Hello everyone,
It's been fun getting started with working on LyX these past few weeks.
I was just thinking about how I never really introduced myself, so here
we go:
I am a college student in the US studying applied math. I started using
LyX a couple of years ago after experimenting with a few other programs
for writing up my homework assignments. I was really blown away by LyX's
power and usability.
The things that motivate me to work on the LyX project are:
(1) I have personally benefited from using LyX and want to pitch in with
some help of my own.
(2) I think LyX is a fantastic piece of software, and want to do what I
can to add new features and so on.
(3) LyX is a great open source project. What makes open source most
exciting for me is the possibility of sharing great free software with
motivated new users, regardless of their experience level. Projects like
Ubuntu, Python, and Firefox have had great advocacy programs and a
positive attitude toward newcomers to the software. In other words, they
have done a good job at not scaring off new "converts" to open source
with information overload or complex technical vocabulary, which
sometimes keeps people using the proprietary software they're used to.
These open-source projects have had lots of success, and have brought a
lot of energy to the open source community. That is actually why my
first priority was to help with the website: I think a website that is
attractive and written clearly for people of all levels of expertise is
an essential part of good open source advocacy. Needless to say, I'm
very pleased with the work people have put into the new website!
There we go. Anyway, I look forward to the launch of the website and
other events on the LyX horizon!
Rex Christopher Eastbourne
