R.I.P. Joe Barr, linux advocate, ham operator, Austinite

Joe Barr image courtesy of triple3ranch

For years, Joe Barr (wikipedia entry) was a indefatigable Linux/open source advocate, ham radio operator, and fixture in the Austin tech community. Many of us came to know him though his Dweebspeak Primer which first appeared in '93. Joe later went on to write for Linux.com, News Forge, and a host of other folks. Even this year, he was still posting insightful articles -- like his post on Nmap for linux.com

His biting rebukes were always entertaining and to the point. He wasn't afraid to call a piece a slop-bucket full of self-serving hogwash and then to thoughtfully explain why it was. Those who didn't know Joe personally might have been inclined to think him bitter. Once you met him, it was evident that he was more of a rascal who enjoyed his "J'accuse".

Folks like Cujo, who are more eloquent, and Roblimo, who knew him better than I, have written notes of Joe's passing. I first met Joe at a party I hosted for Tim O'Reilly and Eric Raymond back in 1999, and last saw him at the December '07 happy hour whurley and I hosted at Joe Dimaggio's. Although I knew Joe mostly through his writing and appearances at the Austin Linux Group, he always found time to respond when I needed advice and personally reply -- even if the answer was no -- to every invitation I sent.

Rest in peace, Joe.

A sample of Joe's writing for Linux.com can be found on Google.