2008 Woodie Awards
Geek of the Week
...Martin Heck, Academic Computing & Networking
By Jason Fish
4/18/07 - Features
[Oredigger] What's the geekiest thing you've ever done?
[Heck] Geekiest thing... definitely getting another room for all my computer toys (or junk as the case may be).
What are your hobbies?
I like playing on computers, reading Sci-Fi books, and hanging out with the other geeks!
What do you do here at Mines?
I'm a member of Academic Computing & Networking. Specifically, in the Academic Department Support side, I work on the various single-department servers and integrating departments' computing needs into centralized systems (your tech fee at work!).
What do you think of the pocket-protector stereotype of a geek?
I can't stand pocket protectors. I'm much happier in jeans and a tee with a PDA in hand. It's so much more convenient than the old paper & pen way.
I hear you're a fan of Macintosh, what do you think of the OS battle between Windows, Mac, and Linux? What's your preference?
Personally, I love Macs, they just work for the most part. Professionally I use whatever is in front of me, be it Windows, Linux, Mac, or even more esoteric things (Slate for instance).
What did you do before coming to CSM?
I'm still working on my undergraduate degree (someday, coming up on 10 years now...) here at CSM, but before working in AC&N, I've done operations & support positions with EDS, CH2MHILL, and several dot-coms, as well as bits of in-house development here and there.
Do you have a favorite Star Trek series Episode?
TNG and "The Drumhead." It's always good to have the reminder that freedom's never free.
What do you think of Google expanding into online spreadsheets, calendars, etc...?
It will be very curious to see how well Google can manage that kind of use. I would really like to see them open up some products, particularly front-ends like Gmail and Google Calendar. They could integrate well with several AC&N projects. However, it would still be nice to have our own back-ends. For instance, users could have Thunderbird or Mail.app or Outlook connect to the same back-end mail system, but use the Gmail front-end for webmail.
Do you consider yourself a geek?
Yup, and proud of it...
Have any geek jokes?
Not really... well... maybe "There's no place like ::1"
What do you think of the Mines culture? Does it live up to the 'nerd & geek' name?
Culturally, Mines definitely lives up to the nerd & geek idea, but in some non-traditional ways from time to time.
Are you a fan of chess? Any good?
I play chess every once and so often... but I usually do very crappy at it.
Do you have an idol or role model that's inspired you in life?
Even though they're fictional characters, Spock & Data. They exhibit the beauty of logic and order, but also the curiosity which drives our explorations; be it of space, the planet around us, or ourselves.
[Heck] Geekiest thing... definitely getting another room for all my computer toys (or junk as the case may be).
What are your hobbies?
I like playing on computers, reading Sci-Fi books, and hanging out with the other geeks!
What do you do here at Mines?
I'm a member of Academic Computing & Networking. Specifically, in the Academic Department Support side, I work on the various single-department servers and integrating departments' computing needs into centralized systems (your tech fee at work!).
What do you think of the pocket-protector stereotype of a geek?
I can't stand pocket protectors. I'm much happier in jeans and a tee with a PDA in hand. It's so much more convenient than the old paper & pen way.
I hear you're a fan of Macintosh, what do you think of the OS battle between Windows, Mac, and Linux? What's your preference?
Personally, I love Macs, they just work for the most part. Professionally I use whatever is in front of me, be it Windows, Linux, Mac, or even more esoteric things (Slate for instance).
What did you do before coming to CSM?
I'm still working on my undergraduate degree (someday, coming up on 10 years now...) here at CSM, but before working in AC&N, I've done operations & support positions with EDS, CH2MHILL, and several dot-coms, as well as bits of in-house development here and there.
Do you have a favorite Star Trek series Episode?
TNG and "The Drumhead." It's always good to have the reminder that freedom's never free.
What do you think of Google expanding into online spreadsheets, calendars, etc...?
It will be very curious to see how well Google can manage that kind of use. I would really like to see them open up some products, particularly front-ends like Gmail and Google Calendar. They could integrate well with several AC&N projects. However, it would still be nice to have our own back-ends. For instance, users could have Thunderbird or Mail.app or Outlook connect to the same back-end mail system, but use the Gmail front-end for webmail.
Do you consider yourself a geek?
Yup, and proud of it...
Have any geek jokes?
Not really... well... maybe "There's no place like ::1"
What do you think of the Mines culture? Does it live up to the 'nerd & geek' name?
Culturally, Mines definitely lives up to the nerd & geek idea, but in some non-traditional ways from time to time.
Are you a fan of chess? Any good?
I play chess every once and so often... but I usually do very crappy at it.
Do you have an idol or role model that's inspired you in life?
Even though they're fictional characters, Spock & Data. They exhibit the beauty of logic and order, but also the curiosity which drives our explorations; be it of space, the planet around us, or ourselves.
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