APR
18
2001

Richard Moore

A Short Intro

  • Located in: Manchester, UK
  • Occupation: Software Developer
  • Claim to Fame: Java applet support for Konqueror
  • Fav. KDE applications: Konqueror, Kasbar, Quanta
  • Hardware: Pentium III 800 MHz, 256M, Matrox G400

The Interview

What is your role within KDE?

I'm not really sure how to answer this question: I've written a bunch of stuff for KDE but I've handed a lot of it over to other people when my interest/free time has waned (for example I don't do much with the file dialog or kpaint these days). I guess the main things I'm focused on currently are improvements to Konqueror, Keystone, Kasbar etc. and doing some more work on the screenreader code in KTalkEdit. I also try to keep an eye on the big picture and help people writing apps make use of the features in the libraries (directly or by writing tutorials).

How and when did you get involved in KDE?

I got involved when I read Matthias Ettrich's first post on USENET, I joined the newly formed KDE mailing list then started working on KPaint soon afterwards. I had been thinking along much the same lines as Matthias myself, and it was a good opportunity to start learning C++.

How much time do you spend on KDE?

It varies a lot depending on how busy I am - some weeks I might spend more than 24 hours working on KDE, others I might spend none.

What is your favorite tool? (for developers; what is your favorite editor?)

xemacs, though KDevelop is starting to catch up.

Is there a process you follow when you design/write code/translate/write documentation?

I generally start off working on paper and try to sort out the design of what I'm building first. When I'm happy with the design I start coding the backend and prototyping the GUI. The last step is gluing the backend and GUI together.

What was your first computer?

A 16K ZX Spectrum. I learned a lot more from my second computer, an Acorn Electron, than from the speccy though because the Electron had a very good BASIC interpreter and a built in assembler.

Which program would you say every KDE user should have?

Definitely Konqueror.

If you could add one personal feature to KDE what would that be?

Plugins that get triggered by .directory files. This would mean that you could look at a CVS controlled directory and a plugin would automatically load into Konq allowing you to view the status, make commits etc.

What application/game would you like to see ported to KDE?

Dreamweaver.

Where do you see yourself and KDE 2 years from now?

I'm not really sure where I'll be, though as I'm thinking about looking for someone to pay me to work on something KDE-related, I suspect I'll still be involved with the project. As for KDE itself, I guess we'll all be running KDE 3 by then. I think KDE will probably be spreading into areas like handhelds and tablet machines, and taking a serious chunk of the desktop market.

Are you being paid to work for KDE and if yes by who?

No. [* make mental note employers!]


Personal Questions

Where and when were you born?

28 March 1974 in a town called Ashington in the north east of England.

Which University/School did you go to?

I studied at the Computer Science Dept. of the University Of Manchester.

What's your status, are you single and up for adoption?

I'm single and up for adoption. [* hint to all the female readers, look at this gorgeous picture ladies ;-) email address below!]

Do you have children?

Nope.

If your house is on fire what would be the first thing you would grab to take with you?

My guitar - time to play some blues!.

What are the elements for a perfect vacation?

Warm weather, cool music, abundant alcohol and good company.

What are the things you want to have done before you die?

I'm planning to live for ever. :-)

What do you (and your s.o) like to do in your spare time?

I like to play the guitar, read, listen to music, go out to pubs and clubs, and work on KDE of course.

What was the last movie you have seen?

Gladiator on DVD.

What was the last fiction book that your have read?

'The Iron Hand Of Mars' by Lindsey Davis, it's set in 71 AD and follows a guy who is basically a sort of Roman secret agent.

What song brings back a favorite memory? And why?

Style by the Lemonheads. It reminds of when I was at a music festival with some friends watching the song live - it was very appropriate at the time.

If you could be invisible for 2 hours where would you go and what would you do?

I'm not sure, it might be fun to pop over to Bill Gates office and install KDE on his computer though. ;-)

You having some friends over for a party and you're allowed to invite 3 famous people who would you invite and why?

That's tricky. I guess I'd go for Richard Feynman (the physicist) as he seems to have been a fascinating person, David Brin (SF author) because I love his books and...

Did you meet your best friend (no family) virtually or in person?

In person.

Did you ever met a fellow KDE'r in person, when and where?

I've met lots of them at various conferences (like KDE I and II) and trade shows like Linux Expo.

Name your favorite quote/saying.

My current favorite which I read online somewhere is: 'The difference between theory and practice, is that in theory, there is no difference between theory and practice'.