OpenGEM > Interviews > Thorsten Franke
OpenGEM is something of a hot product in the FreeDOS world. We're providing the simplest, easiest and fastest GUI for the operating system. With that in mind, new people are lending a hand to make things better, and the number one contributor for the OpenGEM Release 4 series is Thorsten Franke. Here he shares his thoughts with us.
Who are you, and where do you live?
I am a 32 year old software developer and life in Bochum, Germany. My interest in
computers started in 1982 with an Atari 800XL, then moving
in 1985 to an Amstrad/Schneider CPC464 and in 1991 I switched to the
PC line with an Schneider EuroXT.
When did you first come across GEM?
That was years ago on an Atari ST from a friend. Otherwise I never
really used it. The next time I stumbled about it was the OpenGEM Project.
What work do you do for OpenGEM?
At the moment I am trying to translate Project Liberation to German
and developing an Uninstaller for OpenGEM. If these things get finished I
will try to look into GEM-Programming and maybe I will develop some
small tools...
What's your favourite thing about OpenGEM and why?
It's small and fast, and it runs on my old laptop!
What do you hate most about OpenGEM?
At the moment: The Vesa driver doesn't work properly with my graphics
card and there is no background image on the desktop.
What is your vision for the future of OpenGEM?
It should become more modern in design and functionality but without losing the ability to run on old computers. Plus we need more apllications.
