Over that time I have built up a lot of practical experience in using linux and also made my own contributions. Initially I submitted patches to the KDE desktop environment, trying to make Linux easier to use. My first patches were changing some of the defaults from emulating Windows to being easy to use regardless of the user's background. After a while I began working on the help system's search tool and was given CVS access to the whole KDE repository. Later I started the project of translating KDE into Maori after I heard how much schools were paying to purchase Maori applications. However, I have since moved on to different projects and while I still have access to the source code, I have not modified it in several years.
As my interest in KDE was waning I became involved in the Debian project (see here). One thing that has never made sense to me is that: if the strength of Linux is that it is developed by everybody instead of just by one company, why would you want your linux distribution to be developed by just one company? My initial work for Debian was in making it easier to download updates, but more recently I have been maintaining an anti-spam tool. I also frequently help out with technical support of more complex problems.
I have completed a few linux-centered hobbies over the years. Apart from experimenting with so much software that it has long since been impossible to list applicatins I am familiar with, I have also set up a complete server (http://go.org.nz) incuding web, mail, FTP, ssh, IMAP, and other services for a number of users. I have also set up a complete PVR using mythTV. This allows me to automatically record any program that might interest me, skip any ads, pause and rewind TV, and a host of other nifty things. My next project is probably to port skype or similar to my cellphone so that I can have free international calling when at home.