Welcome on Board @TUXEDO - Part 28 - TUXEDO Computers

TUXEDO Computers expands its staff and introduces its team

Christoph – Linux all rounder

How old are you?

No longer the youngest... Let's put it this way: When the first "real" Debian version was released, my age startet with a 2 in the front. My first steps on the internet I did with a 28800 baud modem within the Usenet and before that I was using 9600 baud modem to get access to the MausNet and FidoNet and dial in mailboxes. If I really dig in my memory, I even saw acoustic couplers in the wild – but I never used them myself. Phew!

Are you from Augsburg?

No, I come from a rather unknown neighboring city of Augsburg called Munich, perhaps you have heard of it. It is often referred to as the northernmost city in Italy, and there is some truth to that. After that I studied in Karlsruhe and then worked for a logistics software company. My TUXEDO workplace is now not in Augsburg, but in the tranquil town of Heilbronn. Soon, however, I'll be packing my seven tuxedos and moving to Lake Constance.

How long have you been working with Linux and why?

I came into contact with Linux for the first time at my university - around 1995. I had a student job at the university's study center for the visually impaired, where I administered the computers for the students as well as the institute's servers. Linux was and is ideal for many people with visual impairments, because the system can be used completely in the command line and there are also many good programs with a text interface. So you don't necessarily need a screen reader (JAWS was the measure of all things at that time), which costs a small fortune. If you have never heard or seen anything about braille displays and screen readers, you should have a look at YouTube. Sighted people can hardly imagine at what speed blind people can still understand the output of a screen reader.

How do you know TUXEDO Computers?

I can't pin that down to a specific time or date. Before joining TUXEDO I worked as an editor for Linux User and Raspberry Pi Geek for more than a decade. In addition, I have been running my own blog about Linux and free software under Linux und ich since January 2006. In the course of this time I have written a number of reviews on devices from TUXEDO and have been in contact with our CEO Herbert Feiler and my current colleagues again and again.

Why did you want to work at TUXEDO Computers?

I have been motivated to explain Linux and free software for many years. Here at TUXEDO, I have the opportunity to do this with a new focus. At TUXEDO, a young, colorful and dedicated team has come together that not only wants to sell computers successfully, but also has the success of free software in mind. TUXEDO promotes the Linux community with donations, resources and own developments and thus gives something back to the community. This is a lot of fun and provides me with a lot of input for my own work.

What do you do in your field?

My primary task is to explain the TUXEDO product. What do computers from TUXEDO offer compared to computers with operating systems from Redmond or Cupertino? How do they work? What do you have to consider? What can you do with them? The bottom line is that I try to take up every Wh-question and explain it together with the marketing team. We're also planning steps toward the – not so – young social media outlets. To that end, by the way, we're still looking for new colleagues such as video producers to help us develop new formats.

What do you particularly like about TUXEDO / the devices?

TUXEDO computers offer a balanced mix of powerful hardware in high-quality cases with a heart for free software. In the standard configuration, TUXEDO OS gives you a system that is ideally configured right out of the box. Updates cover not only the operating system, but also the firmware, so that the hardware is always optimally supported – BTW I Use Arch: TUXEDO is also well positioned here. For many devices there is an entry in the Wiki of the distribution and the drivers and tools developed by TUXEDO (especially the TUXEDO Control Center) are available in the Arch User Repository aka AUR.

What do you dream for the (TUXEDO) future?

As I already mentioned in the question before, we not only want to publish texts around Linux and free software and thus explain TUXEDO and its products, but offer more multimedia content. I personally have always lacked the time and resources for this. I am very much looking forward to tackling these projects – even if we still have to do a lot of planning and preliminary work. 

Another personal thing – what are your hobbies?

I stare at computer screens a lot, so in my free time I'm drawn outdoors, like a moth to a flame. When I have the time, I like to lace up my hiking boots and climb mountains. On days when I want to do some sports, I get on my racing bike, swim or run – quasi triathlon, but rarely all disciplines in one day. Sporting success is not important to me, I do it all for pizza :D In winter you can find me more often in a karate dojo. For the first Dan (the first black belt) are only two exams missing.