “things that never were nor could be.”
