GirlGeek of the Week
May 2000

Adrienne Osborn

Like many her age, Adrienne Osborn's first foray into computing began with Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. She loved the technology as a youngster and even dabbled in BASIC programming. But it wasn't until later in life that she would realize her present geekiness.

Warp ahead to her college years, where she would begin studying programming. A degree focusing on Computer Science would lead to an IT career. Today she is a Web Developer, writing HTML, Cold Fusion, and SQL. Though she started out as a tech writer at several startups, she later fell in love with programming and took her skills to the Web.

How do you earn a living?

For the last year and a half, I was a freelance Cold Fusion programmer. Now I've moved to an Internet startup, where I spend most of my time coding in Cold Fusion and SQL with my co-workers while we listen to techno music in our part of the office.

When did you first discover your love and/or obsession with computers and technology?

I discovered that I like to code, during the first couple of programming courses in college. But I don't have an obsession with computers or technology. I am not interested in using bleeding edge technologies before the kinks have been worked out. For me, technology is a means to an end, not an end in itself.

Do you consider yourself a Geek?

My fiancé does because I have to check my email all the time, but I don't consider myself a geek. I'm just very computer-literate. I don't spend much of my free time on the computer - I'd rather be outside or doing anything else.

What is your favorite Website?

I'm not sure because I don't surf much. But I have to point you toward my current site, bidtripper. Also, perfect is a great source of web site inspiration if not a great way to waste time.

What do you do when you are not working?

Until I moved from Florida to Colorado in February, all my extra time was spent training for water-ski competitions. Now I spend a lot of time going to the gym to play racquetball, going skiing and snowboarding, and going out to bars and clubs. I'll start water-skiing again in a couple of weeks when the lake water warms up past 40 degrees!