Hans Verkuil is a senior software engineer of R&D at Cisco Systems Norway. He maintains the part of the media subsystem in the Linux kernel that is focused on video receivers and transmitters, as well as the V4L2 bridge drivers and core V4L2 frameworks. He is currently working on adding HDMI Consumer Electronics Control support to the kernel and on improving colorspace support for the V4L2 subsystem.
Hans recently sent us a video tour of his office to contribute to our series that takes you inside the workspaces of Linux kernel developers. We’re in awe of many things about this workspace, but I can’t help but be impressed with the level of chaos going on in this space and the whiskey collection at the ready.
Hans says he both loves and hates the fact that his space is so messy.
“For me a clean desk means that nobody works there, and that’s clearly not true of my desk. And I enjoy having everything I need close by. I’m also very pleased about the Lian-Li testbench, since that makes testing so much easier.” But Hans added, “It can be difficult to make room for a new board I need to test. Ideally I would like at least one additional desk.”
He says the most interesting workspace he’s ever used was when he worked for Dutch Space (now part of Airbus Defence & Space) on test equipment for the Herschel and Planck space observatories. He added, “While linux kernel development is a lot fun and very interesting and often technically challenging, it can’t compete with the coolness-factor of working next to a satellite in a clean room. I have to admit I still miss that.”
Take a look inside Hans’ workspace and see why he says his drawers next to his desk full of hardware are the most interesting part of his office. Hint: It has to do with testing and weeding out mistakes.
