Q/A

What do you do for (L)Ubuntu?

Right now I am doing QA, but I might move into bug triage duty soon. I am currently learning and doing research.

What is your preferred contact method?

My email is fine. I am usually on #lubuntu-offtopic on Freenode when I am on my computer. If you would like to do a video call, I prefer Google Hangouts.

When/how did you first get into computers/Linux?

I got into computers around the age of nine. I was intrigued by the fact that everything on your computer was coded by someone. I started with Windows XP on a family computer. I would do average kids stuff(PBS Kids, games, etc.), but I was still intrigued. After a while, I started tinkering. I would take the case off of the computer and see what was inside(although I knew nothing about it, it intrigued me). One of my family friends showed me how to tweak some settings, and off I went. I would tweak the settings, the registry, the clock speeds, the BIOS settings, everything that could be tweaked. I would use a computer, then less than a month later my parents would have to do a reinstall of Windows. At one point I didn't have a computer for about a year just because I would tinker on it. This brings me to September 2014. I was just going into 7th grade. Our school uses technology a lot, so my mother bought our family a really old computer($100 on Facebook) with Windows 7 Home Premium on it. To see the terrible specs, take a look above. I ended up breaking it on Christmas because I accidentally set an Avast startup scan as well as a chdsk scan at the same time. When I rebooted, it caused some trouble. I just ended up leaving it. I was so sad that I broke yet another computer. The same family friend told me around February, "You know enough about computers. Stop complaining and just fix it." I had an idea. A little ways back, I couldn't get Fedora installed for the life of me(I didn't understand Linux yet, that there were distros). So I did some research on a library computer and I found it. Ubuntu. And it was free. The family friend gave me an Ubuntu CD(that he burned himself) that he had because in school(college, he went back to school) he had to learn how to install it(he still uses Windows). I fired it up, installed it and started learning. I found that I learned so much more with Ubuntu than with Windows. I could customize more as well. It was just a little slow. I previously had burned myself a Lubuntu CD, but I didn't work with it at all. I went over to a friends house after I accidentally grabbed it, and I showed him(he has it dual-booted with Windows to this day), but I personally liked the interface a lot more. I installed it on my computer, and here I am today.

What do you do in your free time?

My uncle has a Jetski and I passed my boater's safety course, so I occasionally drive the Jetski. My dad got my brothers and I a used Xbox 360 for Christmas, so I play Minecraft. I don't like the survival aspect, I use it for redstone contraptions, farming, and structure-making. I listen to Jupiter Broadcasting's podcasts. These podcasts are the best podcasts about Linux and techy stuff in general that I have seen(and I have done hours of Googling). I go on Reddit. I retweet thug life videos on Twitter. I am studying for my CompTIA A+ certification. I hope to get it around mid-September. I do Hangouts with my friends Spencer and Noah(and sometimes Xander) who are techy as well.

Do you hate when people focus on your age and not your ability?

Yes, I do. I hate when people see my age and they give me Scratch to start programming with. Sure, I am not as advanced as the average Ubuntu developer, but I try. Just because I am 13 doesn't mean I drink juice out of cartons and watch Nickelodeon! I watch documentaries about WWII and I drink Dr. Pepper! So please, when interacting with me, I would prefer that you don't focus on my age. Don't judge, this happens more than you think.

Testimonials

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