People of openSUSE: Wolfgang Koller

Please introduce yourself!

I was born on the 11th February 1985, which means I’m 23 right now! I was born in Vienna and I still live here. I’m a self-employed IT-Engineer, however in addition I study physics at the Vienna university of Technology. I live together with my girlfriend, no children yet.

Tell us about the background to your computer use.

I started using computers at the age of maybe 11 (not to sure anymore), my dad brought home an old 286 from his work and so it all started. I was always interested into how computers work and designing programs for it. So that’s why I started programming in QBasic first. However I quickly moved to C / C++ which I’m still using often today (most of the time for Linux of course :) ).

Over the years I learned around 20 coding languages, however most of them are useless today.

Of course I also love to play games on the computer, including MMORPGs and Shooters.

When and why did you start using openSUSE/SUSE Linux?

My first SuSE Version was 6.2, which gave me my uncle (who always had a major influence on my interest for computers). However I quickly discovered that I wasn’t ready for it. I still tried several SuSE version until 7.3 which I then used regularly. From that day I always had a Linux installed and nowadays for working I only use Linux anymore, Windows is just there for gaming!

When did you join the openSUSE community and what made you do that?

I actually can’t remember the exact date, however I actually started a “support” site for SuSE Linux when I started learning things myself. I published several HowTos there whenever I discovered something new and in addition I added a forum.

In what way do you participate in the openSUSE project?

I’m an admin and founder of suselinuxsupport.de, which I’m still working on.

In addition I’m writing some programs for KDE, including KTrafficAnalyzer and KCDemu (which are not limited to openSUSE, thought).

What especially motivates you to participate in the openSUSE project?

I was always a fan of the idea to give everybody the possibility to use software for as many applications as they need them. In addition I discovered that you can meet many nice and friendly people who share the same thoughts.

What do you think was your most important contribution to the openSUSE project/community or what is the contribution that you’re most proud of?

The suselinuxsupport.de community – although that’s not really my work but rather I’m just providing the server for it (the rest is done by the community, obviously) :) !

When do you usually spend time on the openSUSE project?

Whenever I find time for it. I always try to check the forums a few times a day. The programs I’m working on are updated every few months. So as I said, whenever I have time for it :) !

Three words to describe openSUSE? Or make up a proper slogan!

Nothing is better than the freedom to make a choice.

What do you think is missing or underrated in the distribution or the project?

A common forum-community, but we are working on that one :).

What do you think the future holds for the openSUSE project?

Sex, Drugs and Rock’N’Roll – oh wait wrong topic :) !

A person asks you why he/she should choose openSUSE instead of other distribution/OS. What would be your arguments to convince him/her to pick up openSUSE?

YaST – nothing else to add!

Which members of the openSUSE community have you met in person?

Pascal Blesser (Guru), a few employees from Novell, and a few other guys at the FOSDEM two years ago!

How many icons are currently on your desktop?

5 – I hate many icons :) !

What is the application you can’t live without? And why?

Firefox – I want to visit the internet :) !

Which application or feature should be invented as soon as possible?

A directX similar standard for Linux!

Which is your preferred text editor? And why?

KWrite – because it just works!

Which famous person would you want to join the openSUSE community?

Who cares about celebs?

Which computer related skills would you like to have?

I would love to know more about assembler, but I never had the time to read more about it!

The Internet crashes for a whole week. How would you feel, what would you do?

I would probably spend the whole time with my girlfriend and have a lot of…. oh well you know :) !

Which is your favorite movie scene?

The Big Lebowski – The Bowling-Dram Scene

Star Trek or Star Wars?

Star Trek.

What is your favorite food and drink?

Wiener Schnitzel with Beer :)

Favorite game or console (in your childhood and nowadays)?

Game: DeusEx – never had a better game! Console: N64 in the past, and now Nintendo Wii.

Which city would you like to visit?

NewYork

What is your preferred way to spend your vacation?

I prefer holidays with a lot of spare time, so not to many sight-seeing trips and more time to relax :) !

Someone gives you $1.000.000. What would you do with the money?

First of all – get an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, after that I would most probably spend the time for a nice house :) !

If traveling through time was possible, when would we be most likely to meet you?

1250 – I would just love to be a Knight!

There’s a thunderstorm outside. Do you turn off your computer?

No – that’s not necessary :) !

Have your ever missed an appointment because you forgot about it while sitting at your computer?

Who hasn’t?

Show us a picture of something, you have always wanted to share!

You couldn’t live without…

My computer – sad but true :) !

Which question was the hardest to answer?

Which is your favorite movie scene? – there are so many good movies out there!

What other question would you like to answer? And what would you answer?

Q: Why is the universe that big? A: If you have one let me know…