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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.
July 15th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Now that you mention it, Joe’s article in Nmap was a good one.
As I mentioned in my article, I didn’t actually know Joe Barr at all, but loved his writing, which was almost always clear and informative. Thanks for the remembrance of your meetings with him - that’s kinda how I imagined he’d be.
July 19th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Found this comment on my blog today. If you live near Austin then you might be interested:
[quote]
With his widows permission Linux folks near Austin, Texas are holding a wake for Joe.
The wake is today, Saturday July 19. I know this is short notice, I just thought of contacting you this morning.
The wake is all day at Bob Pendleton’s home at 2410 Sparrow Drive, 78681, Round Rock, Texas. Bring what ever you want so long as it is legal :-) (I live in Williamson County, not Travis County).
I have the first two cases of beer on ice.
Please pass this on to anyone you think will want to come.
Bob Pendleton
[end quote]
I don’t live anywhere near Austin, so I’m just passing this on.