Interview: Alan Cox, Open Source Technologist

By Dawn M. Foster (91 posts) on September 2, 2009 at 8:00 am

Alan Cox is an Open Source Technologist in Intel's Open Source Technology Center working on Linux kernel development. He has been heavily involved in the development of the Linux kernel since its early days in 1991, and he spent about 10 years working at Red Hat prior to joining Intel. Alan maintained the 2.2 branch of the Linux kernel, and some versions of the 2.4 branch. He has also been involved in the GNOME and X.Org projects, and was the main developer of AberMUD.

Dawn: What do you like about working in Intel's Open Source Technology Center (OTC)?

Alan: Joining Intel was a bit of a leap into the dark, and initially it's a very confusing place because of the size. I like the attitude within Intel. There is a real "can do" approach and people all seem willing both to tackle problems and help other people do so. The nearest to "not my problem" in Intel seems to be "Allow me to introduce you to the person who handles this".

Dawn: How has your work on the Linux kernel changed since you joined Intel earlier this year?

Alan: The public side hasn't changed much I think. In part that is because a lot of what I am doing in Intel has been helping review code for engineers which they will work on and release themselves as well as looking at things and reporting into Intel rather than outwards. I see helping teach Intel engineers about Linux styles and mentality as a really important goal. Having a large number of Intel engineers up to speed on Linux has a long lasting payoff both for Intel and Linux.

Dawn: Why did you decide to go back to go back school to get an MBA a few years ago?

Alan: I spent a lot of time trying to stop all sorts of other parts of companies I worked for and people I was involved with from doing mind-numbingly stupid things in the free software world even when told it would end in tears. Over time it became apparent that I needed to be able to understand what their frame of reference was and how to explain things to them in terms we all understood in order not only to tell them they are about to do something that isn't a good idea but to help them figure out what the right answer is.

Dawn: I see that you are also a model train enthusiast. Can you tell us more about your involvement in model trains?

Alan: I design and make parts for producing small models out of brass. It ties in to the computing side in designing the artwork that produces the models but it is mostly about creating things. There is something very special about working materials by hand using craft skills to turn raw materials into a real world creation. It's a magic that software just doesn't have.

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