Continuing our discussions with this year’s Women in Open Source speakers, we sat down with Cathy Malmrose from ZaReason.  We had a chance to discuss what it’s like to run a Linux-only hardware company but still support Windows users, as well as discuss ways to encourage young girls into technology and open source.

- Gareth

Cathy: French speaking DJ, elementary teacher, technical writer, ghostwriter, curriculum developer, road warrior, and most prominently a hardware geek.

Gareth: You founded Zareason; what led you to starting the company?

Cathy: I grew up in Microsoft’s back yard, then spent five years in Austin, Texas in a Dell neighborhood making friends and seeing how their company functioned. When we moved to the Silicon Valley area and were surrounded by the top-tier hardware suppliers, the decision was obvious that I would go into Linux hardware. I saw how hard it was to find well-built Linux hardware and I also saw how superior Ubuntu and other distros had become.

Gareth: Can you tell us a bit about what does Zareason does?

Cathy: We build Linux hardware that just works.

Gareth: So are you strictly a Linux only company?  Do you ever have customers that are surprised that they can’t get a Windows computers from you or is your market primarily already using Linux?

Cathy: Yes, Linux-only — always have been, always will be.

We have never had someone ask us for a Windows system, not even once, but we do occasionally get requests for dual-boot. The conversation usually goes like this:

Bob: “I like your laptops, but I need to run ___ (name of Windows app) for work..”
Za: “We can set up VirtualBox or help you dual boot, but we don’t ship laptops with Windows.”
Bob: “Why not?”
Za: “Because there doesn’t seem to be a need for Windows. Plus, it’s expensive.”
Bob: (pauses for a minute to think) “Oh… So, can I get an Ubuntu laptop and you tell me how to do VirtualBox?”
Za: “Sure.”

A significant part of our market needs to use a couple of Windows-only apps so we walk them through dual-boot, VirtualBox, or best of all, help them find open alternatives.

Keeping our focus simple has been the pivotal factor in our success. We have one clear focus and no “growth goals”. Our company is growing organically along with the market rather nicely.

Gareth: What is your current role at ZaReason?

Cathy: CEO, which means I get to do nearly all jobs a little bit and none of them a lot. I go to some of the shows; I have a heavy hand over shipping and I tinker with the rest. One exception — I let the tech people do whatever they want. Whenever I am tempted to direct product development, I hear the voice of Scott Adams in the back of my mind.

Gareth: What exciting things can we expect from ZaReason?

Cathy: Two potential events on the horizon:

• We are working on setting up the company for easier expansion overseas and across the US. We get a lot of requests, “Can I set up a ZaReason shop in ___?” We are working to accommodate that growth.

• We are hoping to follow in Sean Moss-Pultz’s footsteps and spend a few years living near the main OEMs in China and Japan (Moss-Pultz is in Taiwan), building our own gerbers that can perform better with Ubuntu and possibly other distros. From what we can tell, Ubuntu is being held back a bit by hardware limitations. Our goal is to push those limitations harder towards the “just works” standard.

Gareth: How did you get involved Open Source software?

Cathy: My kids. Our Windows desktops were crashing more than they were working. I was tired of staring at blue screens. I was tired of rebooting. My teenage son installed Ubuntu on his desktop, turned on Beryl (Compiz Fusion) and I was hooked. When his computer went for an entire day without crashing, I knew that I wanted to share this happiness with my friends. Also, the Open Source way of doing things (sharing, spurring creativity) was how I preferred to live my life. It was a good fit for me.

Gareth: I had read another interview that you had given where you said that you initially thought that there might be something wrong with the computer because of some of the Compiz effects :)  Has your family gone completely Linux now?

Cathy: Yes, we are fully Linux family except for a few laptops for games and two desktops for testing.

My first impression of Linux was a desktop my son had Ubuntu-ized, downloaded Beryl and applied nearly every effect. At first I thought I was just seeing things. I was only glancing at his desktop screen as I walked past, probably a dozen times. When I asked him what was wrong with his computer, he tried to pull one over on me, saying, “Oh… I think I have a virus… Look…” It wasn’t until I saw the rotating cube that I sat down to give it my attention. I explained it in an interview on Digital Tipping Point, near the end of the interview.

Gareth: Do you feel as though you are treated differently in the technology world because you’re a woman?

Cathy: Often, yes, but I choose to focus on the benefits. For example, when I attend LUG meetings, the LUGers have always been welcoming and enthusiastic about having variety at their meetings. I would like to emulate Jean Bartik’s attitude (one of the ENIAC programmers). She lets people have their opinions, whatever they may be, and doesn’t let it distract her. Plus, she’s a sparky, funny lady.

Gareth: What about the Open Source Community?  If so, how?  And how do you combat these?

Cathy: Personally, I have experienced acceptance in the open source community. I have seen more “little missy” talk in the business world, working with commercial property owners and other peripheral companies. I find it a relief that the Open Source community takes such an active stance in welcoming newcomers.

Gareth: What methods do you use to encourage other women to get involved in technology?

Cathy: Talking about it in an open, friendly way, the same way I tell a friend about a great restaurant, a cool museum, a competent babysitter, or a fun science camp. My friends don’t have to try Linux, but they sure would enjoy it if they did. There is a certain fear factor involved in computing, possibly because it seems so magical, but there are two ways to approach something you don’t understand — with fear or with awe. When I talk about Open Source, I focus on easing the fear and projecting the awe.

Gareth: What about getting involved in the open source community?  In your opinion, what else can be done?

Cathy: That’s a tough one. The number of women entering STEM fields is declining despite all the programs to encourage girls. Personally, I think a girl’s inclination to participate in STEM fields begins forming when she is quite little, even as young as preschool. I am raising a little girl myself and I am seeing first-hand how we turn girls off to technology. It begins with the books where the little princess, when presented with a problem: 1. asks a friend to solve it, 2. whines, or 3. gives up. I wish there were more books like Frannie K. Stein where the little girl solves problems and gets messy. I think it would be easier for girls to venture into more rigorous work if they were encouraged to problem solve well as young children.

For the Open Source community in particular, probably the best way to spur growth is through more focus on the LinuxChix motto, “Be helpful; be kind”. It is part of the core of good, strong communities.

Gareth: Thanks for taking the time to speak to us.  We’ll see you at SCALE 7x!

Cathy: Thank you.  We are really looking forward to SCaLE this year!

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