Episode 66 - Interview with Andrew Smith

[Chess]

In this episode: an interview with recent Seneca School of Computer Studies graduate, Andrew Smith, in which we discuss various projects he has worked on including the Freedom Toaster, ISO Master, and a 2006 Google Summer of Code project sponsored by Mozilla that has been incorporated into the Firefox web browser and the Thunderbird email client, as well as Seneca's annual Free Software and Open Source Symposium; an email Listener Tip; audio and email listener feedback.

http://www.linuxreality.com/podcast/episode-66-interview-with-andrew-smith/

[bananabob]

Chess
I hqave a problem with this. Bashpodder downloaded it, but Gtkpod says it has zero length
When I look at the file with Gedit, yes Gedit)
this is what I see

<br />
<b>Warning</b>:  mysqli_connect() [<a href='function.mysqli-connect'>function.mysqli-connect</a>]: (00000/1040): Too many connections in <b>/opt/lib/php/DB/LibSynMySQL.php</b> on line <b>53</b><br />
<br />
<b>Fatal error</b>:  Uncaught DBException:

• :{ DB () Error Connecting to monitor1.libsyn.com! Too many connections}

  thrown in <b>/opt/lib/php/DB/LibSynMySQL.php</b> on line <b>56</b><br />

Let me know when you fix it
James

[bananabob]

Ok
I downloaded from the linuxreality website and it works. So no panic.

[Claudio]

Great episode, Chess.  Great to hear how someone in the community (and in the LR community) is contributing to free and open source software.

Out of curiosity, what did you finally use for the interview?

Also, I have to say that the format of the interview reminded me a lot of the one used in the bsdtalk podcast, especially how you closed out the interview if there was anything that Andrew wanted to talk about. I only mentioned this because I know that you do listen to it (since you've plugged them here before and I've seen your comments there) Regardless, Will Backman's interview format is great so why reinvent the wheel?

I'm definitely looking forward to more interviews in the future.

[Chess]

Thanks, Claudio.  Yes, Will's style was a big inspiration for me.  He is so good at it, and I don't think I am, that I wanted to use a familiar format, at least to start with.  I like the laid-back, easygoing style, so it works for me.  And I'm glad you enjoyed the interview itself.  I think there are lots of neat stories to tell and I hope to try and help tell some of them.

[ajlewis2]

I really enjoyed this interview, Chess. 

Back in the early 80s I studied some computer programming and I want to get into doing open source programming when I retire. I was inspired by Andrew's story. It is much different than my own, because he is starting a career and I'm ending one, but the idea of taking up programming is what inspired me. 

I have done a bit of study on my own in C programming, but haven't been very enthusiastic in keeping up with it.  The interview made me feel I can do this.  I'm not quite sure if I should look into doing some courses or try to learn it on my own. The programming that I had in FORTRAN and COBOL is so far back.  Still, I do recall the love I had for it and I'm pretty sure it would come again with C. 

Thanks for the interview, Chess and Andrew.  Good job!