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

         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?
         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).
         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. 
         o Gaming experience
               + Are you a gamer? If so...
               + What type of gamer are you?
               + What type of games?
               + What type of opponents do you prefer?
               + Are you more interested in story or gameplay?
               + Have you played Wesnoth? If so, tell us roughly for how long and whether you lean towards single player or multiplayer. 

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.
         o Are you good at interacting with other players? Our developer community is friendly, but the player community can be a bit rough.
         o Do you give constructive advice?
         o Do you receive advice well?
         o Are you good at sorting useful criticisms from useless ones? 

   * 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.

         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?