ROSE Blog Interviews: GSoC participant Kanika Vats

Aug 28, 2009 GMT

The 2009 Google Summer of Code recently wrapped up. In this interview, GSoC participant Kanika Vats shares her first experience in the world of open source.Q: Who are you? A: I am Kanika Vats and I was selected for the Database Abstractions project by Systers as part of this year's Google Summer of Code. I am doing B-Tech in Information Technology (IT) from Delhi College of Engineering, India. Q: What do you currently do in open source? What do you love about it?A: This year's GSoC was my first contribution to the open source world and I will like to continue my contributions to open source whenever I get the opportunity. The best thing about open source is the huge opportunity it...

Making a Difference: Teaching Girls in Middle School

Aug 28, 2009 GMT

Last night was curriculum night at my daughter's school and I got to meet her new 8th grade science and algebra teacher. My daughter has been raving about this new teacher since school started a couple of weeks ago. Yes, raving – not ranting – about the new science and algebra teacher. As I sat in the classroom listening to the new teacher introduce herself and discuss the chemistry and physics the students would learn this year, I realized I was smiling and feeling almost giddy. I'm thrilled that my daughter has the opportunity to learn from this woman. The teacher explained that she came to Kansas to get her PhD and planned to teach at the university level, but then her plans...

Announcing New Managing Editor & New Proofer/Polisher

Aug 27, 2009 GMT

Over the past few months, we've been shifting roles here at Linux Pro Magazine/Linux Magazine. I've gradually moved out of my editing position into my new role as Associate Publisher, and I'm happy to announce that Rita Sooby has accepted the role of Managing Editor. Rita gradually took on her Managing Editor duties over the summer and formally moved into her new role this month.In addition to 15 years of freelance editing services for science, math, and computing publications, Rita has been working closely with us for the past three years editing, proofing, and polishing articles for Linux Pro, Linux Magazine (our international English edition), Ubuntu User, and our special editions....

ROSE Blog Interviews: FSF's Deborah Nicholson

Aug 27, 2009 GMT

Q: Who are you? A: Deborah Nicholson, Membership Coordinator for the Free Software Foundation.Q: What do you currently do in free software? What do you love about it? A: I manage our membership program, so my job is focused on outreach. I love meeting people and talking to them about the projects they're excited about. I'm also organizing our upcoming summit to address women's participation in free software and how to improve it.Q: You're speaking to a group of women from other fields who are considering switching careers. Why should they consider moving into an free software-related career? What should they know about the free software environment to prepare them for the transition from...

ROSE Blog Interviews: Dru Lavigne

Aug 26, 2009 GMT

Dru Lavigne was the first person to volunteer her interview when I started this series. I thought I better pull her interview out of the comments section to make sure it's not overlooked. Dru is active in BSD and FreeBSD certification, training, and marketing, in addition to editing the Open Source Business Resource. Q: Who are you? A: Dru Lavigne (http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/unix/bsd) Q:What do you currently do in open source? What do you love about it? A: Chair the BSD Certification Group which maintains certifications for assessing BSD sysadmin skills. Assist the marketing team of the FreeBSD Project and the FreeBSD Foundation. Write and speak about open source, BSD, training,...

ROSE Blog Interviews: Stormy Peters, Executive Director of the GNOME Foundation

Aug 26, 2009 GMT

In addition to her work with the GNOME Foundation and Kids on Computers, Stormy Peters is a frequent speaker at industry events and writes a blog at: stormyscorner.com. In September, Stormy will participate in the Free Software Foundation's mini-summit on women in free software.To learn more about the GNOME Foundation, read Stormy's article in the June 2009 issue of the free online magazine Open Source Business Resource.If you're interested in helping with the GNOME Foundation, one way to contribute is to become a GNOME ambassador and help the GNOME Press Team.Q: Who are you? A: I am Stormy Peters. I currently work as Executive Director of the GNOME Foundation and I help out with a lot of...

FSF to Host Women in Free Software Mini-Summit

Aug 25, 2009 GMT

The Free Software Foundation announced that it will host a mini-summit on women in free software. According to the announcement, the September 19th summit will "... gather a small group of women activists, thinkers, and scholars to identify strategies and initiatives that will foster sustained participation by women in the movement." Deborah Nicholson of the Free Software Foundation, the GNOME Foundation's Stormy Peters, and activist Hillary Retig are helping organize the gathering. In the announcement, Deborah Nicholson says, "At the summit, we will discuss existing entry points, why women don't always feel invited, and when they do, why they don't always stay. Individual...