User:JLafont

Draft:

• Basics

         o Write a small introduction to yourself.

I'm Juan Lafont. I'm currently a Computer Science Major at the University of Dayton. I've been a gamer most of my life and I'm interested in AI.

         o State your preferred email address.

juanmy777 at gmail dot com

         o If you have chosen a nick for IRC and Wesnoth forums, what is it?
I'm JLafont in both IRC and the Forums.
         o Why do you want to participate in summer of code?

I'm interested in contributing to Open source projects and I think it will be a learning and great experience.

         o What are you studying, subject, level and school? 

I'm a Computer Science student at the University of Dayton. I'm one semester away from graduation and I am currently taking Advanced AI, although in previous years I have learned about Graphics, Software Testing, and Software Development to name a few.

   * Experience
         o What programs/software have you worked on before?

I have worked mostly on course projects with my AI and Graphics projects being my most extensive.

         o Have you developed software in a team environment before? (As opposed to hacking on something on your own)

Not particularly. I have done many group assignments and have some minimal experience in SVN

         o Have you participated to the Google Summer of Code before? As a mentor or a student? In what project? Were you successful? If not, why?

This is my first time participating in Google Summer of Code

         o What development model would you use (e.g. keywords: V-model, XP programming, agile programming, iterative; with the help of prototyping, formal specifications, tests, etc).

I was considering the Spiral development model.

         o Open Source
               + Are you already involved with any open source development projects? If yes, please describe the project and the scope of your involvement.

I am not currently involved in open source projects

         o Gaming experience
               + Are you a gamer? If so...

I have been a gamer for most of my life.

               + What type of gamer are you?

I'm more of a medium-core gamer. I vary from casual and hardcore most of the time. I throughly enjoy games that challenge me and value fun over graphics.

               + What type of games?

I like to play almost any kind of game although my favorites are RPGs and Strategy games.

               + What type of opponents do you prefer?

I prefer aggresive opponents who challenge me with new tactics and don't necesarily follow "cookie-cutter" builds or strategies.

               + Are you more interested in story or gameplay?

I would say both. Gameplay is essential in any game but a good story can keep me hooked despite less than optimal gameplay. I believe it falls to a balance between them.

               + Have you played Wesnoth? If so, tell us roughly for how long and whether you lean towards single player or multiplayer. 

I first played Wesnoth around a year ago. I started playing the campaigns and realized I was bad and it discouraged me a little. I recently picked it up again, and decided to push through the complexity and I find that I am addicted to it. I have mostly stuck to the campaigns so far and will hope to get into multiplayer once I become more comfortable with the game.

We do not plan to favor Wesnoth players as such, but some particular projects require a good feeling for the game which is hard to get without having played intensively.

   * Communication skills
         o Though most of our developers are not native English speakers, English is the project's working language. Describe your fluency level in written English.

I have been speaking English for most of my life and consider myself to be very fluent in it.

         o Are you good at interacting with other players? Our developer community is friendly, but the player community can be a bit rough.

As a game myself, I can understand how hostile players can be to developers. I believe that I can handle speaking with most players and I can also empathize with them.

         o Do you give constructive advice?

I would like to think so. I try to point out excellence or flaws in anything I am asked to give criticism on. I do tend to joke around sometimes and those are not always the most constructive to solving a problem.

         o Do you receive advice well?

I always ask people to give me the most honest and bluntest opinion on anything I do. I believe that good constructive criticism is more valuable to me than praise. Good advice is a great way to improve.

         o Are you good at sorting useful criticisms from useless ones? 

I always try to evaluate criticism and ensure that what is being criticized makes sense and useful to me.

   * Project
         o Did you select a project from our list? If that is the case, what project did you select?
         o If you have invented your own project, please describe the project and the scope.
         o Why did you choose this project?
         o Include an estimated timeline for your work on the project
         o Include as much technical detail about your implementation as you can
         o What do you expect to gain from this project?
         o What would make you stay in the Wesnoth community after the conclusion of SOC? 

   * Practical considerations
         o Are you familiar with any of the following tools?
               + Subversion
               + C++
               + Python 

I have used C++ extensively. I have some experience with Subversion and Python but it is very limited.

         o Which tools do you normally use for development? Why do you use them?
         o What programming languages are you fluent in?

C and C++. I am learning Python right now.

         o What spoken languages are you fluent in?

English and Spanish. I am also learning German right now.

         o At what hours are you awake (please specify in UTC)

12:00 - 23:00 UTC

         o Would you mind talking with your mentor on telephone / internet phone? 

Not at all. I think meeting new people is a great benefit to being in GSoC.

   * Detailed answer (optional, but writing skill is a good predictor of ability to work on a programming team, so you will improve your chances by responding to this).
         o Write a small essay (750-1000 words or more) explaining why you want to participate in a Wesnoth GSoC project. You can use the above questions as guides, but feel free to throw in more information if you feel it is relevant.
         o What is your perception of 'open source'? Briefly explain what you think of the whole 'open source' concept, how you discovered open source, what you expect to gain/experience by participating in an open-source project. (Answer separately or as part of above mini-essay)
         o What motivates or inspires you to write programs and develop software?