Girl running Linux

Vilde Anna Egeland is 16 years old and comes from Skien. She is one of the few girls here at The Gathering, and also running Linux.

By Tor Ivar Hansen, photo Helge Hoel

What are you doing while on The Gathering?

Well, this is my first year actually. I have been considering going for several years, but finally here I am this year. I'm mostly here for the social part of the whole. I see so many interesting people and things here that people not being here wouldn't believe.

I try to make a contribution to the graphics competition, but I'm not sure I'm going to send it in because it's not that good. (The reporter did a pep-talk, and Vilde promised to take her best shot at making a contribution).

I usually chat a lot on IRC, but also with other people away from the computer.

How long have you been running Linux?

I have been playing with Linux since 2003. Pretty fresh. I started out with Red Hat Linux, but have now changed to Fedora which is a new Linux distro from Red Hat.

People say Linux is difficult to use. What's your impression?

I think it's a wrong picture many have of Linux. It's true that it demands some knowledge to how computers work. But if you have that I feel Linux is very easy to use and specially configure.

What are the pros and cons with Linux as you see them?

Pros :

• Stability
• Cheap
• Exciting programs (you can compile them yourself)
• My computer is faster with Linux
• Less viruses

Cons:

Hmm? Hard to find a bad thing actually. Maybe the lack of known game titles is a drawback for some, but not for me.

What is your impression of The Gathering?

I see a lot of gamers here, but that is not all. It's a very big arrangement attracting a lot of different people. That makes it very exciting to be here. I have no complains, but I'd like some better chairs.