A Short Intro

• Located in: Potsdam, Germany
• Occupation: Student of Computer Science
• Nickname on IRC: Bobby on ICQ/IRC
• Fav. KDE applications: Konqueror and kicq
• Hardware: Many console systems, old computers and a normal PC

The Interview

What is your role within KDE?

For about 2 years I'm maintainer of the KDevelop project (http://www.kdevelop.org/). Furthermore I care for the KDevelop homepage and the appropriate mailing lists. Even though I haven't much to do with the actual KDE core (libs/base) development, we always look for new features to make development for current and future developers as easy as possible. Development for KDE should be fun and we try to contribute to this.

How and when did you get involved in KDE?

Three years ago I read a Qt/KDE article in the german c't magazine by Kalle Dalheimer and was immediately inspired. One day later I downloaded the KDE CVS version and wrote a KDE version of the famous "hello world" program. Short time I later wrote a graphical front-end for the unix tool "du". The program however gets never published and meanwhile there are similar programs. Sometime in the year 1998 a few students from my university and I had the idea to write a new development environment for the KDE Desktop. Three months later we released a first public version and many additional developers joined the team over the time.

How much time do you spend on KDE?

That is very different. Sometimes I only have the time to answer some emails, but it can also be up to 20-30 hours per week.

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

For the moment I use XEmacs for programming (C++, php) mainly. It was one of the first editors I have tried and I'm thereby remained. But I think KDevelop2 in combination with KWrite will have the potential to change this. :-)

Is there a process you follow when you code?

First I consider which features are interesting for a new component and how the user interface should look. Afterwards I implement a first version. Mostly I like it, but if not I write it again. :-)

What was your first computer?

My first computer was a C64. I already wrote games and application programs for this computer, but as all at that time usually everything was closed source.

Which program would you say every KDE user should have?

I think everyone should have kicq or a similar program. Many things can be completed over ICQ simply faster and better than with email.

Where do you see yourself and KDE 5 years from now?

That is difficult to say, but I think the KDE team will continue to implement one of the most interesting desktops ever. In my opinion an important feature would be support of speech recognition for office applications and email programs in the next years. I personally will surely engage me more in the development for embedded applications, since Qt-Embedded and Co. sounds very interesting.

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

No, I am not paid for the work on KDE.

Personal Questions

Where and when were you born?

I was born 1975 in Anklam (Germany north east).

Which University/School did you go to?

Since a few years I study computer science at the university of Potsdam. In former times I went on a High School with specialization on foreign languages, therefore I understand a little bit Spanish, English and Russian. :-)

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

Single.

Do you have children?

No. ;-)

Do you have pets?

No, but my parents live in the country and they have many cats and dogs.

What is your favorite food?

I like potato-broccoli-gratin very much. Any good meal without meat, in general.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

I'm no big traveler, but vacation spots with much water and few mountains please me at most.

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

I cook very gladly in my spare time and try out some new recipes. Furthermore I still read science fiction books and booklets, above all the endless serial "Perry Rhodan". (http://www.perryrhodan.net)

What was the last movie you have seen?

That was "Titan A.E."

What was the last fiction book that your have read?

I read "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)" recently. It is a very entertaining book. :-)

What songs do you sing in the shower?

I don't sing in the shower.

Is your best friend (no family) a real person or an on-line one?

A real person. But all my friends are also on-line.

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

Yes, on KDE Two and on tradeshows I met some fellow KDE'r.

Name your favorite quote/saying.

Until he extends the circle of compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.
    (Albert Schweitzer)