Welcome to our interview series, where we chat with the passionate people behind the Collabora Online code. Collabora Online is made possible by the worldwide team, community, contributors and partners. Today, we’re sitting down with Bayram Çiçek, Software Engineer at Collabora Productivity to discuss his journey into tech, the drive behind his work, and what excites him most about the future of Open Source software.
About Bayram
Bayram’s journey into tech began in his university’s library where he was inspired to collaborate with friends to build his own programs. His path was further defined when mentors introduced him to Linux, LibreOffice, and Google Summer of Code, which motivated him to delve deeper into learning and involvement.
What inspired you to get into tech?
I got inspired by the idea of creating my own tools and the freedom to build whatever I want. These thoughts took root during my days as a student at a local university, where I spent countless hours in the university’s library collaborating with my friends to create some programs. Then my journey expanded further when my mentors introduced me to Linux, LibreOffice and Google Summer of Code, which motivated me even more to learn and get involved.
What was your first experience with tech?
My first experience with technology began by building my own website with WordPress and creating small terminal applications with C, Python and Java during my first year at the university. At the same time, I explored web development and android programming, expanding my skills and curiosity.
During my high school years we were given Android tablets by the school – this was my first technological device that had internet access and apps to explore. This sparked my interest in technology and later led me to study computer engineering in university.
What does working with Open Source mean to you?
It means collaborating openly to build and improve software that benefits the community. It’s about sharing knowledge, contributing your own skills and learning from others to create more robust, innovative solutions to problems. For me, Open Source embodies the spirit of transparency, collective progress, and the power of community-driven development.
What do you enjoy about contributing to the community?
Contributing to the community brings an unmatched sense of fulfillment. Knowing that when you implement a feature or resolve an issue, it can positively impact people around the globe is truly rewarding. Especially when someone from the far corners of the world says, “Thanks for implementing this feature,” or “Thanks for fixing this issue – we have 30 people in our company, and we will continue using the office suite.” Such moments highlight the meaningful difference your contributions can make.
What’s the best part of working at Collabora?
Collabora has highly skilled and supportive team members, providing engineers with excellent support and valuable feedback from mentors and developers. Everyone is always willing to assist, ensuring that you thoroughly understand any challenging topics and feel confident in your work.
Describe working at Collabora in three words.
Flexibility, helpfulness, cooperativeness.
What Collabora Online feature are you most excited about right now?
Contextual toolbars! This feature is really useful – when you select a text, you will get context toolbar near the selection. This feature helps users to use less mouse travel for essential features. I’m also looking forward to more UI/UX updates.
What’s your ‘day in the life’ really like?
I typically wake up a little early, enjoy some morning exercise, and take a peaceful walk in the garden. Afterward, I begin my day by handling small tasks like checking emails and planning the day. Once I’ve had a good breakfast, I start working on the tasks. In the evening, I spend quality time with my family and read books if I have some time. In my spare time, I dedicate myself to reading, researching topics that interest me, working on personal projects, attending online courses and enhancing my English language skills.
How has remote working changed your life?
Remote working has significantly changed my life by offering greater flexibility and work-life balance. I can manage my time more efficiently, avoid long commutes, and spend more quality time with my family. It has also allowed me to create a more comfortable and personalised work environment, which has increased my productivity and overall well-being.
Outside of work, what’s a hobby or interest that you’re passionate about?
I am a beginner guitar player and I’ve been learning to play using online tutorials. I also have a keen interest in space and astronomy. As a child, I owned a space and world atlas, which provided me with a wealth of information about the universe, Earth and various countries. Since then, I have continued to follow the latest news and developments in space and science from time to time.
My other interests include repairing household items such as door handles, electrical devices, water pipes, faucets etc… Even if I don’t know how to fix them, I at least disassemble the item to see how it works, which might give me an idea of how to repair it.
Bayram’s journey represents core values of open-source: collaboration, knowledge sharing and a commitment to building software that serves the global community. His excitement for features like the Context Toolbar and his inquisitive approach to tackling challenges highlight a forward-thinking attitude that continues to drive development in tools like Collabora Online.
