| An interview with LinuxGuru.net editor Steven Barnhart |
Rick Lehrbaum (May 16, 2002)
DesktopLinux.com founder Rick Lehrbaum chats with Steven Barnhart, a 13-year-old student who serves as 'head editor' of LinuxGuru.net . . .
Rick: I'd like to know more about you and your interest in Linux. You seem to be a young guy who loves Linux -- and that's a cool story! Your description (on LinuxGuru.net) calls you 'head editor'. Is that an accurate description?
Steven: Yes, I currently am 'head editor' or a better word to put it, 'content director' of LinuxGuru.net. Not only am I head editor but seem to be the only one on the site submitting news! So really, my job description should be 'head editor and only contributer.' I work with two other coders (one the founder) to get this project going towards our goal, to help in the support of Linux using non-proprietary software through content. It takes a great deal of work to publish content plus keep up with the bugs as you probably know!
I was at the ripe age of 13 when I began using Linux after reading the MANPAGES (something many people are to lazy to do) plus some books. I began at LinuxGuru as just a writer. Later after about 5-7 articles I was bumped up to editor for 'good work' and being consistent in my writing skills. Wanting to learn was (and still is) one of my strongest points. Linux is something that you always are learning about and that is why I decided to take on the Linux challenge.
Rick: How in the world did you get started with Linux?
Steven: Well, its kind of a strange story I suppose. I started out by wanting to use Perl and began asking around on IRC about where I could get it. I had heard of Linux at that time but never really put much thought into it. Many people told me it was a *nix program and such but for some reason I thought it was for Windows. Anyways, a very nice person (I to this day do not remember his or her nick but I thank you dearly) messaged me and told me it was for *nix systems and Linux. I had heard all of this about partitioning and believe it or not I was a Windows lover back then. He/she recommended ZipSlack for me and I asked (as usual with a newbie) about a thousand questions. He/she also told me about Phat Linux which was said to have Gnome and KDE on it. I did not understand that at *all*. Eventually they had to go and my question was never fully answered.
I got curious so I went out and bought Mandrake (I saw it at Walmart and, well, downloading on a 56K is not fun). It! did! not! work! and, well, to keep things short, after trying out about 10 distros that would *not* install on this machine for some reason, good old Debian did and that is where I am stationed now. I learned a great deal of my knowledge from tinkering with Linux of course and especially from The Linux Documentation Project. I also bought the book 'Mastering Linux' by Arman Danish and that helped me understand the basics. I have come quite far, I do believe, in my journey towards Linux, and now use Debian GNU/Linux for many of my daily tasks. I do not use any proprietary software (or at least not on purpose) for my tasks today.
Rick: What Linux programs do you mainly use?
Steven: For Word Processing I am quite simple and just use VIm or Abiword. I mainly use VIm because it is also very easy to use, the search capabilities are quite good and it loads fast (big thing when needing stuff quick). I found this site with scripts for integrating ispell and html syntax highlighting in VIm. I do use AbiWord, but quite sparingly as I am more content with VIm. Sometimes if I have to do more advanced editing or need a mouse for highlighting the text etc., I will use AbiWord. For a web browser I of course use my favorite old Mozilla :) As for IM, gAIM. For e-mail I just use old Pine or Sylpheed.
Rick: What window manager do you use? KDE? gnome? enlightenment? ...
Steven: I *love* KDE. I am a big interface person too. KDE gives me theming options, Konqueror (I like that browser also, mainly for directory browsing), KOffice and much more. It's just a clean desktop manager that I could no live without. I like the way Mac OS X looks, so the Liquid theme is also a plus. I am currently still using KDE 2.2.1. I found some unofficial debs for KDE 3, but until I upgrade to Woody (Debian) I'd rather not, as I was told Woody contains a lot more features and the debs would not work correctly (see kde3.geniussystems.net). I also use Enlightenment sometimes. Enlightenment will go very far in this world of Window Managers I am sure of it. I also enjoy 3Dwm, it definitely is a great project showing Linux *is* cutting edge.
Rick: Have you gotten any of your friends started on Linux?
Steven: I met some people (teens) on IRC and talked about Linux so much that one of them tried it out. He asks me help questions now and then but I am glad he is using Linux, especially Debian :)
Rick: Have you talked to anyone at your school about the idea of them using Linux there?
Steven: I have not yet proposed Linux in my school system, but seeing all these resources for schools I may just talk to them about it. We have many old Macs that aren't too useful (good for research) so I may propose Linux on theme.
Rick: Do your parents think you're nuts to be so interested in Linux? ;)
Steven: My parents think I am crazy and still think Windows is so great. Every day they ask me what's so great about Linux? I just reply kindly and they walk away.
Rick: How much time do you spend on LinuxGuru.net (on the average) every day?
Steven: LinuxGuru requires many duties to be editor. I spend an hour at least a day updating the site with new headlines and submitting people's article submissions (heh, if there ever will be any). On average I spend at least 3 hours or more looking for bugs and just having fun around the site. Many projects are underway at LinuxGuru, so I encourage everyone to keep their heads up -- these projects, once completed, will be *big*.
Rick: What do you envision for the future of Linux? How successful will it be in what timeframes? Where will it be most successful?
Steven: Linux seems to be a very successful operating system especially in the server market. I plan for one day Linux will overrule BSD and stay in the lead. Many popular and strong sites run on Linux which provides them with the flexibility and stability not found in other operating systems (preferably non-*nix systems). I still take hope that Linux will maybe outperform windows and other operating systems on the desktop market but the last thing Linux needs is many people who do not know how to read or do anything else themselves to hurt the wonderful Linux community that exists.
Rick: Have you decided what sort of work you want to do after school/college?
Steven: After completing high school and college I plan to go onto the Linux/Unix field as either a C Programmer or a Linux system administrator. Ohio State has a wonderful Open Source club (once publicized in the news about the issue with Linus using software to do the kernel, they did not like it :). In Columbus, both of those fields seem to allow me to make a good profit and still have fun with the job.
Rick: By the way, have you ever communicated with 'the girls of Tux Reports'?
Steven: No, I have not ever communicated with the 'girls of Tux Reports'. Although maybe one day I will get that privilege :P
Rick: Is there anything else you would like to say to the Desktop Linux community at DesktopLinux.com?
Steven: I would like to tell the DesktopLinux community that they need to enjoy the 'openness' community of wonderful people using Linux and to help contribute in any way whether it be through articles and writing or even to various projects. Please get involved. LinuxGuru is always looking for new contributers and even programmers so if you are interested do stop bye.
Rick: Thanks very much for chatting with the Desktop Linux community, and best of luck with your website editorial duties -- and with school! I'm sure, with your knowledge and experience of Linux, you'll have a great future!
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