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About me

Kristof Kovacs
Author
Kristof Kovacs
Software Architect & DevOps Consultant

Hello, I’m Kristof, a human being like you, and an easy to work with, friendly guy.

I've been a programmer, a consultant, CIO in startups, head of software development in government, and built two software companies.

Some days I’m coding Golang in the guts of a system and other days I'm wearing a suit to help clients with their DevOps practices.

Well, since you asked... :-)

First of all, I'm a software architect. I've been programming computers since I was 7 years old – and I still find joy in it!

Some say you can learn all about a person from his environment; if that's so, you can look at all my personal dotfiles here. 😀

I've been practicing Iaido, the japanese art of samurai sword handling since 2014. The closest thing to an actual ninja that you can have on your team! 🥷

I'm an amateur Go player) (not to be confused with a Go programmer, which I also am). I like that in this sport you sketch out strategies with a rough framework first, and then fill out with details progressively, in steps. Kind of like software...

I'm an aspiring haiku poet. I like things that are simple, small and effective. Interestingly, it often takes a surprising amount of effort to make something simpler – but it's usually worth it.

I got interested in financial markets and options trading when I was working on stock trading systems in Vienna during the dotcom era, and it's still one of my favorite industries to work for.

I try to find time to meditate every day. (This one is not going very well actually.) I believe that it's hard to grow if you don't have enough time to reflect on what you know and what you need to learn. Also, a little training in concentration is a big help in one's professional life!

I used to compete in off-road navigation races with my brother. There I learned that an oblique approach works better against problems with too many unknowns, and that even the most elaborate plans often change.

And some more irrelevant things:

Myers-Briggs: INTJ, a rational strategist.
DISC profile: High D&C: efficiency, self-motivation, accuracy and sensitivity.
AD&D alignment: Chaotic Good: combines a good heart with a free spirit.
Astrological sign: A Cancerian man.
Favourite cities: Budapest, Vienna, Bangkok, Istanbul, London
To do before I die: See my list
Printed magazines: Economist, 1843 Magazine, The Rake
Sports: Weekly Iaido, and daily 5BX (somewhat modified)
Smoke: The occasional hookah or cigar with friends.
Drink: Socially, with friends. A lover of fine wines, especially Pinot Noir.
Spiritual practice: Mindfulness meditation
Favorite books: Neuromancer, Cryptonomicon, Ender's Game, The Mythical Man-Month
Favorite music: Thievery Corporation, US3, New Model Army
Favorite movies: Ronin, Hero, K-Pax
Favorite TV series: Stargate, House, M.D., Battlestar Galactica
Occupation: Software Architect and DevOps consultant. (CV)