Herbert PötzlI use both Linux-VServer and OpenVZ at work for server virtualization and they both work fantastically. Since I've already done an interview with the head of the OpenVZ project, I thought it was time for an interview with the head of the Linux-VServer project. I ran across Herbert Pötzl on the Linux-VServer IRC channel (#vserver on irc.oftc.net) and he was kind enough to grant me this interview. Herbert is hereafter referred to by his IRC nick, Bertl.

About the Linux-VServer

ML: Please tell me a little bit about yourself... education, hobbies, family, employment, etc?

Bertl: After finishing the Secondary School (focus on Natural Sciences). I started studying Physics and, once available, Computer Sciences. Finished with a DIPL.-ING. in CS (equivalent of M.S. degree). I'm still working on my PhD Thesis.

My hobbies include, but are not limited to (besides coding): Juggling, Billiards, The Movies, Electronics.

I'm currently self employed as IT Consultant, and lucky me, my beautiful wife is an artist and IT expert.

ML: For those unfamiliar with Linux-VServer, could you please provide a brief description of what it is?

Bertl: Linux-VServer is an isolation technique in concept very similar to BSD Jails or Solaris Containers, which allows multiple Linux environments to run on a single kernel side by side, with no measurable overhead.

Ken had ownership of both the BozemanLUG.org and HelenaLUG.org domains and controlled the websites and mailing lists. Oddly enough, the company that was doing the DNS and hosting of the BozemanLUG seems to be having some problems. Their DNS servers were unreachable this weekend but they appear to be back up now... but the hosting services have not come back online yet.

Ken was hosting the HelenaLUG stuff on a machine in his basement and that has gone away... but I did rsync it before it went offline.

Assuming the hosting service for BozemanLUG comes back to life in the near future, I'm going to try and gain access to the web DocumentRoot and rsync it, as well as get the list of email addresses that was on the mailing list and start a new list. If the hosting company doesn't come back online with the content and/or I can't gain access to the data, I'll just scrub a copy of the BozemanLUG site from the wayback-machine and manually use the email addresses I've collected over the years from various BozemanLUG members and start a new list.

Assuming we can get control of the HelenaLUG.org domain, that should be passed to Bodhi Zazen who appears to be the most active Linux user in Helena... who it appears will take over leadership of the HelenaLUG for the near future.

The memorial service was well attended. So far as I could tell there were approximately 6 LUG members (2 from Billings, 3 from Bozeman, and 1 from Helena). Of course Ken's family was there as was Judy's... and all of Ken's co-workers from Key Computer Consulting and many people from the motorcycle club Ken was a member of.

We started by signing the guestbook upon entry into the building. That was followed by heading up to the front table that had three posters full of pictures of Ken for a trip down memory lane.

The full story contains several pictures. See also the photogallery.

Warren, Bohdi, Scott, and DonnieDonnie Lunder and Warren Sanders (both from the BillingsLUG) picked me up about noon on their way to Helena. The reason we went so early, given the fact that the service wasn't until 6:30PM, was because we had a mission: 1) Gain access to all of Ken's computers, see what they are running, and save anything that needed to be saved, and 2) Go through all of Ken's computer related stuff and help get rid of everything so the family doesn't have to.

Ken DykeUpdate: A memorial service for Ken was held in Helena on Friday November 2nd. 2915 Country Club Ave., Helena.

Ken passed away Monday morning, October 29th. Please read comments for more information. See also this comment from Ken's brother.

A comment was posted early Sunday morning to the BozemanLUG book section of this site. Please have a look.

Ken Dyke founded the BozemanLUG back in the Spring of 2001. He also frequently attended BillingsLUG meetings.

Ken moved to Helena in 2005 and started up a HelenaLUG... and continued to drive to Bozeman each month to host the BozemanLUG meetings until I moved to the Bozeman area (Sept. 2005) and he handed over the reigns of the BozemanLUG to me. He has been attending the BozemanLUG meetings on and off since moving to Helena.

New: Found some additional pictures from an old website of Ken's archived by the Wayback machine.

Does the Internet slow down, when you log on? Do computers wince when you enter the room, and breathe a sigh of relief when you leave? If so, we have a job for you.

Montana Interactive is a busy place these days. Our customer, the State of Montana is keeping us extremely busy. We're looking for a highly motivated self starter with an entrepreneurial approach to web development to join our staff. We have a relaxed working environment but we do like to work hard. We offer a good solid benefits package, 401k participation, vacation and personal time. Salary offered will be based on experience.

Duties:

• Design and Develop complex Internet and e-commerce applications
• Maintain existing applications
• Work with customers and other staff to help determine project specifications
• Adhere to HIPAA requirements on confidential information

Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or related discipline or experience
• Minimum of 1-2 years experience developing WWW applications and websites using PERL
• Minimum 1 year of Unix experience
• In-depth familiarity with the Internet and WWW applications
• Following knowledge a plus: SQL, PHP, Javascript, Java, Oracle, Mailing list services, database design, networking protocols, or mainframe emulation protocols.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills
• Self-motivated and creative

Send a resume to: tom@egovmt.com

• When: Thursday, November 1st, 6:00pm
• Where: Sean Kelly's, Back Half of Restaurant
• Topic: TBD

This is a little dated (January 2007) but I just ran across it today. It's yet another glimpse into the Linux Kernel Development process. I haven't watched it all yet so I'll leave additional comments for later.

If you didn't read the article, David put out a video.

Kir posted a blog entry regarding Andrew Morton's keynote from the LinuxWorld Expo 2007 keynote (from August as seen a few items below) wanting to get a transcript of what Andrew said about containers and OpenVZ... so I spent about 30 minutes making it so. Here's what Andrew said:

"The one prediction I am prepared to make... is that over the next 1 to 2 years there'll be quite a lot of focus in the Linux kernel on... the core of the Linux kernel... on the project which has many names. Some people call it containerization... others will call it operating system virtualization... other people will call it resource management. It's a whole cloud of different features which have different applications.