Who is Chris?
I am Chris. I am just a working man that loves aviation, computing, and family. I am very conservative politically, and morally. I have a pretty firm grasp of my beliefs can, unlike most, tell you why I think and believe like I do. I am a GOD fearing person that loves critical thinking about issues like politics and religion, to name a few. Some of my hobbies include computers and amateur radio. I am one of those all-around geeks that loves to see how things work.
I am an CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ Certified Technician, and have achieved the CIW Web Foundations Associate Certificate, and have years-and-years of experience in different types of computing systems including the following:
- Desktops — Windows XP, 7, Linux (Debian and RedHat based)
- Servers — Debian and RedHat webservers, BIND9 servers, DHCP Servers, and IPTables firewalls.
Work
Like I said previously, I love aviation and computers. I now work professional IT for Grand Prairie Independent School District. In my IT career, I have been responsible for setting up a medium sized intranet, consisting of numerous desktop computers, and two fully functioning servers. The servers serve as the intranet webservers, DNS (BIND9) servers, ISC-DHCP-Server (primary and backup), multi-user file server, MySQL database server as part of a LAMP backend, and the list goes on. My main job title in IT is now computer technician. I am part of a team of six that maintains a network of over fourteen-thousand computers.
Linux
I am a full-time Linux user and evangelist. I started using it at 2.6.5 on Fedora Core 4 (early 2005) as a tinker toy. I never expected it to become a full-time love for me. I was so bored with Windows XP, thought Vista was a joke, and now even Windows7 is pretty (I will give Microsoft that), but still not innovative, and I wanted more. I wanted to try different things like how to setup, break, fix, and manage a Linux server. It was a totally new experience. I had an operating system that did what I wanted it to do, unlike Windows and Mac limitations. I am now happy as can be, and my wife Carrie also uses Linux full-time and will even try her hand at the command line, even though it is not required to know how to use it.
I love Debian, (K)Ubuntu, and now CentOS. I use Debian 5.0 (64-bit) on servers and Kubuntu 11.04, (64 bit) on desktops and laptops. I found Debian to be rock solid for servers, which is a good thing, and the Kubuntu on the rest for compatibility, community, and overall aesthetic.
CentOS5 is an enterprise Linux distribution that is Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 (RHEL5) with all of the copy-written Red Hat artwork stripped out. It is fast let me tell you. I was surprised just how fast it was the first time I logged in to do some configurations and actual work. It is, like Debian, rock solid too, but I personally would not use it on my webserver, for no other reason than I love Debian more. It is technically equivilant to Debian, but each has their own preferences.
I am also a registered Linux user. I made sure I was counted in one of the up and coming Linux counting websites on the internet. So as you can see I am a pure hard core geek at heart that loves the technicalities of stuff. So when I write and you read, do not be surprised at the overwhelming bias’ I have for Linux, and BSD, and the uncaring attitude towards Windows and MacOSX.
Amateur Radio
I am an amateur (ham) radio operator. I was first licensed by the FCC in May 1999. Unfortunately I have not been very active lately. I had some equipment issues and restrictions set by apartment lease rules, so I had to set it aside for a while. I have one more tiny, tiny issue to work out, and I will once again be able to get back on the air as KD5HIY.
I want to thank Bobby Livingston (N5YLE), Rhonda Livingston (N5YVY), and Mike Porter (N5UZT) for administering my original technician class license in 1999, which launched me right into the middle of this great hobby.
I am now a general class license holder, and got it back when they actually had code test, and have plans, time permitting, to upgrade to the highest level license, extra class, soon.
Favorite Quotes:
“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” — Leonardo Da Vinci
“Because I have not found it, it must not exist.” — PSW
“Lack of focus leads to sloppiness, sloppiness leads to misconfiguration, and misconfiguration leads to compromise” — PSW
“With a PC, I always felt limited by the software available. On Linux, I am limited only by my knowledge.” — Unknown
“Its not a learning curve, its a perception hump.” — Unknown
“If a falling cat always lands paws down, and a falling peanut butter sandwich always lands peanut butter down, then a cat with an open face peanut butter sandwich strapped to its back will hover above the ground in a state of complete and total indecision.”
“The American dream is not that every man must be level with every other man. The American dream is that every man must be free to become whatever God intends he should become.” – Ronald Reagan
Linux is to computing, what freedom is to mankind… and then there’s Microsoft – My Friend Chris
“Bones will heal, chicks love scars” – Evel Knievel
Updated: 01-Apr-12
