I don't really like talking about myself, especially to an audience I don't know. The best way I can probably describe myself is to create a list of things I am:
- My name is Ralph Slooten aka "Axllent" on most forums etc.
- I am a website developer by trade (link). I program mainly in PHP & MySQL for the core functionality, using mostly XHTML & JavaScript for the user interface. I'm not a graphics designer as I lack that special visual creative ability.
- I love Linux! I started using Linux in 1998 after countless problems with my Windows installation. By coincidence I walked past a bookstore which was selling Redhat 6.0, and after about 8 seconds of reasoning with myself I bought it, raced home, which is where my whole Linux journey began. Since then I have used Debian, Mandrake, SuSE and now Gentoo Linux (to name a few). I use Gentoo on almost everything I can now, including my desktop PCs, work servers, work desktop, virtual hosting servers and home servers.
- I love open source. There isn't too much I can add to this statement. I don't think that divulging all one's programming secrets to the world is necessary, however I do think that if one expects others to help improve software, then simply make it open source. Many hands make light work.
- I was born in Zimbabwe, lived almost 10 years in Holland, and currently live in Napier, New Zealand. After immigrating and living on three different continents, I think I'm here to stay a while ;-)
- I'm married to the girl I met the first year I moved to Holland.
- My hobbies consist of computers, programming, photography, music & movies. I know I should get other hobbies, especially since I'm continuously busy with computers all week long, but I find it hard not to improve on things I'm passionate about. My life revolves around computers and the internet.
- I hate politics. I really have it a lot!