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<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://varun.travisbsd.org Homepage]
* [http://qa.debian.org/developer.php?login=varunhiremath@gmail.com Packages maintained]
* [http://qa.debian.org/developer.php?login=varunhiremath@gmail.com Debian Packages maintained]
 
{{indian-contributor}} {{FreeIndianQuestions}}
 
[[Category:Contributors]] [[Category:Debian Developers]] [[Category:Debian]]
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