Welcome

Hi, I’m coolcow: software developer, tinkerer and, most days, a calm cow. This is my small corner of the web, with a bit about who I am, what I work with and what keeps me busy in my spare time.

About Me

I am a cross-border commuter, living in France (Sarreguemines) with my wife and our two children in our home with a garden. I have a university diploma (Diplom) in Practical Computer Science, and I work in Germany as a software developer. I speak German and French fluently, and with English I feel very comfortable when listening, while speaking still takes a little extra courage sometimes.

Interests & Mindset

I am naturally curious and pretty science-minded, so I usually look at things with critical evidence-based thinking. Astrophysics, computers and technology have always drawn me in, and that curiosity still shapes how I learn and how I work. In my free time you will find me:

  • At home: tinkering with home automation, running a small homelab, 3D printing, keeping freshwater aquariums, and collecting tools for home projects that I absolutely plan to finish one day.
  • In the air: flying RC planes and drones. My childhood dream is to fly a real plane myself one day, with a glider license or even a private pilot license. Until then, I do my flying in flight simulators.
  • Under the stars: astrophotography, currently on pause until the kids are old enough for me to trade bedtime duty for the occasional long night outside.
  • Roots: genealogy, especially researching the stories of my Spanish ancestors.
  • On hold: motorcycle riding, which I really enjoyed until my first child was born. For now I mostly enjoy the memories, and I might start again when the kids are a bit older.

Technical Skills

These are the languages, platforms and tools I work with day to day.

  • Languages Java (Spring, Spring Boot, Swing, JUnit) JavaScript (Node.js, React) Python Shell scripting
  • APIs REST GraphQL
  • Databases PostgreSQL H2 MySQL SQLite Microsoft SQL Server
  • Infrastructure Linux server administration Docker GitHub Actions Jenkins GitLab CI
  • Tools Git GitHub GitLab IntelliJ IDEA VS Code Vim

Why “coolcow”?

Back around 2000, in the days of ICQ numbers and LAN parties, I needed a nickname for Counter-Strike. My best friend already had one that suited him perfectly: crazysheep, so I copied the same pattern: adjective plus animal, ideally something farm-related.

“cool” came first, because staying calm is something I have always tried to practice. “cow” followed, inspired by one of my favorite mental images: a cow peacefully chewing grass next to a noisy highway, completely unimpressed by the chaos around it. That image turned into a small life philosophy: stay calm, keep chewing, and do not panic. And that is how coolcow was born, a name that has stayed with me ever since as my alter ego wherever one is required.

          _( ~ )_
( moo! )   )O^O(
        ` ( @_@ )
           )   (

Say Hello

Questions, ideas, or just want to talk about home automation, 3D printing or RC planes? Write me at mail@coolcow.org, in German, French or English. You can also find me on GitHub.