There are different people. There are different Linux users. Generally, you can split all people in the world into two categories: men and women. But should we split Linux world by gender? Some people still believe we should. Many others think we shouldn't.My today's guest is Jonquil McDaniel. She is Linux user with more than 6 year experience and owner of the blog xjonquilx | Sabayon, Ubuntu, Fedora, Oh My!
She calls herself Geek-in-Pink sometimes. Now she brings in some pink colour into my blog.
| DarkDuck: Hello Jonquil. I am happy to see you, the Geek-in-Pink, here! Could you please introduce yourself? Jonquil McDaniel: Sure. My full name is Jonquil McDaniel and I am a 28 year old IT student with a three year old son. Some of the things I enjoy doing are nature walking, making jewelry, and sewing. DD: How long have you been in the world of Linux? How did you start? JM: I have been using Linux for 6 years. My boyfriend at that time had a set of Mandrake CDs. He wanted to install Linux but couldn't figure out the hard drive partitioning. The way he and my best friend described Linux was that it was a power user's system and very easy to tweak. I had already been tearing Windows apart and modifying it to suit my fancy. So one day I got the Mandrake CDs and installed Mandrake on my computer. My boyfriend was not happy at all that I figured out how to partition my hard drive before he did, even though I offered to help him do it. DD: I assume your ex-boyfriend was not much happy that the Geek-in-Pink overtook him. But what did other friends tell you when they learned that you're now a Linux user? JM: Most of them just kind of scratched their heads. They either didn't know what Linux was or had only a vague idea of it. My geek friends were divided. There were those that thought Windows was better and those that thought Linux was better. DD: It's not a secret that many men consider computers in general, and Linux in particular as men's area. How do you feel yourself with this prejudgment? Are you part of any Linux women community? JM: If I remember correctly, it was a woman that designed the first programming language. ;) I think computers are for anyone that enjoys them, Linux included. I am a part of LinuxChix and I highly advocate women who are interested in Linux getting involved in it. DD: You're not just Linux user, you're also a Linux blogger. Why? JM: I enjoy writing and I write about everything I experience. Linux is a huge part of that experience, so I write about it. The reason I make it public through blogging is so that others may learn from my experiences. I'm really big on sharing knowledge and that's part of what appeals to me about the Linux community and Linux as a whole. It's a big sharing experience. DD: What is your blog about? JM: It's mostly about Linux but occasionally I throw other stuff on there that I've written, such as poetry and chapters from a book I'm working on. I'm also considering throwing some stuff about Windows on there for good measure. DD: Is it intended to girls or boys or both? JM: Both. :-) DD: Do you write all the items in the blog yourself based on your experience, or do you have a team of authors? JM: I write based on my own experiences. I would love to have a co-author but no one has stepped up to the plate yet. DD: Other than blog, do you take part in any other online projects and/or communities? What are they about? JM: I'm always on the hunt for projects that could use my help. Recently I've been working on documentation for Fedora. DD: Any projects of your own? Not in Linux only, but generally? JM: My online news magazine InPalatka.com. DD: OK, coming back to Linux. What are your favorite Linux distributions, desktop environments, and applications? JM: Wow, I really do not have an all time favorite distribution, except perhaps Mepis, which I really think does not get the recognition it deserves. Right now though I'm using Fedora and Ubuntu. My favourite desktop environments are Gnome and Enlightenment. My favorite applications are Banshee, SMplayer, OpenProj, Evolution (specifically because it syncs with Google), and LibreOffice. DD: Other than being the Geek-in-Pink on the internet, who are you in your real life? JM: I'm a very big hearted person with a love for all things unique and pretty. My husband describes me as someone that is always trying to make things pretty no matter how ugly they are. My friends describe me as someone who is very therapeutic to talk to. DD: Currently kids are very advanced in technology, and you have 3 year old son. How good is he with computers? Does he use Linux too? JM: He can operate any device in the house with a little help here and there. And he's very proficient with Android and Ipod. He's still a little young for most computer games, but he does already have his own desktop computer. Occasionally we take the case apart and tell him what the different components are. He seems very interested in computers, especially “fixing” them, haha. DD: What are your plans for future? JM: Sometime around May I'm going to be moving to Tampa, FL to work with one of my system administrator friends at an IT firm. I run a small online news magazine and plan on moving that with me. I will continue to blog about technology no matter what because I truly love it - always have and always will. One day I would like to own my own business, a comic book shop/gaming center. I haven't really made any plans beyond that. I tend to just go with the flow. :) DD: Ok, your plans are huge, even those which you listed. I can only wish you get everything you are working on. Thank you for sparing some time for this interview. And hope to see you again on my blog! JM: I don't really think of them as being huge. I just want to live the American dream, if such a dream can be had any more. Thanks for having me! I certainly will be coming back! :) |
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