Residence: Davis

Club: Linux Users' Group of Davis

When was the club started?
"In January, 1999. It was started by Pete Salzman. The club isn't an official UC Davis club -- it's an actual nonprofit organization."

What's the purpose of having a club that is devoted to Unix?
"To learn things and to get help from other people, but also to help people and have fun. When I was in college, it didn't seem as if there were many hip people in the computer department. When I moved to Davis I didn't have any friends. So when the opportunity to do this came around, I just jumped on it to keep myself occupied."

What's cool about being in a programming club?
"It's open to anyone. Linux is a free, open-source attempt at a Unix system. There's definitely a use for other operating systems like Windows or Mac OS. But as time progresses, Linux becomes more useful for more things."

How many people are in the club?
"Official membership is 160, but there's at least 200 to 300 faces throughout the span. We get high school students up through people who are retired."

How about using Linux to create games?
"Both of my Web sites, Bill's Games and New Breed Software, are both Linux-based. I always end up playing solitaire on my own site. That's the one I get addicted on."

What do you do in your free time?
"Not much -- stuff like this. I've always been addicted to my computer. I've been programming since I was about 7 years old. Nowadays, I come home from 8 hours of work on the computer and I go home and get on the computer."

If you would like to know more about using Linux on your computer, the Linux Users' Group of Davis will be holding an introductory class on March 5 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the City of Davis Computer Lab.

LUGOD will be holding a free Linux Installfest on March 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To become a member of LUGOD, visit their Web site at www.lugod.org.

--Interview and photo by Laura L. Johnson, Sacramento.com staff