About me
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) |