Elias Antonopoulos
You can read a few words about Ilias Antonopoulos, founder of AlterMarket.
I chose to do what I love and am really interested in (computer science) rather than what I studied (Medical Instrumentation Engineering).
Like many others, my formal education (studies, degree) is different and the subject I work and make a living with is different!
I studied Medical Instrumentation Engineering. I have an MSc e-commerce. Self-taught in computer science with non-stop study. Now a computer science student at EAP.
Before the beginning
My “journey” in the field of computers and computing started in 1983 with a movie called War Games. In it, a teenager(Matthew Broderick) who uses a computer to win over a beautiful girl(Ally Sheedy). In between… he prevents World War 3.
The computer bug got into my system. I studied magazines like RAM, Byte, Computer for All that were published at the time.
The others are writing scripts in the school office. I write sections of code. Did I tell you that Matthew Broderick in the movie was the nerd?
Thanks to the sacrifices of my parents, I get my first computer. An Amstrad 664 bought from Stournari Street, which was then the Silicon Valley of Athens. At that time and for many, many years to come, very few people had computers, because very few were interested in owning one.
I studied Medical Instrumentation Engineering at TEI of Athens. (Degree number 1 please!)
At the same time I am learning to program in Assembly and Basic. My bible is the famous book
I am setting up the first Greek program for the study and analysis of sleep apnea at the Sismanoglio hospital.
I’m going into the army. 18 months. I’m awarded the rank of Sergeant.
I returned to work for a medical instrumentation company with biochemical analyzers.
The beginning
But the IT “germ” is there.
I’m dropping everything and starting my own company. Back then it was just called “Elias Antonopoulos”, a sole proprietorship.
I start setting up computer networks with Novell Netware and develop computer programs by programming in Visual Basic as the front-end and using the Microsoft Access database as the back-end. Very advanced for their time.
I refuse to deal with “accounting applications”. Computers can do so much more interesting things! Right or wrong from a business point of view, the autopsy will show.
I am one of the first to get Internet in Greece. A new magical world is starting to open up in front of me. Contacts with the whole world. There are no more borders in knowledge.
A valuable companion throughout this journey is the technical bookstore Papasotiriou in Stournari. My libraries are filled with books “bricks” full of useful knowledge. Magical times!
I’m starting to learn ASP.NET, PHP, Javascript, CSS, HTML.
In 1998 I build my first dynamic site with ASP (Active Server Pages) for a large hygiene products dealership in Greece. Extremely advanced for its time.
In 2000, the company acquired the distinctive title AlterMarket.
I have been teaching for several years and I have met amazing people with dreams and aspirations. I hope I have played a small part in their success.
And so we get to 2004 where I decide to leave everything I was doing until then and focus on the Internet and related technologies.
I write and publish 4 books on Open Source Content Management Systems. Two of them, I have had the honor to use in universities in Greece.
I am doing my Master’s degree in e-Commerce at Kingston University UK.
I come in contact with OpenSource Content Management Systems( CMS), such as Mambo, Joomla, Elxis. I learn how they work and use them to develop client sites.
In 2010, I create kalliergo.gr. A very successful website aimed at those who want to grow their own vegetables, fruits, fruit trees.
I’m heavily involved in Online Marketing. I use Google Ads (formerly Google Adwords) to run client advertising campaigns on the Internet.
In 2013 Google invited me for a series of seminars aimed at Google High Flyers.
I become a Google Partner.
I’m discovering WordPress and the whole ecosystem that exists around this open source CMS.
I help many businesses (large and small) get the most out of the Internet.
I approach their presence on the Internet holistically. What they want to achieve. How much they can afford to pay in a highly competitive environment.
Now I am involved in what is called Online Marketing. A series of actions (such as web design, web hosting, online advertising, digital marketing, social media) that aim to promote a business and acquire and retain customers.
This whole course has taught me a lot.
Not only in technical, but also in business.
In the psychology of entrepreneurs and consumers.
In how I want and desire can meet with honesty.
How technology and knowledge can help in this.
Permanent Student
To end this presentation, let me tell you that I declare myself a permanent student.
I haven’t stopped for a minute to update and learn.
And with what I know, to try to help people behind businesses (big or small).
Always guided by honesty, honesty and a genuine desire to succeed for those who deserve and want it.
Proof of “I declare myself a permanent student” is that I started studying Computer Science at the Hellenic Open University in 2023. I have successfully passed all the courses and am now studying in my third year.
You can contact contact me.
Thank you for your time!
Elias I. Antonopoulos
