NOV
25
2005

Janet Theobroma

Submitted by neverendingo

A Short Intro


The Interview

In what ways do you make a contribution to KDE?

I organize art related KDE contests, created and maintain the new KDE-Artists.org website and the Kollaboration Forums.

When did you first hear of KDE?

My husband started using Linux exclusively in 1999. He installed KDE as a dual boot on my computer some time after that. A month later I asked him to get that Windows crap off my computer. Being a person that loves lots of options I used both Gnome and KDE at first, but KDE was so much more beautiful that it finally became my default desktop environment.

How and when did you get involved in KDE?

I had some concepts that I thought would help the KDE community. So I joined a few KDE mailing lists to see what the community was like, then I became an editor at KDE-Look.org. I started maintaining different contests for KDE through KDE-Look. It was through interacting with the KDE-Look members that I was able to better define my original concepts. I released a proposal called Kollaboration to the community from my blog. It was well received so I began developing the new kde-artists web site with Kollaboration built in.

Is there any unreleased/unrevealed stuff in your pipe?

We are in the process of completely updating the KDE-Artists.org website.

Are you being paid to work on KDE?

Not really. I do have a online t-shirt shop but the profits from almost all of the shirts go to Open Source projects.

How much time do you usually spend on KDE?

I work on KDE about 6+ hours a day.

Which section of KDE is underrated and could get more publicity?

I think that the whole project needs more publicity. I look forward to kollaborating with the promo team on this. I would like to see the KDE artists community make new and updated marketing materials for KDE like brochures, business cards, web banners and the like.

What do you think is still badly missing in KDE?

I would love to see a WYSIWYG program to easily create native window decorations. I think we need more applications for small to medium businesses like a financial package that is intergrated into Kontact and KOffice. I would also like to see all the applications in KDE have a more consistent look and feel.

What are your future plans for KDE?

To continue to refine the ways in which artists, concept developers, and coders Kollaborate. Our ultimate goal is to enable these various groups to work together in real time.

Which distribution do you use? Why?

Revelinux. It is a distro my husband and I made based on Knoppix.

What is KDE's killer app? Why?

There is no way to pick just one. It's the whole thing. I love the way that the apps work together. So I guess I would have to say that integration is KDE's killer feature.

What makes you develop for KDE instead of the competition?

I think p0z3r said it best. "You mean there's competition? Every environment has a purpose, and KDE just happens to have what I need.'

What type is your laptop/desktop?

My husband just surprised me with a new computer! It is a AMD Athlon 64 Multithread 3000+ with a 256 MB AGP ATI videocard, 512 MB RAM, a Gigabyte motherboard, 120G Seagate SATA HDD, full tower case, 19 inch monitor, a Wacom Tablet and a glow-in-the-dark keyboard.

What was your first computer?

An Apple IIe.

If you were a KDE app, which one would you be? Why?

I would be Konqi because I love options. Some could say that less is more but with Konqi more is more. I love the power that this app has! I especially like the split windows feature.

What users do you have in mind when you're developing for KDE?

Everybody because everyone deserves a consistant, beautiful and easy to use desktop environment.

What is your most brilliant KDE hack?

cough cough hack hack hack

What is your most embarrassing KDE moment?

I can't go into details but it had something to do with double checking links before posting articles ;)

If we were to start a TV campaign could you think of a nice slogan for KDE?

I think KDE 4.0 should be marketed as K4 Plasma. Does that count as a slogan?


Personal Questions

First things first. Married, partner or up for adoption?

I am happily married and have 5 beautiful children. Amelia (10), Rebecca (8), Nathan (6), Isabelle (3), and Jasmine (1). To me having a big family is really cool.

If you have a partner or children, how do they cope with a KDE addict?

We have had to buy a lot of computers because we are all computer geeks in my house.

What do you see from your window?

I see my kids playing in the back yard.

What event really made a difference in your life?

Birth.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An actress.

Which book is on your bedside table?

The True History of Chocolate.

What was the last movie you saw?

In the movie theaters: Fantastic Four.

At home: we are watching the first season of Star Trek: Next Generation with our kids.

Do you cook? If so, what?

I make some killer granola.

Pizza or Hamburger?

Pizza. New favorite? Chicken garlic with pesto sauce. $^%&# now I'm hungry!

Richard Stallman or Linus Torvals?

The real question is Konqi or Tux. Have you ever seen a penguin breathe fire?

Who or what in your life would you say influenced you most?

I would have to say that would have to be my husband. He is the one who pushed me become to a graphic artist because he had a feeling I would really love it and I do.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a total geek girl. I love Farscape, Red Dwarf and Linux. I stay up too late working on my computer and I can't wait to wake up each morning to work on it some more. My life is pretty simple. I enjoy homeschooling my children and working on lots of computer projects with my husband.

What do you get passionate about?

I am passionate about KDE being an _unique_ breath taking experience with consistent themeable artwork all the way through.

You're stuck on a train for 6 hours and are bored out of your skull. What do you do to amuse yourself?

Amuse myself!? I would have changed at least 4 diapers, made a half a dozen snacks, broken up even more fights and read some new magazine. I have no time to be bored ;)

Which T.V. show world would you fit right into?

8 is enough?

What is your favorite t-shirt?

My chocolate brown KDE shirt. You might notice a theme here.

Among your friends, what are you are best known for?

My friends always say that I am really nice and it really pisses me off.

What is your favorite place in the world?

It would have to be this tiny restaurant called Affairs in Tacoma, WA that serves these incredible chocolate truffles the size of golf balls.

What's your favorite web site at the moment?

KDE-Artists.org (shameless plug).

What's your signature at the moment?

Las cosas claras y el chocolate espreso. (Ideas should be clear and chocolate thick.) - Spanish proverb