MOTU Interview: Travis Watkins
Travis Watkins recently became a MOTU after a long time in the Ubuntu community. He is best known for Alacarte, the Gnome menu editor. He also wrote a Bayesian content filter called willow-ng for Edubuntu and more recently has been working on 3D desktop with the Compiz community.
Age: 20
Location: Iowa, USA
IRC Nick: Amaranth
How long have you used Linux and what was your first distro?
I started with Debian in 2003.
How long have you been using Ubuntu?
Since the very first release, so around the end of October or start of November in 2004.
When did you get involved with the MOTU team and how?
I had created alacarte, my menu editor, and needed a package for it. This was probably around April or so in 2005.
What helped you learning packaging and learning how the Ubuntu teams work?
I started with the Debian New Maintainer’s Guide and then started looking at existing packages that were similar to what I was trying to do. I mostly learned how things worked in Ubuntu by watching what everyone else was doing.
Favorite part of working with MOTU?
Knowing people are having a better Ubuntu experience because of work I’ve done.
Any advice for people wanting to help with MOTU?
Start with a package you care about personally, that way you’ll learn all the tricks and techniques needed to make it the best it can be because it makes your life better too.
Mark Twain
How do you see compiz/3D desktop changing Ubuntu and computing in general in the future?
With compiz and related technologies we’re reaching the point where our only limit to what we can do is our imagination. With this new power we can redefine the way you use your desktop for the better.
Any Plans for Hardy Heron?
My main goal is still getting compiz working better but along with that I want to package all the fun blingful things you can use once you have compiz like avant-window-navigator, screenlets, moonlight widgets, etc.
Favorite quote?
“The human race is a race of cowards; and I am not only marching in that procession but carrying a banner.” — Mark Twain
What do you do in your other spare time?
I enjoy walking/jogging and am trying to learn to play guitar.
Pic of you, your work area, and/or your screen?
My ‘work area’ is a reclining chair (laptop ftw) so it’s not very interesting.
