View source for Varun Hiremath

[[Image:VarunHiremath.jpg|right]]

<pre>
Name: Varun Hiremath
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
IRC Nick: varun
Email: varunhiremath at gmail dot com
</pre>
Computer / Laptop Configuration and OS (Distro):
* Desktop: Intel P-IV 2.4 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 15" monitor, Debian GNU/Linux.

==History==
* '''How did you get into GNU, Linux and FOSS in general?'''

I first encountered Linux and free software in 2003 when I came to IIT
Madras. Most of the systems here were running some version of Linux. I
started learning Linux and tried out many free softwares in my first
year of graduation. I used to work on Red Hat and Fedora Systems. I
heard about Debian GNU/Linux from my friend [[Kumar Appaiah]]. I really
liked Debian's package management system, the freedom to select the
packages you need, and the ease of installation and up-gradation of
packages. Moreover, we had a Debian mirror inside our campus
"http://ftp.iitm.ac.in" so, it made more sense to use Debian as we
could install packages at lightning speeds.

Since then I have been using Debian. Its been almost three years now
and I have not faced any problems with Debian. Over the years I have
learned a lot about the Debian system as a whole, the way it
functions, the BTS, the package management system, etc. I started
maintaining some packages in Debian from 2006 and I have been working
as a Debian Developer since December 2007.

* '''Share your first encounter with FOSS (Installation, setup, etc.)'''

At the end of my first year during the summer vacations I took home 4
CDs of Fedora. I had a 4 GB hard disk, 64 MB RAM, P-II machine those
days. I managed to create a dual boot system with windows and fedora
installed on two 2 GB partitions. I might have formated my computer
5-6 times during this entire process and learnt a lot about linux
installation, partitioning, grub etc. In all it was a very nice
experience.

* '''What lead to a sustained continuity in FOSS after you stepped in?'''

After my initial encounter with FOSS and GNU/Linux at IITM, I
continued trying out different things on linux and slowly started
contributing to some opensource projects by submitting small
patches. I also started maintaining some packages in Debian and got
involved in many projects during my third and fourth year at IITM.

While working for these open-source projects, I learned a lot of
things like - efficient coding, documentation, patching systems,
version control systems - cvs, svn, git, etc. All these things have
helped me to do my academic/research work more efficiently. My eager
to learn more has helped me to continue contributing to FOSS projects.


* '''A funny instance during your initial days of computing with FOSS / computers complimentary to second question)'''

During my early days at iitm I found ssh command very interesting and
powerful, and believe me I had never used it before coming to IIT
Madras. I used to pain some of my friends by sshing to their computers
and ejecting their CD drives or playing some music :-).. they had no
clue what was going on.

==Present FOSS activity==

* '''Which project do you currently contribute to?'''

I am a Debian Developer and I am currently maintaining about 135
packages in Debian. This is my Debian QA page where you will find the
list of packages I am currently maintaining in Debian:

http://qa.debian.org/developer.php?login=Varun+Hiremath

Apart from Debian I have been contributing to many open source projects:

1) I am author of open source project python-gastables: python modules
for compressible gas flow calculations:
Homepage: code.google.com/p/python-gastables

2) I am also author of Krickscore - KDE applet for cricket scores.
http://linux.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Environment/KDE/krickscore-25612.shtml

Homepage: http://varun.travisbsd.org/krickscore.php

3) I have been contributing to Jajuk - Advanced Juke box project,
where I am working as a Developer and Debian package maintainer.
Homepage: http://jajuk.info/index.php/Main_Page

4) I am also currently maintaing pidgin-festival ( formerly knows as
festival-gaim). I rewrote festival-gaim to make it work with the new
pidgin API.
Homepage: http://sourceforge.net/projects/pidgin-festival/

* '''How much time in a week / day / month do you spend on it?'''

I spend about and an hour daily on week days and may be 3-4 hours on
weekends.

* '''What are your favourite text editor[s] / IDE[s] / development environment tools?'''

Emacs!

* '''What do you think is best about your project (that you contribute to)?'''

I am working with the Debian project and I believe Debian is a very
stable distribution built on a very strong package management
system. I also like Debian's commitment to the open source community;
Debian strongly believes in the open source philosophy and follows it
strictly through the DFSG and the social contract [2]. I'm proud to be
working for Debian.

[2]: http://www.debian.org/social_contract

* '''What would you like to advise budding contributors/developers?'''

I would say just keep on contributing in whatever way you can and you
will surely get to learn a lot in return. And please enjoy whatever
you do and don't do it just for the sake of doing.

* '''Any favourite programming language?'''

Python, C++

==Opinions==

* '''"Philosophy plus pragmatism" or "Just Philosophy can achieve goals" or "Just Pragmatism can achieve goals" - Could also be looked as RMS or Linus'''

There is nothing much to choose between them... All seem fine to me.

* '''What's interesting about your local GNU/Linux User Group / other community that you are a part of?'''

I am part of the linux users' community at IITM [1] which has close to
500 members. It comprises of students from all years and I find it
very encouraging to see new students showing a lot of interest in FOSS
& GNU/Linux and asking questions on the mailing list. The group is
very active and we have regular meetings/sessions.

[1]: http://groups.google.com/group/linuxusers_iitm

* '''Five quick buzzwords (verbs / adjectives) for an "ideal" community according to you?'''

Encouraging, Active, Enthusiastic, Eager, Intense (should have
frequent flame wars :-)

* '''Best (or your favorite) FOSS related conference in India (One or many) and why?'''

I haven't attended many, but ChennaiFOSS was good.

* '''How does it feels to have two DDs from neighbouring rooms?'''

([[Kumar Appaiah]] stays next to my room)

It is a big advantage having him next door because we get to learn a
lot from each other. Usually there is a lot of activity going on in
Debian, and it becomes very difficult to keep track of things; having
another DD next door really helps a lot to catch up with action.

* '''Do you want to be a Debian Project Leader someday? If yes what
would be your goals?'''

I haven't thought about that..

* '''What are your ideas to grow the Debian community in India?'''

I don't have any great plans as of now. All I'm doing is helping my
friends to convert to Debian at IITM and encouraging them to
contribute back to Debian. I would be more than happy to help people
interested in contributing to Debian and I wish to see more Debian
Developers from India.

==Personal==

* '''About you'''

I'm finishing my Dual degree (B.Tech + M.Tech) 5 year course in
Aerospace Engineering this year from IIT Madras.

You will find everything about me at my homepage.
Homepage: http://varun.travisbsd.org/

* '''Screenshot of your desktop'''

I have put screenshots of my desktop here:
http://www.lynucs.org/?&Varun%20Hiremath

* '''Your working room / working environment (photo / description)'''

I work on Intel P-IV 2.4 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 15" monitor, Debian GNU/Linux.

* '''Favourite beverage:'''

Tea

* '''Favourite Street Food:'''

Pappdi Chaat/ Gol Gappa

* '''Current Locality (City, State):'''

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

* '''Mother Tongue'''

Kannada

* '''City in India you would like to visit in your free time'''

Srinagar

* '''Also please add any other qustions you would like to answer :-)'''

Nothing ;-)

==See Also==
* [http://varun.travisbsd.org Homepage]
* [http://qa.debian.org/developer.php?login=varunhiremath@gmail.com Debian Packages maintained]

{{indian-contributor}} {{FreeIndianQuestions}}

[[Category:Contributors]] [[Category:Debian Developers]] [[Category:Debian]]