GirlGeek of the Week
December 1999

Angely Auriga

They say in latin Carpe Diem, or Seize the day. That’s exactly what I did when I decided to take up computers. After my second year, at University doing a B.A in Anthropology, I had taught myself enough about the Internet, and computers to apply for a job at an ISP for a Technical Support Position. I knew then that I found my home in the computer world--The Internet. I got the job, at Better.Net and blossomed from there. I quickly became the senior techie after my training mentor left the company. I wrote support handbooks for all the tech support representatives, and the company still uses the same handbook today.

Before leaving Better.Net, to return to school, I was offered an amazing tech job at UUNET Canada, where I would be making amazing money and getting phenomenal work experience. Imagine this, a self taught, not formally educated in computers, only 22 year old girl, getting such an amazing offer. You may think I was crazy, but I value the asset of an education, so I turned the offer down to finish school, and moved to Nova Scotia. I finally left Better.Net, and jumped on a plane to Nova Scotia. This time I started my degree in Computer Information Systems and Information Tech. (We just got back our midterms. Guess who got the highest mark in the class on the Information Systems midterm? *wink*) Besides, with the schooling I’m getting, an opportunity like UUNET or better will resurface. So, here is where I stand today. Fiddling with my webpage, playing with IRC bots, learning more commands on my Unix shells, doing schoolwork, and endlessly learning more and more about everything computer!

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

My University at the time gave all its students access to the Internet. Since then, my computer has been part of my biological processes.

How do you earn a living?

I'm a starving Computer Information Systems and Information Technology student at the moment. I earn my money through marks. Well.... maybe. I do have a part time job. I help my friend's father out at his place of work.

Do you consider yourself a Geek?

I know some of my friends think I must be Bill Gates' trainee, but I have so much more to learn. I don't think I will consider myself fully a geek until I know more then my very successful geeky friends, who have helped me get this far.

What is your favorite Website?

Hmmmm, this is a tough one. I don't have a favorite site really, I just have sites I like visiting. If I was strapped to choose, download.com would be up there, surfy.com, because that’s where all my websearches start, and aprilfools.com cuz that place cracks me right up.

What do you do when you are not working?

I like to watch tv and unwind, read magazines like Discover, cuddle with my better half, and go out and party. If the phone is free though, (which is rare where I live now) you can be sure I’m surfing, chatting with friends from home, or playing with something on the net. If not, I’m usually doing offline things like writing HTML or editing someone else’s scripts for my own gain when I’m on my 'puter'.