Why Perl?

Perl is very expressive for system administration-type work. There are modules that let it connect to services such as LDAP and ActiveDirectory, and it can parse any kind of log file. In a very short amount of time I can throw together a quick Perl script that solves an ad hoc problem. It is also suited for writing larger systems, including Web-based applications. I've been using Perl since version 4.032 in 1991.

You took leave from a job at Lumeta to volunteer in the campaign of Howard Dean. Were you focusing on using technology and Internet methods in the campaigning?

I joined the Howard Dean campaign because I agreed with his political policies on health care and the war in Iraq. Earlier that year my father passed away after a long battle with cancer. During my last days with him we had many conversations about life the universe and everything. Though he was very weak, he would become very animated when talking about the importance of stopping the war. He was passionate about it. After he passed I learned about Howard Dean, his policies, and that he was doing interesting things with using internet technology to gather grassroots support for his campaign. I did join the campaign as a full-time volunteer, but I joined very late, so I wasn't there for some of their big innovations but I was glad to be there to help where I could.

What was one of your projects in the campaign?