Garvin Hicking

I've started to work with TYPO3 as a PHP developer nearly 25 years ago, in 2001.

I enjoy using TYPO3 (especially with the rapid Extbase integration) to achieve a great mixture between a CMS and a framework. Having a very structured backend with records and a pagetree is very helpful for the many projects I've used it as part of my employment with Faktor E GmbH in Bonn (Germany).

After the birth of my two kids I wanted to get back into contributing to OpenSource, which I've done before with my involvement in PHPMyAdmin and Serendipity (a blog system). I immensely enjoy helping people and getting to know their needs and problems, and with that process learning to improve myself.

I've since started helping in the Documentation Team of TYPO3, and since June 2024 I've been accepted as a TYPO3 Framework Merger. I do a lot of community work and issue triaging, code reviewing and occassionally submit the odd patch myself. I love pin-pointing and debugging problems and understanding mechanics.

Learning from the technical advancements of a well-established CMS and understanding the infrastructure of its development has hugely impacted my efficiency with TYPO3. Getting to know many of the people behind the project has created a feeling of community and belong, that I cherish.

Some other key facts about me: I love being a dad of two, I strongly believe in bringing positivity to human connections and interactions, seeing happy people and solving problems. “Woke” is not a negative term for me. I dislike destructive criticism, singled-mindedness, Crypto-Scams and people relying on “AI” when they in fact get a “LLM”. Also, I am a top-tier Marvel Puzzle Quest professional player, wasting away all the rare sparetime I get. And I enjoy video-games and movies/TV series.

– "Think about what you put out into the world. Make it a better place." — Jeff Cannata