Carlos Nihelton | Membership Application

I, Carlos Nihelton, apply for Ubuntu Membership.

About me

IRC cnihelton
Matrix @cnihelton:ubuntu.com
Launchpad profile Carlos Nihelton in Launchpad
Discourse profile @cnihelton
E-mail carlos.nihelton@canonical.com
cn@olivec.dev

User of Linux distros since 2009, my first experience was with Ubuntu. While I was looking to fix the computer I had recently received as a donation back then, I heard that Linux would be the perfect choice, but it was too complicated and required hacker-like skills. I accepted the challenge, but was surprised with how easy was to get Ubuntu just working on that PC.

In the recent years I was blessed with the opportunity to work at Canonical and contribute to such an amazing work and community. While I’m mostly focused on WSL2, I care a lot about Desktop, especially on old hardware, and the developer experience. I’m starting to look at the experience for kids, as my oldest son started demanding.

Father of 3 boys (the third coming soon), introvert, sometimes too discrete, I realized it’s more than due time for me to push myself into a more active role in the community and make sure the new generations inherit FOSS in the proper way.

Summary of my contributions to Ubuntu

  • Maintaining and enhancing the Ubuntu on WSL experience: from managing the application packages on the Microsoft Store to coding for both Windows and the distro sides.
  • Working with upstream to enhance WSL for Ubuntu users: troubleshooting and fixing bugs only detectable on that platform, early testing and building proof of concepts that influenced upstream implementation, such as systemd enablement and the upcoming distro package format.
  • Enabled cloud-init for Ubuntu on WSL: leveraging Windows filesystem integration to let Ubuntu users to automate customization of their distro instances.

A complete description of my contributions to Ubuntu

I mostly work with the Ubuntu experience on WSL 2. It involves troubleshooting, bug fixes, recommendations to upstream WSL, distro work, Windows-side coding and packaging. Some examples are listed below:

My plans and ideas for Ubuntu in the future

  • Preserve Ubuntu as the default choice for WSL users. Make sure we’re the first distro to adopt new features and work closely with upstream to represent our users best interest. I believe WSL is one way for us to present Ubuntu to new users that wouldn’t be exposed to Linux distros otherwise. Ensuring a great experience there is an important step to acquire new Ubuntu adopters on other platforms, such as Server and Desktop. Consider for example a web development student learning the first concepts of managing a server machine. If those lessons are on some shape of Ubuntu, their future production environments will likely be Ubuntu as well.
  • Make Ubuntu more usable in Enterprises. That’s already true for the Desktop to a quite good extent, less so for Ubuntu on WSL. There are companies looking to leverage that platform in their environments as well. Enabling them means more users, maybe more contributors and last but not least, incomes to keep funding our operation.
  • Bring some of the lessons learned with WSL to Ubuntu Core Desktop. Either by coding or sharing implementation ideas. Think of an immutable, sealed, bullet-proof desktop with a transparent feature that enables users to quickly spawn permanent or disposable containers where they can install latest compilers, break whatever they want, integrate parts of their home and runtime directories and configuration files. Of course LXD allows all of that, my vision is to leverage it in a user-friendly way, well integrated and smooth experience without taking out the powers of advanced users. Experiments like canonical/workshops demonstrate some of the key aspects of that idea that we can bring forward once Ubuntu Core Desktop architecture settles down. I’d like to use an experience like that in my personal laptop.
  • Spread the word “Ubuntu”. Demonstrate my favorite applications, programming languages and frameworks and show how Ubuntu is the solid foundation that let them play. The newer generations, especially, need to listen more about this work.
6 Likes

Hello cnihelton :smiley:
It is great that you undertake this next step for contributing to Ubuntu.
I have noted your desired meeting date/time - Feb 6, 20:00.
Please review:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Membership/NewMember

In particular, I invite your attention to the paragraph “Discourse thread application” >> item 5.

Please put some effort into enlisting testimonials to support your application.
Time is short.

My Regards

4 Likes

I have worked with Carlos since he joined Canonical and started working together on many projects, including WSL.

I can testify that he is bringing a lot to the Ubuntu project, especially by expanding the Ubuntu reach on the Windows ecosystem!

In addition to his work, he doesn’t hesitate to participate in the broader community and is completely in line with the “ubuntu” mantra.

I highly support his application as an Ubuntu member!

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I have had the pleasure in working with Carlos for nearly 3 years now and am happy to say I very strongly endorse his application!

Carlos’ passion for Ubuntu and drive to make the ecosystem better, even on Windows is fantastic. Carlos has also been very active in the Flutter ecosystem on Ubuntu, which I very much enjoy seeing. He’s had significant impact in our community and I look forward to see where he takes us.

2 Likes

I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with Carlos on Ubuntu on WSL. He’s been dedicated to improving the Ubuntu experience. His work has significantly enhanced Ubuntu on WSL, from systemd enablement to cloud-init integration, making Ubuntu the best choice for WSL users.

Beyond his technical contributions, Carlos is collaborative, passionate, and always willing to help. He truly represents the spirit of the Ubuntu Community.

I fully support his application for Ubuntu Membership!

2 Likes

et al -

Please make welcome this new member to the family fold.
By unanimous vote, Feb 6, this application is approved.

When next you see Carlos - put on sun glasses >
the Ubuntu orange glow will be bright :smiley:

3 Likes

@cnihelton os meus parabens! Bem-vindo no clube dos membros da Ubuntu!

Congratulations!

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Congratulations @cnihelton ! Welcome to the group!

2 Likes