GirlGeek of the Week
July 2000

Robin Finnell

Robin Finnell eased into geekdom in college. She had some geeky friends who played a laser tag game called Photon and played Tetris on 286s when the text was still in Russian. The group called themselves "Social Misfits" and passersby probably agreed.

But Robin soon found that all that exposure to geeks and computers was a good thing. In two years she worked in a few offices, each time moving from admin. positions to "PC guru" positions. Then in 1998 the Web called out to her. Robin spent every waking minute teaching herself HTML, dHTML, JavaScript and Flash preparing for her ideal career--Web designer. Last year, Robin started her own Web design firm, Seraphim Web Design and designed the following sites:

MK Ultra, a counterculture 'zine; Rust-Oleum, as in the paint people, and Key Element Farm, a horse barn.

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

While in junior high, taking a BASIC programming unit in math, I vowed (in my boredom) never to become a slave to modern technology. After all, I was an artist and had no desire to become a "geek." That all changed, however, when I went on to high school and our advanced art class had a unit in the computer lab where we had access to Apple computers with Koala pads. I reached a point of discovery when I learned how to turn on the "mirror brush" task! I was hooked!

How do you earn a living?

Independent Web design.

Do you consider yourself a Geek?

Proudly. Can we say "Trekker?"

What is your favorite Website?

It depends on the content. For a groovy Flash site that makes me drool, it's www.matinee.co.uk. For art, I like to browse through "Insects and Angels." For music, it's definitely http://mp3.com.

What do you do when you are not working?

I try to get to the barn to ride my horse a few times a week. My horse and I train in dressage. I also teach my kids how to ride horses. I love music and photography. I try to bring up my children with the most universal and/or diverse backgrounds as possible so they will grow up to be balanced people.

What's your motto?

"Always live by your back up plan."

Who is the person you most admire?

Joan of Arc.

When and where were you the happiest?

Anytime I'm at the barn with my horse.

If you could have one super power what would it be?

To fly, like Superman.