FW Editor: What are your plans or objectives in the near future?
Jon: Computers and programming has been a hobby of mine for several years now. As such I am limited by the amount of time I am able to put into my work, but that having been said there are two other projects I am currently developing (albeit at different developmental stages). One is an RPG 'engine' I've titled 'Devolved'. I emphasize 'engine' because I am trying to structure it in a way so that others could actually write their own RPGs using only XML files and their own images. Devolved (also previously titled Life RPG) is currently on a bit of a haitus as I am working on my second project: Escape!. The basic concept of this game is that you are trying to survive in a zombie apocalypse, but I hope to make it 'survival horroresque' in the sense that there isn't outright fighting. I'm currently planning on requiring the player to use other means to find the end of each level safetly.

FW Editor: How and when did you start writing the code for President Matchup? What inspired you the most? Do you plan to develop new software, or are you more focused on optimizing the current ones?
Jon: I began writing code for President Matchup for the same reason I have started all of my projects: by teaching myself how to program. In this case I happened to be reading through a C++ book that covered the STL and one of the examples in the book made me think of a matching game. I'm not sure how the presidential aspect came into my mind, but the two coupled and I decided to run with it.

FW Editor: I must ask this question: are you interested in the American history?
Jon: I would love to consider myself a history buff, but though I'm very interested in American history (or other histories, for that matter) I don't know nearly as much as I would like. I love opportunities to learn new things, though, and I liked developing President Matchup because it allowed me to practice and learn about the various presidencies.

FW Editor: President Matchup is focusing in a very particular history segment: American presidents. Are you planning to develop a similar application with a wider point of interest?
Jon: Not at the moment, at least. The concept of the game arose to me because of my interest in implementing programming techniques into an actual game. I'm certainly not opposed to developing an application with broader capabilities, but do not have plans to write one right now, either.

FW Editor: The free market games is flooded with all kind of applications and yet, President Matchup was able to stand up and become popular in a relatively short time. Are you surprised with this success?
Jon: I wasn't sure what to expect when I put the game online. I am a strong supporter of open source projects, so the act of putting it online was obvious to me. At the same time I did not really question how successful it would be until it was actually uploaded. I was absolutely tickled to go online each day just to see how many people decided to try it out. To have the work considered a success is very humbling to me, so receiving the Famous award is truly an honor.

FW Editor: Besides President Matchup, is there any application that had a positive impact over you? Why?
Jon: Ever since I started to teach myself how to program, I have critically looked at every video game I have played and thought to myself: why can't I do that? It's been a great motivation to have that kind of perspective, but I don't think I can pinpoint a single piece of software that has given me more motivation than others. I feel that there is something to be learned from everything that is out there.

FW Editor: How can you describe President Matchup in just a few words? Why?
Jon: I would like to think of President Matchup as an educational yet casual game that is easy to play during breaks or for fun to beat one's own high scores.

FW Editor: What is your favorite President Matchup feature and why?
Jon: I'm not sure I really have a single feature that stands out to me. If I had to list something I would say how the game itself came together. I like being able to see the completed project after all is said and done.

FW Editor: Would you like to send a message to President Matchup users?
Jon: I would like to ask all users for feedback, be it positive or negative, because I take all such considerations to heart and look forward to implementing such criticisms in the future.