David Heinemeier Hansson
Who’s David Heinemeier Hansson?
I’m the creator of the web-framework Ruby on Rails and a partner at 37signals. I’m originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, but have lived in the US for the last four years.
Why Ruby?
Because it’s the most beautiful programming language I’ve ever seen. It makes me smile daily. It’s just a pragmatic mix of ingenuity and stuff that just works. It’s also malleable like nothing else. Your extensions to the language can blend in seamlessly with the core. I’m in love with Ruby.
Do you have a Brand?
If by brand you mean that many people in programming and startup circles know who I am and what I stand for, then yes. When you don’t have the marketing muscle or budget of the big guys, your best weapon is to have better ideas and to share them more easily and quickly. I try to do just that.
What does your typical day look like?
I usually get started around 7:30 and work from bed until 10 or so. Catching up on the world, chiming in on our company Campfire, and responding to an onslaught of emails. I do most of my real programming in the afternoon.
What are the tools you couldn’t live without?
TextMate, Campfire, Safari, Mac, iChat, Mail, Basecamp, Backpack, Highrise.
What do you do in your free time?
I love photography and I love racing cars.
Current favorite apps?
That would go to point #5.
What OS do you prefer?
OS X.
Small pic for your Workplace?
Favorite: Colors, Font, Languages, JS Framework?
All Hallow’s Eve color scheme in TextMate, Bitstream Vera 12, Ruby, Prototype.
The things or source that inspired you?
Things that annoy me. Nothing gets me more fired up to fix stuff than being personally annoyed.
What’s do you prefer, the freelance work or the full time employee?
I’ve been working exclusively with 37signals for 8+ years now.
Your personnel projects and goals for 2010?
Sticking with it. Continuous improvement.
Nice declaration of love to ruby. I share that feeling.
BTW: Tthe pic of your workplace evokes the impression that you do _all_ your work from bed
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Cheers
5v3n
Nice desk.
That office looks untouched. =)
Thanks for the insights. Would like to see more of these from Devs… it’s like the Golf Magazine “what’s in the bag”, but for programmers not golfers.
Any TextMate shortcuts you couldn’t live without?
Marcelo, it’s my office from when I just moved in. Now I actually have both a different desk and a computer there
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