Teresa preferred a picture of her The Flash comic Converse All Star shoes. Can’t say we blame her; they’re pretty cool.
Sure, you love using BitTorrent (or the tiny-yet-mighty client, µTorrent) but how much do you know about the people behind the product? We kicked things off with Adam and while we should’ve followed up this past Thursday, we decided to show the world how the BitTorrent ecosystem powers millions of legitimate music downloads. If you haven’t seen the infographic yet, go NOW. We’ll wait.
In case you were wondering how BitTorrent keeps getting better, meet Teresa Hernandez. She’s talking to users day-in-and-out to find out how we can make your favorite torrenting client the best it can be. We also discussed her involvement in the Bay Area theatre scene along with a shoe fetish that puts all others to shame. Without further ado…
So, Teresa, what do you do at BitTorrent?
I’m the Usability Engineer so it’s my job to make sure that our product teams and other members of our product development staff talk to and really get users’ opinions on what it is we’re doing.
Where are you from originally?
Pueblo, Colorado.
How did you end up here?
I was looking for a job in San Francisco much like Adam was and I stumbled upon the job advertisement online and I was really happy to do so because at the time, it was a small up-and-coming company. I’ve been at BitTorrent a year-and-a-half and when I started, we were half the size (about 50 employees) we are now. So, it’s been great. I love the vibe here.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
I think it’s two parts: I really love the people I work with. Folks here are really smart and curious about a lot of different things and the other part is that – actually, I don’t think most people know this – we talk to between 10-20 new people per week. I actually get to talk to torrent users every day and it’s a lot of fun.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Most of the time, when I’m not here, I work as a freelance technician for Professional Non-Equity Theater. I mostly stage-manage plays, some dance as well – for little, independent theaters around the area.
Interesting. Is there anything you’d recommend we check out?
We just completed the SF Fringe Festival earlier this September. It’s an annual event and will return next year. I would definitely recommend checking out Kiss of the Spider Woman.
What is one thing you wish people knew about BitTorrent?
One thing I wish people knew is that we really want to talk to them and get their feedback. So, if you torrent regularly and live in the San Francisco Bay Area, please stop into our office. We’ll give you drinks and snacks and won’t take up too much of your time. (Editor’s note: if you’d like to participate, please email [email protected]).
In 2006, this guy set the Guinness World Record for owning the most pairs of Converse shoes. Will Teresa beat him one day?
I’ve noticed you wear Converse shoes. Tell me about the ones you’re wearing.
I’ve been collecting Converse All Star shoes for years now. They’re comfortable and durable. Growing up, my Mom wouldn’t let me wear them so now I do practically every single day. The ones I’m wearing are from The Flash comic. Some people wear jewelry, I accessorize with my shoes.
Where do you like to buy your shoes?
The official Converse store has a lot of special, limited edition designs like the pair I’m wearing. I also recommend going to a second-hand store, getting a pair of solid-colored shoes, and adding your own personal touch.
Thanks again, Teresa!
