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Interview With A Maddog 116

Posted by timothy from the guiding-force dept.
DubiousFreak writes "Tinyminds.org sits down with Linux International Director, Jon "Maddog" Hall. Jon has been in the computer industry since 1969, using Unix since 1977, and Linux since 1994. He has been a software engineer, systems administrator, product manager, marketing manager and professional educator. Jon has been the Executive Director of Linux International since 1995, the first four years as a volunteer. Jon has been employed by VA Linux systems, Compaq Computer Corporation in the Digital UNIX Marketing group and Bell Laboratories among other companies. Read the full interview at Tinyminds.org."
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Interview With A Maddog More

Interview With A Maddog

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  • Since maddog Hill reads slashdot undoubtably (Score:5, Interesting)

    by t0qer ( 230538 ) on Sunday September 07, 2003 @06:38PM (#6895628) Homepage Journal
    How about a "Ask Maddog" interview where he answers our top modded questions?

    • server meltdown - text of article (Score:5, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 07, 2003 @06:45PM (#6895686)
      The next in the long awaited series of interviews, Tinyminds.org sits down with Linux International Director, Jon "Maddog" Hall.

      From LI.org: Jon has been in the computer industry since 1969, using Unix since 1977, and Linux since 1994.

      He has been a software engineer, systems administrator, product manager, marketing manager and professional educator. Jon has been the Executive Director of Linux International since 1995, the first four years as a volunteer. Jon has been employed by VA Linux systems, Compaq Computer Corporation in the Digital UNIX Marketing group and Bell Laboratories among other companies.

      Before that he was Department Head of Computer Science at Hartford State Technical College, where his students lovingly (he hopes) gave him the nickname maddog. Maddog as he prefers to be called, has an MS in Computer Science from RPI (1977) and a BS in Commerce and Engineering from Drexel University (1973).

      Tm: Anyone who searches for your name online, will come across an organization known as Linux International. What are LI's goals and what is its general purpose?
      MD: In 1994 an Australian named Patrick D'Cruze saw the need for a vendor-based organization to care about vendor needs with Linux. He tried to start the organization in Australia, but found that the Australian Linux market was not ready for it at that time. Instead he transferred the idea to the United States where a group of small companies ran with the idea.

      Linux International's job is simply to promote Linux among companies and governments. We try to do what is difficult for any one company or individual to do. It was Linux International who first protected the Linux trademark from being held captive by an individual who wanted to hold it ransom, and got the mark assigned to Linus. LI member companies also started the Linux Standard Base project, which later spun off to become the Free Standards Organization.

      LI helped to sponsor the concept of Systems Administration Certification, and now works closely with the Linux Professional Institute to spread this concept around the world.

      LI has helped major tradeshow and conference companies (IDG, Jupitermedia, Logon, Messe) to put on Linux Conferences and events all over the world.

      Finally, LI has tried to act as a vendor-neutral, rational voice for the Linux community to the press.

      Tm: What part do you play in Linux International?

      MD: Since 1995 I have been Executive Director

      Tm: As the mess with SCO unfolds, where do you see Linux heading? Is there really anything to be concerned about regarding their claims?

      MD: What mess with SCO?

      Seriously, this issue comes down to two issues:

      when will SCO disclose whatever code they say is "tainted"
      how long after that will it take for the Linux community to either:
      prove it is untainted (i.e. it is not SCO's code)
      remove whatever code may belong to SCO from the kernel
      SCO HAS to disclose the code under current copyright law. Some of this code has leaked, and people have stated that the leaked code is not SCO's to claim. If the rest of the code that SCO claims is also not theirs, then there will be nothing to remove. This type of issue has happened before with proprietary code, and even in cases of blatant copying, the courts have given time for the offending code to be removed.

      Tm: What role will Linux International play in the SCO debacle?

      MD: My lawyers tell me not to say anything. Sorry.

      Tm: Anyone who reads your bio will note that you've been using Unix since the late 70's and Linux since 1994. What are some of the greatest advances you feel that have been made in the operating system in that time?

      MD: Unix in the late 70's was a scientific operating system, not a business-oriented system. It had no real scalability. It was not SMP, could not do threads, had no journaled filesystem, no clustering (not even failover), no async I/O, a very simple scheduler, no ability to do soft realtime. Today, commercial

      • Re:server meltdown - text of article (Score:5, Insightful)

        by mindriot ( 96208 ) on Sunday September 07, 2003 @08:28PM (#6896135)

        I like his point about Linux being successful on the Desktop:

        The final step (for the home user) is to have the support mechanism that they normally use be in place. This is NOT having a contact with IBM or HP, but having the person in their church, club, next door neighbor, etc. who is more advanced with Linux than they are, ready to answer questions. This will happen when Linux is firmly on the desktop in the company, university and high school.

        Very true. This is the big advantage Windows and, to a lesser extent, MacOS have - a tight social net for support, so-to-speak. And having Linux systems pop up in more and more places - work, school, maybe some popular embedded devices - creates the basis. That way, it is at first not the people coming to Linux, but Linux coming to the people, who are then (hopefully) pleased with the advantages of the system, and slowly find more and more people around them who can provide helpful knowledge. I suppose this could even be more important than most of the discussions on where desktop systems like GNOME or KDE are headed.

        • Support your local Linux User Group. (Score:5, Informative)

          by MsGeek ( 162936 ) on Sunday September 07, 2003 @08:53PM (#6896319) Homepage Journal
          Very true. This is the big advantage Windows and, to a lesser extent, MacOS have - a tight social net for support, so-to-speak.

          And the local LUG is what? Chopped liver?

          The strength of the Mac community, from the very start, was the local MUG. There have been Mac User Groups around since 1984. Here's one that's been around almost that long: http://www.lamg.org/ [lamg.org]. LUGs, Linux User Groups, were an emulation of the successful MUG phenomenon, and in a lot of respects have transcended even the success of the MUG. Probably every weekend, somewhere close to you, there is an installfest/tweakfest going on thanks to your friendly neighborhood LUG. Since installing Linux has become easier as time goes on, installfests/tweakfests have become more of an occasion for Linux advocacy.

          SBLUG [sblug.com], the Santa Barbara Linux User Group, has been running a booth at the Santa Barbara Computer Fair every time the Computer Fair [lacomputerfair.com] people see fit to run one. The last one was last week, the next one is November 8th. People actually *do* go to the Fair to get a computer and wind up leaving not only with the Windows they thought they were going to install but also a copy of Knoppix to try out and kick the tires on. Some people even decide that maybe installing Windows on that beige box of their dreams isn't such a great idea with Linux being more mature and useful than they expected. "If I only have to pay $1/disk for this free OS, I can take the money I save and get a bigger monitor or a DVD-RW instead of the CD-RW I budgeted for!" Yes, this really does happen! I've seen it.

          If you really want to see Linux move into the desktop arena in a big way, you need to get active with your local LUG.

          • Re:Support your local Linux User Group. (Score:4, Interesting)

            by xilmaril ( 573709 ) on Monday September 08, 2003 @12:19AM (#6897321)
            a lug isn't chopped liver, but it isn't a family member either (consider the number of adults who use their friends/children as tech support)
          • Yes, but we are talking about a difference of several orders of magnitude. Going to a user group is something of a minority activity; asking the guy across the hall/your coworker/your friend is more the level of support that is needed. Whilst you may move in circles that are knowledgable about Linux, remember most people have never even heard of it, most people don't work in the IT industry, and it highly unlikely they'd know their friendly neighbourhood guru even if one existed.

          • Re:Support your local Linux User Group. (Score:1, Funny)

            by Anonymous Coward
            It is very odd if you have to get to a user group to learn how to handle a computer.
          • And the local LUG is what? Chopped liver?

            I was thinking more along the lines of "generally unknown to the casual user," but the general idea is pretty much the same.

            I mean, don't get me wrong, I think supporting the local LUG is a great idea, but I believe the parent post's point was that peer support for DOS, Windows and the Mac OS developed independenty of user groups. Until Joe Average can ask someone at work how to change the image on his desktop rather than having to go to the guy with the long gray
        • One other thing linux needs is a pool of talented people who know the applications. If you need someone to make up power point slides for you, call a temp agency and they will send someone over who knows powerpoint. We need to get linux to the point where if you need a guru you can pick up the phone and one will be over. Systems guru or applications guru.

    • Re:Since maddog Hill reads slashdot undoubtably (Score:5, Funny)

      by cscx ( 541332 ) on Sunday September 07, 2003 @07:28PM (#6895902) Homepage
      How bout I PayPal him the $9.50 for a shiny new Gilette Mach 3 and a can of foamy shaving cream?!
    • its forwarding to : http://www.tinyminds.org/modules.php?op=modload&na me=News&file=article&sid=1460&mode=thread&order=0& thold=0 which is a dead url...

    • Since maddog Hill reads slashdot undoubtably

      Sorry, his surname is "Hall". (No relation.)

  • Whoa, nice beard! (Score:3, Funny)

    by bersl2 ( 689221 ) on Sunday September 07, 2003 @06:38PM (#6895632) Journal
    He looks like a stereotypical UNIX guy.

    Or Santa Claus. Whichever.
    • I would'nt trust them otherwise.. :)

      Big beard and tweed jacket, UNIX gurus always had that as long as I can remember.. I think it's cool :) It shows you're 110% focused at what you do.

      • Re:True UNIX gurus must have a beard (Score:4, Funny)

        by WWWWolf ( 2428 ) <wwwwolf@iki.fi> on Monday September 08, 2003 @05:51AM (#6898186) Homepage
        Big beard and tweed jacket, UNIX gurus always had that as long as I can remember.

        The clothing may vary (locals seem to have t-shirt and sandals)... but the beard is almost necessary.

        I have a dual-boot machine in home. One of the recent Hugish Uptimes was due to the fact that my electric razor is broken and I was out of shaving cream for weeks and couldn't bother to get more. I couldn't bring myself to boot to Windows with a beard like that! No way!

    • "Here's a nickel. Get yourself a better operating system."

      My favorite Dilbert.
      • Mine too. It's posted on my cubicle wall at work - where I have a wimpy little Dell running Win2K and a screaming-fast Sun box running Solaris. You better believe I have a beard, and I do own suspenders ... and I run Linux at home. Footwear of choice? Birkenstocks.

  • He's a good bloke... (Score:5, Informative)

    by Dicky ( 1327 ) <slash3@vmlinuz.org> on Sunday September 07, 2003 @06:43PM (#6895672) Homepage
    An excellent speaker (don't miss him if you get the chance), a fascinating dinner guest, and generous with his hip-flask. And all this on my birthday...

    What more could one want? :-)

    • Agreed.

      I especially liked his point about the 'normal support channels'. In fact, I was just mulling over the same thought last night. What seems to be really missing from a user-appreciable desktop Linux experience is not so much technological, but personal. If Aunt Flo can't call up her next-door neighbor, and get a quick answer about something on her OS, we'll never see any rapid adoption. Remember, just because users have phone or e-mail based tech support available, it doesn't mean they want to

    • Re:He's a good bloke... (Score:2, Interesting)

      by Anonymous Coward
      Yes, a very generous fellow. He once gave this guy I vaguely knew (it was a big class) a MP3 player for his graduation. Very classy guy. He also taught a computer class for underprivileged children across town.

  • Sounds like John is looking for a job. (Score:3, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 07, 2003 @06:43PM (#6895674)
    Well, you posted his resume but, you failed to include salary requirements and a picture. Therefore, we are unable to offer a position at this time.

    We will however, keep John's resume on file for the next six months should an appropriate postion become available. Thank you for submitting John's resume. We wish you the best of luck in your life.
  • It appears that tinyminds have tiny computers :-(

    • Re:Slashdotted (Score:5, Funny)

      by be-fan ( 61476 ) on Sunday September 07, 2003 @07:21PM (#6895875)
      And of course, the size of your computer says something about the size of other important bits and pieces :)

      Me? Uh, I've got a dual opteron with GeForce Fx 5600. Um, the original *loud* one. Yeah...

      Okay, fine, I've got a laptop... :: runs away crying ::

      • 1994 (Score:3, Interesting)

        by zenyu ( 248067 )
        GeForce Fx 5600. Um, the original *loud* one.

        Have you tried anything else to cool it? I just got one hand as a hand me down when nVidia sent us a better one for one of the shared workstation. It was loud out on the lab floor, but is overwhelmingly loud on my desk...

        [On Topic] I have a great deal of respect for Maddog Hall and felt good hearing he only tried Linux in 1994.. I was a big fan of the brand new pre-release Windows 95 that year but my music major roommate convinced me to try Linux as a dual boo
    • Since when does phpnuke scale?

  • in case of /.ing (Score:1, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward
    Posted on: Sep 04, 2003 - 04:41 AM by mangeli
    The next in the long awaited series of interviews, Tinyminds.org sits down with Linux International Director, Jon "Maddog" Hall.

    From LI.org: Jon has been in the computer industry since 1969, using Unix since 1977, and Linux since 1994.

    He has been a software engineer, systems administrator, product manager, marketing manager and professional educator. Jon has been the Executive Director of Linux International since 1995, the first four years as a volunteer. Jon

  • OSNews (Score:5, Interesting)

    by LittleLebowskiUrbanA ( 619114 ) on Sunday September 07, 2003 @06:51PM (#6895715) Homepage Journal
    Maybe /. and OSNews should try to work w/ each other since /. is routinely a few days behind OSNews. This article has been on OSNews for a few days.

  • Article, before it gets slashdoted. (Score:4, Funny)

    by sinserve ( 455889 ) on Sunday September 07, 2003 @06:51PM (#6895717)
    Posting annon because I am not a karma-whore. Here is the article before it gets /.ed.


    Warning: mysql_connect(): User tinymind@localhost has already more than 'max_user_connections' active connections in /home/virtual/site75/fst/var/www/html/pnadodb/driv ers/adodb-mysql.inc.php on line 170
    mysql://tinymind:@localhost/tinyminds_org failed to connectUser tinymind@localhost has already more than 'max_user_connections' active connections

  • Slashdotted... (Score:3, Funny)

    by peterdaly ( 123554 ) <{petedaly} {at} {ix.netcom.com}> on Sunday September 07, 2003 @06:54PM (#6895737)
    1 +2 comment, and it't already slashdotted!

    Either people are actually READING the article...or this guys got a small server configuration. (MySQL connections are full.)

    As a linux user since 1995, I have a lot of respect for this guy. Too bad we're all SOL with the interview.

    -Pete
    • Either people are actually READING the article

      No, it is the effect of thousands of /. users trying to copy the text to get some cheap karma. If it wasn't for these people having the illusion that anyone actually wants to read up on what they are about to comment, the slashdot effect would not exist. ;-)
    • I've been a Linux user since 1995. Respect me! :) I started out with slackware and Linux kernel 1.2.8. it took me ALL DAY to compile a kernel on my 386dx40

  • Just Tiny Minds? (Score:1, Redundant)

    by peterdaly ( 123554 )
    Tiny Minds must have Tiny Server two. :-)

    That's the fastest ./'ing I've seen in a while.

    -Pete
  • I'm not sure I would be so happy if I were him. Are they trying to say he's intellectually challenged? "Read all about Jon 'Maddog' Hall at Tinyminds.org, where you can find lots of tiny minds."

  • A thankyou to free software developers (Score:4, Interesting)

    by argoff ( 142580 ) on Sunday September 07, 2003 @07:40PM (#6895954)
    I just wanted to say that from the time I first started to embrace GNU/Linux in the mid-90's to now - it has been a bumpy ride, and I have suffered much scorn for my faith in it, first from my collegues who advocated SCO, then from those who advocated Solaris, and also from people who advocate Microsoft. But none the less, I still must say that my faith in Linux and the people behind it have never let me down. Thank you so much, you are making history and as the centuries pass - I truely believe that society will look back upon you as heros who have lifted humanity up with a gift that can never be taken away, not just the code, but a newfounded freedom that countless billions will addore you for.

  • text of interview captured (Score:3, Informative)

    by stock ( 129999 ) <stock@stokkie.net> on Sunday September 07, 2003 @07:49PM (#6895978) Homepage
    is here :

    http://crashrecovery.org/MD/modules.php [crashrecovery.org]

    Robert

  • Google cache. (Score:1, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward
    Search for the URL [google.com] then click the "view the google cache for yadda yadda" link near the middle of the resulting page. No big deal.

    That link for me is this [216.239.51.104] but I've seen direct links to google caches fail before. First method guarantees it.

  • ... L (Score:1, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward
    Jon "Maddog" Hall. Jon has been in the computer industry since 1969, using Unix since 1977, and Linux since 1994.

    How many dates do you think he's been on in all those years?

  • Nice to see a person like Maddog still being able to have a bright view from a distance on Linux.

    Robert
    • Everyone can state an opinion and philosophize
      from a distance. The main issue is, of course,
      the quality of the opinion, and how well he
      has done in the past.

      Maddog has given lots of interviews throughout
      the years, and can I recall that he has been
      proven an astute observer on issue related to
      Linux. How he has done in the past is
      an indicator of what he is speeking today.

      (BTW, I thought maddog never worked at VA Linux,
      since there was another Mr. Hall by the same name.)

  • I met maddog when he came to Malaysia for the Free And Open Source Conference, and I got the oppurtunity to talk to him. Real nice guy, and has got plenty of interesting stories.

  • Google cache (Score:2, Informative)

    by ewe2 ( 47163 )


    Here is the
    cached interview [216.239.51.104] as it's still down.

  • As far as personal grooming Maddog doesn't give up much to RMS but at elast he seems to know what he's talking about instead of waxing outright fanatical. RMS doesn't even seem to be doing anything about SCO, let alone following the case.
  • it's back up [wwwtinyminds.org]
  • My host suspended the site due to high server loads. We noticed it Monday morning, and were back up by 8:30am. Sorry we were down. Mark

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