Jason Lotito

Getting back to code

Jason Lotito — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:29:29 +0000

I used to code every day. I was a programmer. I kept up to date on the latest news regarding web development and PHP and other languages at the time. I had sites I would check every day, and I spent time learning new things. But as my old company grew, I spent more time managing and direction. More time involved with things outside programming. I’d assign my staff code to write, and became less and less involved with how it was done and more concerned that it was completed on time. I still worked on things. Low level libraries and I still kept a few pet projects on the side for me to work on, but nothing substantial My staff developed new features. I just improved old ones.

Then it was all over, and my partners and I got into a new business, brick and mortar, and we run them still today. Programming is not apart of what I do now. But I miss it. I miss the challenge, the excitement. Today I look around at all the new technology that has passed me by, and I feel that it’s going to take work to get back into it. I want to create things, I want to do things. I want to build things. I remember a time when I would open up a window manager in linux and modify the C code so it would support my multi-head monitor setup, recompiling it and getting it to work and seeing the results.

I miss that.

I was a hacker once. I want to be one again.

Writing my own game

Jason Lotito — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:41:45 +0000

I’ve always loved the steampunk genre, but never liked the approach of many steampunk authors. The themes and ideas surrounding steampunk always evolved from British point of view. Honestly, I never saw it that way, and was never interested in that avenue. I found steampunk more interesting when you mix it with something like Warhammer 40k.

I know. Warhammer 40k is set in the far future, and steampunk is set in the Victorian era. But when I look at space marines, I can imagine armor just like that being built for a steampunk driven society. Unfortunately, most games are Victorian in setting and feel. They take a very traditional approach. They don’t change too much outside of the mechanics and the laws of physics. I feel this is a big mistake. War machines would be needed for something. Why else would people invest in steampunk tech? Well, for industry sure, but that’s not fun for a game.

So, it got me thinking. On occasion I’ve come up with my own ideas on how a Steampunk set world would evolve. The history that would shape it, the nations that would drive it. The feel of the game itself. So I’ve come back once again to the realization that maybe, just maybe, I should write my own.

Being a Father

Jason Lotito — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:43:05 +0000

My son is just turned 3 months old recently. I can’t imagine life without him anymore. In some ways, I can’t remember my life before him, either. He’s a great boy, lots of fun, and very easy going. When I look at his face, his emotions affect mine in ways I never thought possible. When he’s happy, I’m happy. When he’s sad, it cuts to the core. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for him.

Every day with him is an adventure. It’s amazing the rate at which babies learn. I remember when he discovered his hands, plugging his right hand into his mouth. Now he’s starting to grab things and hold them, play with them. He holds his head well, and loves to sit up when people are around talking.

Joseph Michael Robert Lotito, you are loved.