20 (or so) questions on how Kevin (@transdraft) works

This series of posts was inspired by Lifehacker’s How I Work series, which I’ve been reading for quite some time and thoroughly enjoy. It’s about time we discover how our colleagues work and get to know them a little better.

If you want to participate in this fun series, email us at info@linguagreca.com for the Word template where you can fill in your answers & bio (incl. site/blog/social media) and then send it back to us as an attachment along with your photo (optional but preferred). If you don’t like any of the questions, just delete them and add your own. Check out the previous interviews here.

Location: Tochigi, Japan
Desired location: I like it here!
Current work title: Pre-school teacher by day, founder of transdraft by night (and weekends)
Desired work title: I don’t care what my title is as long as I have the opportunity to create, learn and solve challenging problems. I love building products and I enjoy expressing my creativity through that process.
Languages you have studied or currently speak: English (native) and Japanese (conversational). Also, since I am a programmer (not a translator) I’ll add in the programming languages I have studied: Ruby, JavaScript, Java.
The project you’re most proud of: I am very proud of my current project transdraft (a web-based TEnT tool for freelance translators). I also really enjoyed creating a series of free math and physics lessons for kids based on the game of miniature golf that I developed to promote an app called Putter King that I released for iOS and Android.
Your current computer setup: MacBook Pro
Do you own a smartphone? Yes (iPhone 5S)
Favorite time of the day: Mornings (I have a lot of energy and can get a lot done).
Favorite gadget (apart from computer & smartphone): Garmin GPS for my bicycle
Next conference/event you’re planning to attend: I didn’t have a chance to attend this year, but I would be happy if I had the opportunity to attend both the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting and annual RailsConf (Ruby on Rails programming conference) in the future.
How many hours per day do you usually work: ~13-15
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Definitely more introverted than extroverted, but I always trying to be more extroverted.
Are you an early-riser or a night-owl? Early-riser
What do you listen to while you work? I always listen to music while I work. Recently I started using iTunes radio and have started listening to some electronic music for the first time in my life. However, my favorites are mostly in the rock, alternative, indie rock genre – Red Hot Chili Peppers, Say Anything, Saves the Day…the list is long.

And a few non-work related questions to get more personal.
Your babies or pets, incl. names and ages: No babies yet but hopefully soon (just married last April). I don’t have any pets.
Next city/country you want to visit: Winston-Salem, NC USA for my sister’s wedding
Favorite vacation place: Guam
Favorite book: Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke
Favorite song: Wow, too tough to choose. One that would be up there is an unreleased song that the lead singer of my favorite band Say Anything recorded for me to give to my wife (then fiancée).
What are you currently reading? Programming Ruby by Dave Thomas

Author bio

Kevin Dias is the founder of transdraft (https://www.transdraft.com), a SaaS web application for freelance translators that helps improve the translation process and workflow and makes it dead simple to send a beautiful final product to the client.
Twitter: @transdraft (https://twitter.com/transdraft)