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IRC nick(s): MaffooClock
Role in SMGL: Net section maintainer, Tome Team member
Age/Birthdate: 24
Location/Country: Texas, US
When did you first start using Linux and why?
I think I purchased a box containing RedHat Linux 5.5 back in 1998 – back before it used a GUI for installation. That was also before I knew I could have downloaded it for free, but I had dial-up then, so I really didn't have a choice anyhow.
I don't remember what made me want to try it. Heck, I don't even know how I heard that there was something beside Windows! But I had hell getting it to work. Partitioning was cryptic to me then, but I got it working after a few days. I then compiled my own kernel. Kernel 2.2, I think it was – I remember it being 13MB in size, which took all afternoon to download.
How long have you been using the SMGL distribution?
I was introduced to SMGL by David Kowis who saw me setting up RedHat one day. "Hey, you should check out Source Mage – it looks like a pretty slick distro…" That was back in 2002, maybe 2003 – we were both in the Air Force and lived next door to each other.
What piqued your interest in SMGL initially?
With RedHat, and even Mandrake, all kinds of garbage was installed on my machine. Even if I opted to install the development packages (in order to compile stuff), everything was built for generic i386 hardware. But when I learned that I could build a Linux box that had only what I wanted/needed and it would all be optimized for my hardware – wow! After the first couple of rounds of building SMGL boxes, I became hooked.
What future do you personally see for SMGL?
I never really thought of it. I guess I just figured SMGL would always be there…
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Education/Career/Skills?
I started building computers at home when I was 17. I joined the Air Force and got a job on the A-3 Sentry AWACS, but could not fly, so I had to pick another job. I spent three years in Air Force IT, and then got out early to start work with General Dynamics IT. I jumped ship to Lockheed Martin IT after a while and worked on intelligence training systems, but we lost the contract last year.
Now I work as a programmer for Ener-Tel Services, a local business who offers building automation solutions. I write programs which control simple rooftop heating and A/C units as well as complex chiller and boiler systems and all related pumps, valves, etcetera. Pretty cool job.
I don't have any degrees (but medical school is in my future). I have a few useless certifications, but they do nothing for me, only for my employers.
Any personal messages for the Source Mage users out there?
Well, if they are already using SMGL, do I need to say anything?
What other OS programs/software have you worked on?
Worked on as in "participated in development"? None – SMGL is my first real project involvement.
vi or emacs?
vi
KDE or GNOME?
KDE
BSD or GPL?
GPL
Do you have any family?
I share an apartment with three cats. They let me stay as long as their bowls are full and their backs are scratched. It's a system that works for all of us.
What kind of car do you drive? Or what is your dream car?
I drive a 2005 Mazda 3s. It's not the fanciest ride, but it was something I liked, and I finally have one. I don't have a dream car – pretty much I only care about what's neat and affordable at the time.
Please attach a recent photograph of yourself – if you're brave enough ;=)
:-P