About

Who Am I?

I am Nick Zivkovic, and you’ve reached my remote outpost on the web. I’m a
student, with a very passionate interest in software, particularly systems
software. I believe that systems software is a last bastion of far-reaching
innovation in computer science, and that (for the most part) abstract,
higher-level software is focusing more on form at the expense of function.

What Do I Do?

I tinker with low level systems code, and write code that I think fellow
propeller-heads and myself might find useful. Occaisionally, I report and/or
fix a bug in code that I use, but am not the author of. Though I’m currently a
mere enthusiast, perhaps someday I’ll be able to call myself an actual
engineer.

This blog is meant to be a place where I can share my exploits in systems
programming, and of course a place to share details about my personal and
professional projects.

How Do I Do It?

I only use the best tools that are available to me. This includes technologies
like the Illumos kernel which has a vast array of facilities like ZFS,
DTrace, and mdb which have enabled me to compress the time it would take me to
develop certain projects.

I experiment with new ways of making computers do things, instead of doing it
the risk-free way (aka the way everybody else does it).

I leverage platform-specific facilites, instead of only using the lowest common
denominator, which is based on the false premise that software can’t be
portable and leverage those facilities.

I write code in a single, consistent style, regardless of language.

When I make something that is minimally useable, I put the repo online in the
hope that others can use it (though it is more of a test release and not an
actual production release).

Over time, I fix bugs, add features, and clean up the code.

By the time of the production release, the software is well commented,
thoroughly tested, and extensively documented.

Why Do I Do It?

To be honest, I don’t know. I suppose I do it because the process of inventing
novel or superior solutions is one of the most splendid, most enjoyable things
I have ever experienced. The state of being inventive and curious has intrinsic
value. Perhaps even instinctive value. And instinct is something that
transcends knowledge and logical deduction.

When Did I Start Doing It?

In 2001, I started fiddling with some Linux distributions, and by 2004, I had
devoted a lot of time to Gentoo Linux. By 2006, I started hearing chatter about
some fringe technologies like ZFS and DTrace that simply weren’t available
on Linux. Intrigued by the zealous and emotionally moving testimonies I’ve read,
I decided (at some later time) to research and then test these technologies.
Needless to say, I was so delighted with the smoothness of these technologies,
that I permanently switched from my beloved Gentoo installation. And to this
day, I develop on Illumos.

Where?

Mostly in Chicago, which is where I go to school. But also in New York City,
which is where I try to forget about school.

Contact

zivkovic.nick __AT__ google’s mail service

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