Joe Barr started his programming career in 1974, acquired his first personal computer in 1980, and has been writing about personal computing, Linux, and open source since the early 1990s. He wrote for IDG at LinuxWorld.com and ITWorld.com from 1998 through 2003 and was awarded the ASBPE 2001 Silver Medal for Best Web Commentary for his piece entitled “Dumbing Down Linux.” He has been on staff at OSTG, writing for NewsForge.com and Linux.com, since 2003.