The Battle for Wesnoth Wiki - User contributions [en]

SummerOfCodeProposal mrfinch

2009-03-24T20:01:13Z

Mrfinch:

'''1) Basics''' 
'''''1.1) Write a small introduction to yourself.''''' 
Hello! My name is Adam, I am a 21y/o first year student living in Newcastle, UK.

'''''1.2) State your preferred email address.''''' 
mrfinch@gmail.com is a good place to catch me via email

'''''1.3) If you have chosen a nick for IRC and Wesnoth forums, what is it?''''' 
Both nicknames for each are 'mrfinch'

'''''1.4) Why do you want to participate in Summer of Code?''''' 
I want to further my skills in programming by doing something worthwhile that will be used by other people and not just for myself.

'''''1.5) What are you studying, subject, level and school?''''' 
I am currently studying Computer Science at Newcastle University. I am a first year Undergraduate.

'''''1.6) If you have contributed any patches to Wesnoth, please list them below. You can also list patches that have been submitted but not committed yet and patches that have not been specifically written for Wesnoth. If you have gained commit access to our SVN (during the evaluation period or earlier) please state so.''''' 
I haven't done any of the above.

 '''2) Experience''' 
'''''2.1) What programs/software have you worked on before?''''' 
I haven't worked on any large scale projects. Just small Javascript/Java/PHP programs for personal use as well as University mandated projects.

'''''2.2) Have you developed software in a team environment before? (As opposed to hacking on something on your own)''''' 
I haven't had the chance to code as part of a team before.

'''''2.3) 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?''''' 
No

 '''2.4) Open Source''' 
'''''2.4.1) Are you already involved with any open source development projects? If yes, please describe the project and the scope of your involvement.''''' 
I'm not, however I am applying for other SoC projects.

'''''2.5) Gaming experience - Are you a gamer?''''' 
I am a gamer, I have been gaming since I was a little lad

'''''2.5.1) What type of gamer are you?''''' 
Due to University commitments, I am a more casual/recreational gamer. During the Summer I tend to be more hardcore.

'''''2.5.2) What type of games?''''' 
I generally enjoy playing sports games, driving games and adventure games. I am a big fan of the current trend of games whereby you "chose your own ending" (Bioshock, GTA VI etc)

'''''2.5.3) What type of opponents do you prefer?''''' 
Ones that give a firm challenge and are enjoyable to play against.

'''''2.5.4) Are you more interested in story or gameplay?''''' 
A little bit of both is nice. I prefer to actually play the game I am buying, but some meat behind it is nice. Games these days don't have much longevity.

'''''2.5.5) Have you played Wesnoth? If so, tell us roughly for how long and whether you lean towards single player or multiplayer.''''' 
I have not, but I will be trying it out in the next few weeks.

 '''3) Communication skills''' 
'''''3.1) 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 was born in the UK and English in my first language. I am very comfortable in it.

'''''3.2) Are you good at interacting with other players? Our developer community is friendly, but the player community can be a bit rough.''''' 
I am described as a people person! I can talk to anyone, I am fine interacting with people who are sometimes a little rough around the edges. Comes with the territory.

'''''3.3) Do you give constructive advice?''''' 
Almost always.

'''''3.4) Do you receive advice well?''''' 
I like to think I do, I am always happy to be given it!

'''''3.5) Are you good at sorting useful criticisms from useless ones?''''' 
I tend to take all criticism on board, but can definitely filter out the less useful ideas.

 '''4) Project''' 
'''''4.1) Did you select a project from our list? If that is the case, what project did you select? What do you want to especially concentrate on?''''' 
I selected the Stats Server Project -- I feel this is at a level I can thrive on.

'''''4.2) If you have invented your own project, please describe the project and the scope.''''' 
-

'''''4.3) Why did you choose this project?''''' 
There are people out there who are incredibly versatile and talented coders, I however am not on that level and would prefer to take on a project that I feel I can learn invaluable lessons from rather than beating my head against a brick wall.

'''''4.4) Include an estimated timeline for your work on the project. Don't forget to mention special things like "I booked holidays between A and B" and "I got an exam at ABC and won't be doing much then".''''' 
At the time of student project announcements (Apr20) I will be starting my final 8 weeks of University and won't have a terrible amount to do other than revising and can do a good amount of work on the project. 
Between May21 and Jun03 I have University exams, and therefore won't be able to concentrate as much on the project as I would like.

'''May 23''' - Start work on the project, start to build test data and implement basic statistics 
'''May 30''' - Will not be able to concentrate on the project due to exams 
'''Jun 06''' - Start to play around with the Google Chart API, using a ready made chart program will increase efficiency and ease-of-improvement 
'''Jun 13''' - Continue work on the Google Chart method, whilst also thinking about a PHP/Python built chart system (on-the-fly graphics) -- show code as it is and gain further guidance 
'''Jun 20''' - Take on advice from mentors and add further ideas 
'''Aug 10..17''' - Hand in finished project

'''''4.5) Include as much technical detail about your implementation as you can''''' 
Current I am thinking of coding the project in either PHP, Python or Ruby. I am very fond of PHP, but I am wanting a reason to learn and utilise Ruby on Rails for it's agility in such conditions.

I want to make graphs using the language I choose if possible, however I will rely on Google Charts as it's already there and it's incredibly powerful and verbose for this sort of project.

'''''4.6) What do you expect to gain from this project?''''' 
Invaluable experience in server-side languages and building statistics from data. I will put the skills I've learnt into practice in my degree program as it is a very practical degree and I am coding a lot of programs for coursework.

'''''4.7) What would make you stay in the Wesnoth community after the conclusion of SOC?''''' 
I will be well versed in what I make, and would like to see it used! I am fond of turn based strategy and strategy games in general!

 '''5) Practical considerations''' 
'''''5.1) Are you familiar with any of the following tools or languages?''''' 

* Subversion (used for all commits) 
* C++ (language used for all the normal source code) 
* Python (optional, mainly used for tools) 
* build environments (eg cmake/autotools/scons) 

I am new to SVN and currently use it for University projects. I've had little exposure to C++ as I am learning Java but have a book lying around. Python I have played around with a little in the past and I know a small amount on.

'''''5.2) Which tools do you normally use for development? Why do you use them?''''' 
For Java I used Eclipse, it's very powerful and does exactly what I want. 
For web-dev/server-side coding, I use Smultron (freeware mac client) - it's lightweight and does exactly what it says on the tin.

'''''5.3) What programming languages are you fluent in?''''' 
I have extended experience in PHP and Java.

'''''5.4) What spoken languages are you fluent in?''''' 
English

'''''5.5) At what hours are you awake and when will you be able to be in IRC (please specify in UTC)''''' 
I can be on IRC 24 hours a day for messages to be left. 
Mon-Fri I can be on IRC 1400-1900 UTC

'''''5.6) Would you mind talking with your mentor on telephone / internet phone? We would like to have a backup way for communications for the case that somehow emails and IRC do fail.''''' 
Happy to talk via Skype or Telephone!

SummerOfCodeProposal mrfinch

2009-03-24T20:00:33Z

Mrfinch:

'''1) Basics''' 
'''''1.1) Write a small introduction to yourself.''''' 
Hello! My name is Adam, I am a 21y/o first year student living in Newcastle, UK.

'''''1.2) State your preferred email address.''''' 
mrfinch@gmail.com is a good place to catch me via email

'''''1.3) If you have chosen a nick for IRC and Wesnoth forums, what is it?''''' 
Both nicknames for each are 'mrfinch'

'''''1.4) Why do you want to participate in Summer of Code?''''' 
I want to further my skills in programming by doing something worthwhile that will be used by other people and not just for myself.

'''''1.5) What are you studying, subject, level and school?''''' 
I am currently studying Computer Science at Newcastle University. I am a first year Undergraduate.

'''''1.6) If you have contributed any patches to Wesnoth, please list them below. You can also list patches that have been submitted but not committed yet and patches that have not been specifically written for Wesnoth. If you have gained commit access to our SVN (during the evaluation period or earlier) please state so.''''' 
I haven't done any of the above.

 '''2) Experience''' 
'''''2.1) What programs/software have you worked on before?''''' 
I haven't worked on any large scale projects. Just small Javascript/Java/PHP programs for personal use as well as University mandated projects.

'''''2.2) Have you developed software in a team environment before? (As opposed to hacking on something on your own)''''' 
I haven't had the chance to code as part of a team before.

'''''2.3) 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?''''' 
No

 '''2.4) Open Source''' 
'''''2.4.1) Are you already involved with any open source development projects? If yes, please describe the project and the scope of your involvement.''''' 
I'm not, however I am applying for other SoC projects.

'''''2.5) Gaming experience - Are you a gamer?''''' 
I am a gamer, I have been gaming since I was a little

'''''2.5.1) What type of gamer are you?''''' 
Due to University commitments, I am a more casual/recreational gamer. During the Summer I tend to be more hardcore.

'''''2.5.2) What type of games?''''' 
I generally enjoy playing sports games, driving games and adventure games. I am a big fan of the current trend of games whereby you "chose your own ending" (Bioshock, GTA VI etc)

'''''2.5.3) What type of opponents do you prefer?''''' 
Ones that give a firm challenge and are enjoyable to play against.

'''''2.5.4) Are you more interested in story or gameplay?''''' 
A little bit of both is nice. I prefer to actually play the game I am buying, but some meat behind it is nice. Games these days don't have much longevity.

'''''2.5.5) Have you played Wesnoth? If so, tell us roughly for how long and whether you lean towards single player or multiplayer.''''' 
I have not, but I will be trying it out in the next few weeks.

 '''3) Communication skills''' 
'''''3.1) 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 was born in the UK and English in my first language. I am very comfortable in it.

'''''3.2) Are you good at interacting with other players? Our developer community is friendly, but the player community can be a bit rough.''''' 
I am described as a people person! I can talk to anyone, I am fine interacting with people who are sometimes a little rough around the edges. Comes with the territory.

'''''3.3) Do you give constructive advice?''''' 
Almost always.

'''''3.4) Do you receive advice well?''''' 
I like to think I do, I am always happy to be given it!

'''''3.5) Are you good at sorting useful criticisms from useless ones?''''' 
I tend to take all criticism on board, but can definitely filter out the less useful ideas.

 '''4) Project''' 
'''''4.1) Did you select a project from our list? If that is the case, what project did you select? What do you want to especially concentrate on?''''' 
I selected the Stats Server Project -- I feel this is at a level I can thrive on.

'''''4.2) If you have invented your own project, please describe the project and the scope.''''' 
-

'''''4.3) Why did you choose this project?''''' 
There are people out there who are incredibly versatile and talented coders, I however am not on that level and would prefer to take on a project that I feel I can learn invaluable lessons from rather than beating my head against a brick wall.

'''''4.4) Include an estimated timeline for your work on the project. Don't forget to mention special things like "I booked holidays between A and B" and "I got an exam at ABC and won't be doing much then".''''' 
At the time of student project announcements (Apr20) I will be starting my final 8 weeks of University and won't have a terrible amount to do other than revising and can do a good amount of work on the project. 
Between May21 and Jun03 I have University exams, and therefore won't be able to concentrate as much on the project as I would like.

'''May 23''' - Start work on the project, start to build test data and implement basic statistics 
'''May 30''' - Will not be able to concentrate on the project due to exams 
'''Jun 06''' - Start to play around with the Google Chart API, using a ready made chart program will increase efficiency and ease-of-improvement 
'''Jun 13''' - Continue work on the Google Chart method, whilst also thinking about a PHP/Python built chart system (on-the-fly graphics) -- show code as it is and gain further guidance 
'''Jun 20''' - Take on advice from mentors and add further ideas 
'''Aug 10..17''' - Hand in finished project

'''''4.5) Include as much technical detail about your implementation as you can''''' 
Current I am thinking of coding the project in either PHP, Python or Ruby. I am very fond of PHP, but I am wanting a reason to learn and utilise Ruby on Rails for it's agility in such conditions.

I want to make graphs using the language I choose if possible, however I will rely on Google Charts as it's already there and it's incredibly powerful and verbose for this sort of project.

'''''4.6) What do you expect to gain from this project?''''' 
Invaluable experience in server-side languages and building statistics from data. I will put the skills I've learnt into practice in my degree program as it is a very practical degree and I am coding a lot of programs for coursework.

'''''4.7) What would make you stay in the Wesnoth community after the conclusion of SOC?''''' 
I will be well versed in what I make, and would like to see it used! I am fond of turn based strategy and strategy games in general!

 '''5) Practical considerations''' 
'''''5.1) Are you familiar with any of the following tools or languages?''''' 

* Subversion (used for all commits) 
* C++ (language used for all the normal source code) 
* Python (optional, mainly used for tools) 
* build environments (eg cmake/autotools/scons) 

I am new to SVN and currently use it for University projects. I've had little exposure to C++ as I am learning Java but have a book lying around. Python I have played around with a little in the past and I know a small amount on.

'''''5.2) Which tools do you normally use for development? Why do you use them?''''' 
For Java I used Eclipse, it's very powerful and does exactly what I want. 
For web-dev/server-side coding, I use Smultron (freeware mac client) - it's lightweight and does exactly what it says on the tin.

'''''5.3) What programming languages are you fluent in?''''' 
I have extended experience in PHP and Java.

'''''5.4) What spoken languages are you fluent in?''''' 
English

'''''5.5) At what hours are you awake and when will you be able to be in IRC (please specify in UTC)''''' 
I can be on IRC 24 hours a day for messages to be left. 
Mon-Fri I can be on IRC 1400-1900 UTC

'''''5.6) Would you mind talking with your mentor on telephone / internet phone? We would like to have a backup way for communications for the case that somehow emails and IRC do fail.''''' 
Happy to talk via Skype or Telephone!

SummerOfCodeIdeas

2009-03-24T16:52:56Z

Mrfinch: /* Implement campaign statistics reports on stats.wesnoth.org */

This is a compilation of ideas from ML. Needs to be refined (more detailed description, deliverables, workload estimation?):

== I want to be one of your Google Summer of Code students, what should I do... ==

Here is a quick list of things to do to get you started
* Create an account on gna.org
* Create an account on the wesnoth forum, and tell an admin on the IRC channel to mark is as a GSoC Student account (Admins are boucman, Ivanovic, mordante, Shadow_Master, Sirp and Turuk)
* Join the irc channel (#wesnoth-dev on irc.freenode.net) and introduce yourself. We will not give formal interviews, but we will clearly favor people we have learned to know during the selection process (basically communication via IRC is mandatory for our project! it is the main way of "every day communication" for Wesnoth. For the same reason, it's also a good idea to regularly read the [http://wesnoth.debian.net/?C=M;O=A IRC logs].).

* Start a wiki page about your idea, add a link on the bottom of this page and add this information on it:
** List your account names (gna, forum, irc nick) so that we can recognize you
** Fill the questionnaire on this page: [[SoC_Information_for_Google#Does_your_organization_have_an_application_template_you_would_like_to_see_students_use.3F_If_so.2C_please_provide_it_now.| List of questions to answer]]
** Detail your idea as much as possible, look at other students pages, and please give milestones and studies you've done
** Add a link to the page at the bottom of this page

* Though not mandatory, it is highly advisable to go to the [[EasyCoding]] and [[NotSoEasyCoding]] pages and implement one of these ideas (or any idea of similar scope) so we have an idea how you work. Be sure to use your gna account when submitting these patches so we know who it is coming from. You can also implement some features from our feature request database at gna. When you implement something, also list it on your own page with a reference to the patch.

* For working on Wesnoth you have to be able to compile trunk. To do so you should have a look at the [[WesnothSVN|page about svn]] and afterwards [[CompilingWesnoth|compile Wesnoth svn]].

* Once you have everything done here and think your idea is okay, go to [http://groups.google.com/group/google-summer-of-code-announce/web/guide-to-the-gsoc-web-app-for-student-applicants page at google] to submit your application. You have to submit it before '''Date to be supplied later''' or you have no chance to get in!

== List of Ideas for the Project (Suggestions from the wesnoth developers) ==

Here is only a short description of possible Ideas we have, each has a page of its own with a more detailed version on it.

=== Optimize implementation of WML for memory usage ===

Based on this idea: [http://dave.wesnoth.org/?p=9] optimize WML to minimize its memory usage. High memory usage has been a problem for Wesnoth, and this project will aim to reduce it.

=== Implement campaign statistics reports on stats.wesnoth.org ===

Wesnoth has an infrastructure which records details of campaigns that players play into a centralized MySQL database. However, we only have rudimentary reports based on this MySQL database available at this time, at [http://stats.wesnoth.org].

This project would involve writing a stats reporting web site which would take the data from the MySQL database and produce reports in chart and table form. Campaign designers would be able to use these reports to gather feedback on their campaigns and get ideas for improvements.

A student could largely make their choice of infrastructure for creating the Website -- whether they prefer Python, Perl, Ruby, PHP, etc. This is a great opportunity for someone who doesn't want to dive into hardcore C++ to make a valuable contribution to Wesnoth.

[[SoC Ideas Stats Server]] - Full Version of the idea, with detailed information

=== Extending the Multiplayer server ===

Our multiplayer community is generally strong and healthy, but we believe its growth is limited by some problems in the interface of the multiplayer lobby.

[[SoC Ideas Multiplayer server]] - Full version of the idea, with detailed information

=== Addon server ===
Wesnoth has an addon server which offers users to upload user
made content (UMC). This allows all other users of Wesnoth
to easily download and install this content. The server was
originally written for user-made campaigns but contains a lot
more types of addons nowadays. Both the server side and the
client side need to be improved.

[[SoC Ideas Addon Server]] - Full version of the idea, with detailed information

=== WML validation schemes ===
Wesnoth uses WML as basic data structure. Over the years
this language has evolved and got more complex. At the
moment the WML is validated at runtime and in case of a
problem the engine stops. With schemes these problems can
be validated when loading the WML, making it easier to find
problems before running into them.

[[SoC Ideas Schemes]] - Full version of the idea, with detailed information

=== Write a primitive library for Formula AI ===

Wesnoth has always had a simple C++ based AI. David (our lead developer) has been working on a simple language to write AI in Wesnoth: [[FormulaAI]]

The Wesnoth AI is used as an opponent in most campaigns, and as such is an important piece of code for the Wesnoth project. Unfortunately, because the skills required to understand and modify it are rather arcane, it is also one of the most neglected parts of the Wesnoth code. This is a place where a lot of research and useful work could be done. But keep in mind that [[WhyWritingAWesnothAIIsHard|writing an AI for Wesnoth is difficult]].

Writing a whole AI is so complicated that we believe it can't be done in a single Summer of code. All proposals should keep that in mind and try to identify an interesting subset that would be workable in the limited time of a summer of code

[[SoC Ideas FormulaAI]] - Full version of the idea, with detailed information

=== Savegame reorganization ===
The savegame formats of Wesnoth for single player campaigns
and multiplayer differ from each other. And they are processed
differently as well. Now there is an additional request coming
up: Multiplayer campaigns. The task will be to unify the savegames
for all types of scenarios in order to provide a maintainable code
again.

[[SoC Ideas Savegame]] - Full version of the idea, with detailed information

=== Other possible ideas to be fleshed out ===
A MapGenerator rewrite - better scalable for outdoor maps, plus the possibility to define areas (similar to the caverns in the cave generator) etc.

=== Make your own ideas ===
If you have your own idea the best thing is to join IRC wesnoth-dev at irc.freenode.net and discuss the idea with the developers there. If the developers think your idea is interesting and like the feature you can start to turn it into a full proposal. Once done discuss it again on IRC so the developers can accept your idea.

== Information about our Project ==
The information we provided google with about our project can be looked up at the site [[SoC Information for Google]].

Also see the [[DeveloperResources]] link (from the [[Project]] page).

== People to bug on IRC ==
We have prepared a list of people with their "area of competence". This is to give you an idea on which areas those people can be of help for you. Of course you should always just ask in the IRC chan, but those are the most likely ones to answer questions in the respective area. And here is the list:

[[SoC People to bug on IRC]]

== GSoC Student pages ==

Please add a link to your wiki page below

==== AI ====

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_Velory| Velory - SoC Proposal]]

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_AI_Improvement_Crab| Crab - SoC Proposal - AI Improvement]]

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_Sparksteel | Sparksteel - Improving the AI engine design]]

==== Savegame reorganization ====

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_Euschn | Euschn - Savegame reorganization]]

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_lmg| lmg - Savegame reorganization]]

==== Extending the Multiplayer server ====

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_rubend | rubend - Extending the Multiplayer server]]

==== Addon server ====

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_Ryochan7| Ryochan7 - Addon server]]

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_iyonius| iyonius - Addon server]]

==== Optimize implementation of WML for memory usage ====

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_res| res - Optimize implementation of WML for memory usage ]]

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_jdmunro| jdmunro - Optimize implementation of WML for memory usage ]]

==== Implement campaign statistics reports on stats.wesnoth.org ====

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_Elbin| Elbin - New campaign statistics page]]

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_Munk| Munk - New campaign stats page]]

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_carlestyle| carlestyle - New campaign stats page]]

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_nerwa| NeRwa - New campaign stats page]]

[[SummerOfCodeProposal_mrfinch| mrfinch - New Campaign Statistics Page]]

[[Category:Summer of Code|*]]

SummerOfCodeProposal mrfinch

2009-03-24T16:51:57Z

Mrfinch: New page: '''1) Basics''' '''''1.1) Write a small introduction to yourself.''''' Hello! My name is Adam, I am a 21y/o first year student living in Newcastle, UK. '''''1.2) State your pr...

'''1) Basics''' 
'''''1.1) Write a small introduction to yourself.''''' 
Hello! My name is Adam, I am a 21y/o first year student living in Newcastle, UK.

'''''1.2) State your preferred email address.''''' 
[mrfinch@gmail.com mrfinch@gmail.com] is a good place to catch me via email

'''''1.3) If you have chosen a nick for IRC and Wesnoth forums, what is it?''''' 
Both nicknames for each are 'mrfinch'

'''''1.4) Why do you want to participate in Summer of Code?''''' 
I want to further my skills in programming by doing something worthwhile that will be used by other people and not just for myself.

'''''1.5) What are you studying, subject, level and school?''''' 
I am currently studying Computer Science at Newcastle University. I am a first year Undergraduate.

'''''1.6) If you have contributed any patches to Wesnoth, please list them below. You can also list patches that have been submitted but not committed yet and patches that have not been specifically written for Wesnoth. If you have gained commit access to our SVN (during the evaluation period or earlier) please state so.''''' 
I haven't done any of the above.

 '''2) Experience''' 
'''''2.1) What programs/software have you worked on before?''''' 
I haven't worked on any large scale projects. Just small Javascript/Java/PHP programs for personal use as well as University mandated projects.

'''''2.2) Have you developed software in a team environment before? (As opposed to hacking on something on your own)''''' 
I haven't had the chance to code as part of a team before.

'''''2.3) 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?''''' 
No

 '''2.4) Open Source''' 
'''''2.4.1) Are you already involved with any open source development projects? If yes, please describe the project and the scope of your involvement.''''' 
I'm not, however I am applying for other SoC projects.

'''''2.5) Gaming experience - Are you a gamer?''''' 
I am a gamer, I have been gaming since I was a little

'''''2.5.1) What type of gamer are you?''''' 
Due to University commitments, I am a more casual/recreational gamer. During the Summer I tend to be more hardcore.

'''''2.5.2) What type of games?''''' 
I generally enjoy playing sports games, driving games and adventure games. I am a big fan of the current trend of games whereby you "chose your own ending" (Bioshock, GTA VI etc)

'''''2.5.3) What type of opponents do you prefer?''''' 
Ones that give a firm challenge and are enjoyable to play against.

'''''2.5.4) Are you more interested in story or gameplay?''''' 
A little bit of both is nice. I prefer to actually play the game I am buying, but some meat behind it is nice. Games these days don't have much longevity.

'''''2.5.5) Have you played Wesnoth? If so, tell us roughly for how long and whether you lean towards single player or multiplayer.''''' 
I have not, but I will be trying it out in the next few weeks.

 '''3) Communication skills''' 
'''''3.1) 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 was born in the UK and English in my first language. I am very comfortable in it.

'''''3.2) Are you good at interacting with other players? Our developer community is friendly, but the player community can be a bit rough.''''' 
I am described as a people person! I can talk to anyone, I am fine interacting with people who are sometimes a little rough around the edges. Comes with the territory.

'''''3.3) Do you give constructive advice?''''' 
Almost always.

'''''3.4) Do you receive advice well?''''' 
I like to think I do, I am always happy to be given it!

'''''3.5) Are you good at sorting useful criticisms from useless ones?''''' 
I tend to take all criticism on board, but can definitely filter out the less useful ideas.

 '''4) Project''' 
'''''4.1) Did you select a project from our list? If that is the case, what project did you select? What do you want to especially concentrate on?''''' 
I selected the Stats Server Project -- I feel this is at a level I can thrive on.

'''''4.2) If you have invented your own project, please describe the project and the scope.''''' 
-

'''''4.3) Why did you choose this project?''''' 
There are people out there who are incredibly versatile and talented coders, I however am not on that level and would prefer to take on a project that I feel I can learn invaluable lessons from rather than beating my head against a brick wall.

'''''4.4) Include an estimated timeline for your work on the project. Don't forget to mention special things like "I booked holidays between A and B" and "I got an exam at ABC and won't be doing much then".''''' 
At the time of student project announcements (Apr20) I will be starting my final 8 weeks of University and won't have a terrible amount to do other than revising and can do a good amount of work on the project. 
Between May21 and Jun03 I have University exams, and therefore won't be able to concentrate as much on the project as I would like.

'''May 23''' - Start work on the project, start to build test data and implement basic statistics 
'''May 30''' - Will not be able to concentrate on the project due to exams 
'''Jun 06''' - Start to play around with the Google Chart API, using a ready made chart program will increase efficiency and ease-of-improvement 
'''Jun 13''' - Continue work on the Google Chart method, whilst also thinking about a PHP/Python built chart system (on-the-fly graphics) -- show code as it is and gain further guidance 
'''Jun 20''' - Take on advice from mentors and add further ideas 
'''Aug 10..17''' - Hand in finished project

'''''4.5) Include as much technical detail about your implementation as you can''''' 
Current I am thinking of coding the project in either PHP, Python or Ruby. I am very fond of PHP, but I am wanting a reason to learn and utilise Ruby on Rails for it's agility in such conditions.

I want to make graphs using the language I choose if possible, however I will rely on Google Charts as it's already there and it's incredibly powerful and verbose for this sort of project.

'''''4.6) What do you expect to gain from this project?''''' 
Invaluable experience in server-side languages and building statistics from data. I will put the skills I've learnt into practice in my degree program as it is a very practical degree and I am coding a lot of programs for coursework.

'''''4.7) What would make you stay in the Wesnoth community after the conclusion of SOC?''''' 
I will be well versed in what I make, and would like to see it used! I am fond of turn based strategy and strategy games in general!

 '''5) Practical considerations''' 
'''''5.1) Are you familiar with any of the following tools or languages?''''' 

* Subversion (used for all commits) 
* C++ (language used for all the normal source code) 
* Python (optional, mainly used for tools) 
* build environments (eg cmake/autotools/scons) 

I am new to SVN and currently use it for University projects. I've had little exposure to C++ as I am learning Java but have a book lying around. Python I have played around with a little in the past and I know a small amount on.

'''''5.2) Which tools do you normally use for development? Why do you use them?''''' 
For Java I used Eclipse, it's very powerful and does exactly what I want. 
For web-dev/server-side coding, I use Smultron (freeware mac client) - it's lightweight and does exactly what it says on the tin.

'''''5.3) What programming languages are you fluent in?''''' 
I have extended experience in PHP and Java.

'''''5.4) What spoken languages are you fluent in?''''' 
English

'''''5.5) At what hours are you awake and when will you be able to be in IRC (please specify in UTC)''''' 
I can be on IRC 24 hours a day for messages to be left. 
Mon-Fri I can be on IRC 1400-1900 UTC

'''''5.6) Would you mind talking with your mentor on telephone / internet phone? We would like to have a backup way for communications for the case that somehow emails and IRC do fail.''''' 
Happy to talk via Skype or Telephone!