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About Michael

My name is Michael Hall and I live in Lakeland, Florida. I have been a web application developer for more than 10 years, transitioning from Perl to Java, PHP and now Python. I had used Linux on servers for quite a while, but it wasn't until a coworker introduced me to Ubuntu 5.10 that I started using it as my desktop, and I haven't looked back since.

I have a wife and two wonderful kids, and I am currently going back to school after 8 years to finish my Bachelor's degree.

Contact Information

Personal Projects

Quinn Co - A Florida non-profit that provides under-privileged children with Linux powered computers.

Qimo Linux - An Xubuntu derivative designed for young children featuring open-source educational games and a simplified desktop.

Growing Up Free - An initiative to foster communication among groups and individuals who are using open source technology to improve the lives of children in their communities and around the world.

Activities

My oldest child is diagnosed with a form of Autism, and when he was 4 years old I took a spare PC and setup a gaming computer for him based on Ubuntu. He enjoyed it so much that I build similar systems for his friends and preschool, using second hand computers. In 2008 I founded Quinn Co, a Florida non-profit, who's goal is to recycle second hand computers into educational system for your kids.

I had been installing the stock Xubuntu (on these computers, and then modifying them to include age-appropriate open source games and to make them accessible to the youngest children, this made the average install take several hours. After reading the LiveCDCustomization page, I set to work creating Qimo, a Linux distro designed specifically for your kids.

Since late 2008 I have been involved in the Ubuntu FloridaTeam, participating nearly daily on #ubuntu-us-fl, attending and organizing LoCo meetups and events, and I contribute articles to the http://ubuntu-fl.org website. Several times I have enjoyed hosting members of the Florida Team and my home, feeding them copious amounts of food, and generally having a good time.

I often spend time in #ubuntu, jumping in to help somebody with a problem I can solve. I can also usually be found in #ubuntu-us-tn, #ubuntu-us-ga, #ubuntu-us-sc and #ubuntu-us-nc.

I have attended, exhibited and presented at several Linux and Open Source shows throughout 2009, including Scale7x, Florida Linux Show - Jacksonville, the South East Linux Fest, and the Atlanta Linux Fest. I am scheduled to exhibit and present at the Florida Linux Show - Orlando, and have been helping with the planning of the show and a new website based on Drupal.

Future Goals

Finish creating Deb packages for Qimo, and get them included in Universe.

Improve my packaging-fu and apply to become a MOTU

Incorporate Qimo artwork and configurations into an Edubuntu profile, as well as continuing to work with the Edubuntu team.

Continue efforts to expand the Ubuntu Florida Team and advocate for Linux and Open source in my community.

Present at FLS Orlando in Oct. 2008 and Scale in 2009.

Testimonials

Michael Hall has been an extremely active and well relied upon force within the Ubuntu Florida Local Community Team. On top of being a Great Dad and Husband, he has somehow found the time to develop Qimo (Qimo 4 kids) Distribution, which is an Ubuntu based distribution that has been remixed to include specific games and educational applications. This is similar to edubuntu, except Qimo makes it easy for children to navigate, with it's contemporary theme and large intuitive icons/theme. It currently is using XFCE as it's wm and easily runs on older hardware with great success. Michael and Michelle Hall together founded QuinnCo (a computer recycling charity), and Michael uses Qimo as the distribution of choice when machines are donated out to families in need. He has hosted several events and advocated Ubuntu's use both at work and play. He has also held team only events in his home, which have been very good for team cohesion. The Florida Team rocks even more thanks to Mike's efforts! -- itnet7 2009-10-12 06:13:27

If you know me and have something nice to say, please leave a comment here.

Pictures or it didn't happen

Backing Ubuntu

Because I quite possibly have the best wife in the world, when she recently felt the urge to make some sugar cookies, she decided to make Ubuntu Logos.

The full set can be found here.

Random LoCo Members Dinner

The weekend after Atlanta Linux Fest we were supposed to host the Florida LoCo's birthday party. However, due to several scheduling conflicts it had to be postponed. Not wanting to let a good excuse for a party go to waste, we invited several LoCo members (some we'd never met in person before) over for some barbecue and a fish fry.

Second Qimo Build Day

Quinn Co recently held a massive build day at a local children's home. Not only did we get people from all over to join us, but we had the resident kids come out and learn to build computers with us! In the end we placed 7 computers with the home, and had another 30 or so to donate to others.

The full set can be found here.

First Qimo Build Day

Quinn Co needed to get 12 working system from Lakeland, Florida to Crossville, Tennessee, so we organized our first every build day to get 12 systems upgraded and installed. The event was a success! The computers were personally delivered to Tennessee the next week.

The full set can be found here.

Scale 7x

We were given a free booth at 2009's Scale 7x in Los Angeles, CA, thanks to some wonderful members of the Ubuntu community who heard about our little operation in the middle of Florida. So the same week that I officially released Qimo 1.0, we flew to the other side of the continent to show it off.