10 Questions with Gianni Rosa Gallina

Gianni is a Windows Embedded, Emerging Experiences and now Windows Development MVP from Turin, Italy. He is perhaps best known for his Pluralsight courses on virtual and augmented reality. An expert on Kinect programming, he moved on to HoloLens development and architecture at about the same time that the Microsoft Kinect team evolved into the Microsoft HoloLens team.

 

What movie has left the most lasting impression on you?

Back to the Future (fate is not written and if you really want to do something, you can).

What is the earliest video game you remember playing?

“Sopwith” on my very first PC when I was 3, an Olivetti PC1.

Who is the person who has most influenced the way you think?

My parents. “Think well before talking or acting, and you will never regret the consequences.”

When was the last time you changed your mind about something?

Earlier this week.

What’s a programming skill people assume you have but that you are terrible at?

Very low level programming. I can do that if really needed, but I don’t very much like low level stuff with 0s & 1s and raw signals. Fortunately, there are lots of people who love it.

What inspires you to learn?

I love learning because tomorrow I can create something new by mixing & matching skills or—the most important—teach or explain something new to somebody else.

What do you need to believe in order to get through the day?

That what I do is something useful for somebody else.

What’s a view that you hold but can’t defend?

Technology is the key to solving most human needs and problems.

What will the future killer Mixed Reality app do?

Seamlessly assist and help in our everyday life with tasks, adapting to context and knowing (or guessing) what we are about to do and anticipating our requests or needs.

What book have you recommended the most?

Michael Crichton’s sci-fi novels.