I have always been interested in computers, and would find myself hanging out with the Computer Science students instead of the Aviation Management or Business Management students I was a part of. At home and at work I have been largely self-teaching myself using computers starting with Excel and Access with VBA through ASP and SQL at work. Thankfully my current employer values education, and so I have been taking classes and not only learning the technology, but un-learning what I have been doing wrong over the years. At home, though, I have been teaching myself Linux, system administration, networking and the overall method of migrating our system from Windows to Linux. I am involved in the Danbury Area Computer Society (DACS.org) I have the opportunity to take what I've learned the hard way and hopefully help others.. I have been enjoying Open Source for a while now, and I am hoping to get a better understanding of the entire model and application.
Authored Comments
One thing I have benefited from with open source is the ability to try out technologies I otherwise would not have, or have been able to, without having to pony up money which I don't really have.
Not to mention, the documentation and community makes learning (and poking) in these technology not feel like you are on a wire without a net!
I have also used open source to provide computer systems to people that would otherwise not be able to afford a new one with a proprietary system AND software AND anti-virus.
4th Ed. helped launch Paizo's Pathfinder rules so it will be interesting if the WotC can take full advantage of this crowdsourcing, or not.