August 2008

2008-08 Joomla! Community Magazine

Joomla! Community Magazine - Features

Joomla! Forum Member of the Month for July 2008

Marieke van der Tuin

Marieke van der Tuin may not be a name widely recognized by most community members, but she has been involved on the backside is wonderful ways.

I recently had a chance to chit chat with Marieke about her involvement and her life.

Me: Can you describe your involvement in the Joomla! project?

Marieke: I'm the project leader of the 1.5 (&1.6) Help Screens project and thus I'm in the Documentation WG, and I'm a translator of the Dutch Joomla! community.

Me: Tell us about your roll in the GHOP.

Marieke: I started GHOP with something to which I was familiar: translating the Installation Manual. I first thought to stop afterwards, but liked to continue with it. Did some more translation work (team blogs), and then started to do some QA-tasks. I also created the Module Digg Listing for GHOP.

Me: How did you first learn about Joomla!?

Marieke: I came in contact with Joomla! because Marijke Stuivenberg used it, she was very positive about it and so I was curious about what Joomla! was and installed it.

Me: What sort of things do you like to do outside of Joomla!?

Marieke: I am a lifeguard at a lake in the Netherlands. I also like to dance.

Me: Are you still in school?

Marieke: Yes, 5th grade secondary school. So 2 years to go, and then university. (Note: For those in the United States, this is the equivalent to going into her Junior Year of High School.)

Me: Do you think it will be hard to juggle your roll with Joomla! and school when school starts back up?

Marieke: No, I'm sure this won't be a problem. Most work for Joomla! I did during school-weeks.

Me: If you could have dinner with any three people dead or alive, who would it be?

Marieke: Bill Gates, Beatrix and Uri Geller.

Me: Where do you see your involvement in the next 3 years in Joomla! community?

Marieke: I'd like to continue with creating documentation, and translating it. I'd like to do a bit more coding (if I've got time ;) ), like creating some more modules or plugins. I think I won't stop contributing to the Joomla! project, because it's just.. great. :)

"Marieke exemplifies a true Joomla! contributor. She first came to my attention during the GHOP Contest but since then she just can't seem to stop contributing! Not only is she always helpful and a great team player, she's also shown herself to be a good leader. A well deserved award." – Chris Davenport, Joomla! Documentation Working Group Coordinator

"From her very first task in the Google Highly Open Participation program, it was obvious Marieke was special. When the GHOP contest ended, Marieke continuing working, most notably spearheading the Joomla! 1.5 Help Screens project. She works well with others and is an excellent communicator. Congratulations on this well deserved honor, Marieke, and thanks for all you do for the Joomla! Community." – Amy Stephen, Communications Team member and Bug Squad Team member.