Katharine Saar

Reading time: 4 minutes

PostgreSQL is the World’s most advanced Open Source Relational Database. The interview series “PostgreSQL Person of the Week” presents the people who make the project what it is today. Read all interviews here.

Please tell us about yourself, and where you are from.

Hi, I’m Katharine Saar (formerly Atwood). I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. I now live up in the foothills of the Sierras with my dog Lexie, my cats Waffles and Evinrude, and occasionally my daughter Quinn.

How do you spend your free time? What are your hobbies?

I love to re-create clothing from various historical time periods. I’m especially fond of the medieval period, and am currently doing a deep dive into the clothing of medieval Greenland. Some really amazing garments have survived and I’m looking forward to making a few. I also enjoy knitting, gardening, and furniture restoration.

Any Social Media channels of yours we should be aware of?

I’m @KatharineSaar on Twitter. Since I handle multiple social media accounts for my job, I spend very little time on my personal accounts. And it shows.

Last book you read? Or a book you want to recommend to readers?

I’m currently working my way through “Children of Ash and Elm” by Neil Price. It’s a really good history of Viking age Scandinavia. I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in that time period or just looking for a good read.

Any favorite movie, or show?

I love to watch movies, and I will sit through just about anything. But my two favorites are Wim Wenders’ “Wings of Desire” and Krzysztof Kieslowski’s “Double Life of Veronique”. They are both nearly perfect films (at least to me).

What would your ideal weekend look like?

Any weekend that I can spend with my feet up is an ideal weekend.

What’s still on your bucket list?

Visiting Greenland. But I think I’ve got a pretty long wait since I don’t think Nordic will be held there any time soon. But I can hope!

What is the best advice you ever got?

That there is a lot of bad advice out there and it’s often best to just use your common sense.

When did you start using PostgreSQL, and why?

I’m an Executive Assistant, so I don’t work directly with PostgreSQL. Instead, I support those that do by handling mundane office tasks that would otherwise distract from more important work.

Do you remember which version of PostgreSQL you started with?

Yes! I started with PGX in 2016 when version 9.5.25 was going strong.

Have you studied at a university? If yes, was it related to computers? Did your study help you with your current job?

I have been slowly clawing my way through an Anthropology degree for what seems like most of my adult life. I’ll finish it eventually. Maybe when I retire. But yes, it has given me a lot of insight into human interactions which I have found to be very useful both at work and in life.

How do you contribute to PostgreSQL?

I contribute to PostgreSQL by supporting those that work directly with it. I travel with my Executives to various conferences and volunteer to help at the registration desk or with organization. I’m also a member of PgUS and I handle it’s social media presence.

Any contributions to PostgreSQL which do not involve writing code?

None of my contributions involve writing code, so all of them!

What is your favorite PostgreSQL extension?

pgwaffles! An extension even I can understand.

Which PostgreSQL conferences do you visit? Do you submit talks?

So far it’s Nordic PGDay, pgDay Paris, PGConf.EU, Pg Open, Pg Day San Francisco and PGConf.NYC. I don’t submit talks. I’m usually at the registration desk.

Do you think PostgreSQL will be here for many years in the future?

I certainly hope so! Really, with so many dedicated people contributing to its success, how could it not?

Anything else you like to add?

I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone at the next conference. Stay safe and take care!