I'm a computer scientist,
which means I usually design and implement computer software.
Since I have a faculty appointment at the
University of Puget Sound,
it also means I get to teach to others.
Before that, I worked at lots of other interesting places and
on the side I write software and text for the Linux/Open Source community.
You can read my resume for details.
All this has earned me some grey hairs--as seen
in this recent photo.
Although I'm most interested in operating system work (drivers, networking, etc.), I also have written microcode, large database conversion programs, and performed system management under contract. You could say I work from the very small to the very large scale problems.
My current language of choice is Python, but I'm intrigued by Haskell, and I've been digging into Fortress.
Feel free to drop me a note at
bentson AT holmsjoen DOT com
The script du.py determines the sizes of individual files and the accumulated storage attributed to files below each sub-directory (in kibibytes). It then sorts these lists and formats them to show the greater users of the disk first while displaying the hierarchy.
I've released SANE drivers for two models of Fujitsu scanners (M3096G and ScanPartner 15C). You can fetch them from .... I welcome your comments or enhancements regarding these programs.
I continue to make modest improvements to an upload/download program for a number of Garmin handheld GPS receivers. It can be found at here.
Besides writing stuff for computers to execute, I've written stuff for people to read. Most of my recent published work has been directed towards the Linux community. My report on a survey I did of Linux kernel developers appears in the Linux Gazette and was reprised in the Linux Journal. My book, Inside Linux: a Look at Operating System Development, has sold out, but I'm told it's available on the web. You can check out the promotional information at the publisher for more information.
The Ricochet wireless modem was the forerunner of the current 3G and 4G wireless data network. I've written an article for the January 1998 issue of the Linux Journal which describes my experiences with this device. I've explored their coverage and have partial maps of their pole-top repeaters in Seattle region and the San Francisco Bay area. (The blue dots are Ricochet's Wire Access Points, the red and green dots are the pole tops I've identified, and the light-blue/cyan dots are some misc points.) It was a good idea, but Metricom has folded and I'm interested in seeing if anyone picks up the pieces.
I wrote an outline of the early history of Linux development which appeared in the March 1995 issue (as well as the Linux Sampler). It also describes the dual development path for production and experimental versions of the kernel.
An earlier article (September 1994) described my effort to write a device driver for the Cyclades Cyclom-8Y serial asynchronous multiplexer.
Besides articles, I've written a book review and conducted an interview for the Linux Journal.
My writing activities have brought me in contact with the National Writers Union.
I've been involved in the local Unix users group and the local Linux users group since its inception.
I've been sailing for decades. It was only natural that I moved to the Puget Sound area -- it's got a temperate climate, attractive cities, and great cruising.
Sometimes these passtimes come together. The Corinthian Yacht Club has a page on the web.
My compulsive reading has led me to visit a great many bookstores. This is but a partial listing I developed in the mid-1990s. I'd appreciate any additions folks can offer. (There's no way I'll ever complete a catalog of my books.)
I've developed an appreciation of classical music over the past twenty years. My tastes run from Baroque to Romantic. Some day I may get my CD collection on-line. The chances are better than for my book collection.
I've attended a few meetings of the "webmasters" group of the Seattle Community Network. Check out their page.
