My name is Justin, and I write free software (the libre kind). I generally stick to game development, but I've contributed a little to some non-game projects as well. You can read more about me below.
If you wish to contact me, you can do so via email.
You can also find me on:
Flare
Action Role Playing Game
Clint Bellanger's Flare is a fantastic free-software action RPG, similar to the Diablo series. I've been helping with development since March of 2012 and have since become the lead developer.
Transit Log System
Website
Originally developed for the Stow, MA Council on Aging for their transportation needs. The system provides an easy method for staff to create daily schedules, which drivers can then use to log mileage and fuel data. Drivers are given a mobile-friendly interface for working with the schedule on the road, along with pre-trip reports and vehicle maintenance status. Monthly reports can be generated with the recorded data, as well as additional information about the clients.
Freeblocks
Puzzle Game
Created as my January 2013 OneGameAMonth project, Freeblocks is a game similar to Tetris Attack. While not a direct clone, it's still quite fun to play.
feedreader
Linux Desktop Utility
A simple GTK2-based RSS reader that sits in the system tray. It displays a simple list of articles per feed, each of which can be opened in a web browser. I don't personally use this anymore, but it was my first experience making something with GTK2.
keylock-tray
Linux Desktop Utility
Much to my disappointment, many modern laptops don't have LEDs for CapsLock and NumLock. So I created a program that displays their status as tray icons. It uses GTK2 and XKB and features command line flags to change the background/foreground colors of the icons.
Bridges to Malawi
Website
In 2019, I was asked to redesign the website for the charity organization,
Bridges to Malawi. I was happy to oblige, and after a brief bit of iteration, came to a result that we were both happy with. The primary goals were to give the site a more professional look, while also better highlighting the pillars of the organization's work.
Along with the website design, I also created an introductory video to be used on their main page.
Tiled
Tile Map Editor
- Updates to the Flare plugin
- Improved tab closing functionality
- Added ability to reorder terrains
RetroArch
Emulator Front-end
- Added ability to delete cores via the UI
cdogs-sdl
Game
- Assist with port to Emscripten
spacefm
File Manager
- Added support for video thumbnails with ffmpegthumbnailer
My interests / hobbies
- Video games. Too many favorites to list here, but my top genres include action RPGs, "Metroidvanias", first person shooters, and puzzle games.
- Japanese anime and manga. My two stand-out favorite series are Hidamari Sketch and Outlaw Star.
- Late 80s/early 90s Lego, namely the Town, Space, and Castle themes.
- Tinkering with hobby electronics, Arduino, etc. I'm fairly new to this, so there's much for me to learn. Big Clive's Youtube channel is the catalyst for my continued interest in electronics.
Why "dorkster"?
Somewhere around when Team Fortress 2 was released, I started using something from
Dexter's Laboratory as my Steam name. I don't remember how, but it eventually mutated into "Dorkster". I kind of got attached to it, as it has some nice properties:
- 8 characters; a nice power of 2.
- Can be shortened to 4 characters for old games that don't allow the full 8 characters. 4 also happens to be a power of 2.
- Despite being simple, it usually isn't already taken when registering a new username. If it's taken, I usually prefix it with my initials, "jaj".
- I'm a bit of a dork, so it's fitting.