Johntron

I’m John Syrinek, and I like art and technology – mobile and web development and design, interaction design, electrical engineering, social networks, etc.

I live in the Lower Greenville area of Dallas. A few years ago I quit the pursuit of a degree in computer science to work full-time as a software developer, because I couldn’t afford things. I’m now back in college as a student in the ATEC program at the University of Texas at Dallas. I’m almost done with my Bachelors, and really enjoying taking art classes for the first time in my life. I start grad school soon in the Emerging Media and Communications program at the same school. I think I’ll always think of myself as a software developer, but art is a big part of my life. Thanks Captain Mark!

Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time working on Placethings. It’s a social mapping platform that allows people to capture content from the real world at a specific location and share it with others when they’re in the area. I’m building the API and Web interface. My roommate is working on the iPhone app, and hopefully we’ll find some funding for more devices like Android.

I’ve been writing code since 5th grade. By the end of 5th grade, I was writing Javascript doodads for a Geocities (geoshitties?) site that is probably no longer around. I moved on to C and C++ in middle-school. By high-school I took my first paid gig modifying a forum for a convention in Houston. I wasn’t an employee in the software industry until I moved to Fort Worth. I’ve done software development professionally (I wrote ReviewAnalyst for instance), made some decent money, and then realized I don’t want to be a code monkey for the rest of my life.

My hobbies include writing software, building electronics, SEO, web design, going to concerts, cooking, movies, etc. My favorite band is Ratatat. I saw the Dali exhibit in London last time I was there and loved it. Lately, I’ve been focusing on broadening my knowledge of design.

I’ve spent enough time in college and in the workplace to know that I want to work for myself. After I graduate, I’ll probably have to take a part-time job or continue doing freelance work until I can fully support my own projects. I’m going to try very hard to stay mobile, because I’d love to see more of the world. So far I’ve been to England, Wales, France, and Ireland.