Linux.com

Joe, you will certainly be missed.

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About 10 years ago, on my first week at my new job in Austin, I met this guy with short hair (and a ponytail), funny looking shorts and a black t-shirt that loudly proclaimed NARC WINTEL! Not knowing
what Narc meant at the time I assumed that it wasn't a something nice. I'm originally from Puerto Rico so I was only used to the basic 4 letter words you learn in English after they teach you the
difference between CAN and MAY which for some reason always has to do with going to the bathroom, but I digress. So there he was Mr. Joe Barr himself, "mi tocayo" as we refer to buddies with
your same given first name, to say that he was a character is an understatement. He was funny, charming, moody, interesting, a great story teller and as it turned out a devoted Linux and all things
computer-lover. Most of these characteristics you could ascertain within a few minutes of just being around him. Talk about making a first impression.

I never worked directly with him but was close enough to his cube (of course, those who knew Joe know that close enough to hear him means half a block :-) so we shared many good times while
at the office - playing indoor hacky sack, talking about his international wives club, ranting about the latest Bill Gates shenanigans, listening to his explanations on how a ham radio works, best practices
to avoid hack attacks and how to effectively feed farm animals. Some times we even talked about work-related stuff...

I was Susan's (Joe's wife) officemate for a few months way before they became and item, so I could go forever talking about his 'work-related' visits to our office... I can't even begin
to imagine how she's feeling today but we're planning on seeing her as soon as possible to personally offer our condolences and anything else we may help with.

Speaking of giving, Joe was kind enough to give us a little bud of wild puertorrican roses he purchased at Rose show in San Antonio a few years back. Having a couple of black thumbs we
just planted them in our backyard hoping for a miracle - trust me we've been know to kill weeds - and next thing you know we have almost a rose tree! Every year the rose plant blooms
with these beautiful and great smelling white roses that sometimes even grow above our fence!

Anyway, there are so many wonderful things to say about Joe there is not enough space to do it. Like I said, we met him about 10 years ago, and although we don't work together anymore
and we see each other once a year at the most, every time I remember him I always remember him (and me) with a smile, if not full blown laughter.

He will be greatly missed but I'm very proud to call him my friend and very lucky that that he gave us the opportunity to grow and smell the roses...

Jose' Vega
josevega10@yahoo.com

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You can (or may, i am confused now a little about that) place banner for ORCA or some other organisation on the linux.com?

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I never met Joe, but I feel like I knew him anyway from spending the last couple of years hanging out on the Linux.com IRC channel.

Joe (or "warthawg" or "MtJB" -- "Mister the Joe Barr," a punchline of a joke he liked to tell against himself) gave me a lot of encouragement when I started writing full-time. He also gave me a standard to measure up to, both in his Command Line Magic articles and his fiery commentaries. If I've learned anything about writing in the last few years, an important part of what I've learned came from Joe.

What I remember most about Joe is his habit of quoting bits of poetry (frequently e e cummings and Robinson Jeffers), and his constant string of "not on a first date" jokes; I once remarked that a first date with Joe would probably be separate isolation chambers in separate cities.

I know Joe had had his problems, but, even at a distance, I sensed that he hadn't become embittered as a result or withdrawn from the world. Sometimes, he would quietly slip off to run AA sessions at the local jail, and he was always talking about his latest dog rescues. When he remarried last year, I couldn't have been happier for him; if anyone was due for some good times, Joe was. And, so far as I can judge, I think he found them.

I always hoped that, one day, we could meet face-to-face, but there didn't seem to be any hurry. And now it's too late, and I wish I hadn't been content with the vague thought of someday hooking up.

There's no question in my mind: Joe was one of the good ones. I may never have met him him physically, but I'm going to miss him all the same.

-- Bruce Byfield ("nanday")

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I can say that he was just as fun to be around in person as he was to exchange words with online. His love of knowledge, Linux/FOSS, people, and animals coupled with his boisterous (to say the least) personality made Mr. THE Joe Barr, one-of-a-kind.

You will be missed Joe.

-Dean

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Good-bye Warthawg! It was a pleasure and a privilege to walk on the same planet as you. You will be missed, a lot.

Carla Schroder

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What terrible news - considerations to all his family, friends and colleagues. Joe did a fine job of promoting Linux, wherever he was employed.

Adam Williamson
Mandriva

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I and many others will miss having him around #hamradio on freenode. I was shocked to hear of this just now.

My thoughts are with his family.

"Kingsqueak"/KC2RGW and the #hamradio gang

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Under the gruff exterior was a kind and compassionate heart. I will miss you, Joe.

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Joe was a great guy and a great inspiration, we shared many a e-mail and he was an all around great guy. I remember when I heard he was getting married, my first thought was "A nice guy finishes first after all". So Joe, Vio Con Dios my friend and I hope to one day meet you face to face on the other side.

Now like Roblimo, Im going to go cry now.

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Regrets from a long time reader from overseas...

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This is very sad news, I can't believe it.

Always equipped with a good sense of humor and full of enthusiasm for FOSS and ham radio, Joe was a well respected and popular fellow in the community. I had the pleasure to meet Joe a few times "on the air" (in telegraphy, which was his passion in ham radio), and regularly on IRC.

My sincere condolences to his family.

Godspeed, Joe. You'll be missed. Heavenly DX and 73. W5CT de DJ1YFK SK dit dit

Fabian Kurz - Dresden, Germany

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As a writer, you are supposed to be able to put words on your feelings. But I can't. I just can't imagine logging onto IRC and not being greeted by MtJB with the usual "gm, dmpop." I'll miss his regular "time to feed the donkeys" and funny comments on everything from politics to the weather.You will be missed Joe.

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Joe helped get me started writing at Linux.com, and I always chuckled at his quirky retorts on Austin LUG's mailing list. Wow! He was a great character and really was a good Linux statesman.

You will indeed be missed, Joe.
de KG5FS

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Mister THE Joe Barr. Your wit, wisdom and smile will be sorely missed. Susan, you are in my prayers. Godspeed.

Jim Parkhurst

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I only knew Joe a short time from freenode's #hamradio channel, but in that short time grew quickly to appreciate his wit and wisdom. We will all miss him.
de AB9RF

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Joe really was very charming, and a very funny guy. He just made me smile every time I spoke with him, and I'm going to miss him.

My deepest sympathies to Susan and all of his family and friends.

- Kris Chapman

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I did not realised who Joe Barr was, on #hamradio he was always a very fine ham all the time and to me was a shock when got bad new from DJ1YFK.

Unfortunately our friendship was not deeply but I felt all the time that beyond keyboard was a very nice ham indeed.

My best coundolences to all family.

CT1DRB/OK8RB
David Quental

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Wow, sudden and sad news, this. A powerful, respected voice has been stilled. We'll all miss Warthawg and his fiery, insightful (and inciteful) articles extolling Linux and CLI and against the Redmondians and doddering fools of development of any desk.

Joe was a simple Western guy but no doofus. He knew his trade and he taught us all things that we didn't know, he stuck to his guns on polemics, and he was right most of the time. I'd have hated to face him in a courtroom, had he chosen the law as his profession. He was a special guy, a noted case study of a successful developer turned successful journalist, who had a heart of platinum and a brain to match.

We won't forget you, Joe. Your work will stand for as long as software development exists.

What's it like feeding the donkeys in heaven, Joe? Can you send us a report? How about 400 words on it?

Until we meet again on the other side ...


Chris J. Preimesberger
Senior Writer, eWEEK
Former colleague at NewsForge
Redwood City, Calif.

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I am very sad about this news. Joe Barr was one of the commentators and Linux journalists and evangelist whose opinions I always sought to read over the years, ever since I started to use Linux something over twelve years ago. Not everyone always agreed with him, but he was an honest man and whatever he wrote was always a good, well-argued, and interesting read.

I will miss him. And under these sad circumstances I wish the best for his family.

Theodore Kilgore

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RIP good man! :(

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It is such a sad time! I only new Joe threw all the great articles he gave us and by a few people who told me wonderful things about him. He was always true to his word. He will be missed by many.

RIP

Russell Ossendryver

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I never knew Joe Barr, either, but I've often read his articles here. He seemed like a good man, and I'm sorry that he's gone. My condolences to his friends and family, who seem to include a good many quadrupeds.

Craig Orsinger

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I only read his articles, and thought he would be a fun guy to meet in person.

I sadly will never meet him.

My thoughts and feelings are with the ones who miss him.


Dangerseeker

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Doddering old geek? I don't THINK so... He was only 3 1/2 weeks older than I am, and I'm still in my "late middle age" (with a tip o'the hat to the Good Dr. Asimov) :)

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Any man's death diminishes me, but some diminish us all.

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Will miss you Joe. I hunted you often on 40 cw but never did find you. The rags won't be the same without your stories for sure.

73

sk om .. de ke6sls

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I already miss Joe. This is very sad news.

Roy Schestowitz

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Condolences to the family. We will surely miss the witty warthawg.

manila philippines

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My condolences to his family and friends.

Ricardo Garcia

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they really are out to get you, and I can't believe they're going to stop just because you've moved along to better digs.

I hate this. Now and then I'll see a notice that somebody I knew only through the internet has died. That's bad enough. But I got the chance to press flesh and bend elbows with Papa Joe, and that's a whole lot worse.

I had the privilege of meeting flesh-and-blood Joe a couple of times, introduced by my friend and ex-LT editor Paul Ferris at Linuxworld.

Kind of looked the way he wrote - Texas direct, hard-hitting, and quick to smile. Tough old coot.

And always involved.

I once had the privilege of doing a tiny favor for him. He was pounding the war drums over some Microsoft hanky and panky WRT software contracts in Austin. He asked if might write one of "my articles", the silly little things I used to do. I was honored that he asked. It's about as close as I've ever come to being commissioned to do something - and by a Linux writer I read and respected, no less. Joe thanked me and said he liked it, but he would have done that if I wrote a hundred lines of "All work and no play...". If you're interested, you can find it at:

http://www.varlinux.org/vl/html/modules/stories/article.php?storyid=394

The free software world is a little poorer today.

PS: Joe - I have it on good authority that Toadie is wiping back a tear and raising a glass. Says you were a hundred times more fun than anybody at RedmondWare.


Dean Pannell (aka dinotrac)

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Being just an avid reader of Joe's always-interesting articles, and bereft of any personal acquaintance with him... all I can say is: May the Eternal Light shine upon him, and may his soul rest in peace.

The condolences of all Joe's regular readers and fans go out to his family, especially his wife, Susan. If we miss him this much, how hard it must be for you! May God give you strength and healing...

Condolences from ILUG-Goa members and readers.

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I never managed to work Joe on the bands, I only "knew" him from #hamradio...

Good luck up there, and never forget to wear your yellow west and the HT on your belt, W5CT

de do1gvt

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I've known Joe Barr a VERY LONG time...back to the Central Texas Sysop Association days (he ran a dial up BBS, which was a way of communicating electronicly LONG before the Internet. Though I haven't been to the ALG meetings lately, I still read the list. You'll be greatly missed!
73 de KE5ASU
Bill Eastman

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This is a truly sad happening for his family, friends and the communities he was a part of. While passing is inevitable and a natural part of existence, the loss is still felt by all. But when the grief passes there should be a grand celebration of his life and his impact on all of us.

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So sorry to hear of this loss. We'll miss you and your perspectives a lot warthawg. Time to feed the donks ...

Jay Lyman

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I never me Joe. I exchanged a few emails with him, but mostly we interacted on IRC. He had a great sense of humor and had a funny way of conveying his thoughts on things. He once came into the channel and said, (I'm paraphrasing): "We went to watch There Will be Boredom yesterday". And that was all he had to say about the movie.

MtJB, you were unique.

We will miss you.

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I know that Microsoft is breathing a sigh of relief with Joe's passing, but having known Joe about 15 years, I can say for certain he never spoke ill of anyone( except Microsoft)---Joe was everybody's favorite crusader, he loved everyone and everything. He made people feel good about themselves and connected with everyone with his tremendous love and sense of humor. His quote to me in emails:


"When the law is written for the benefit of global corporations rather
than the nation's citizens, it's time for revolution.

Hurry up, please, it's time."

We will miss you and try and carry on in your very big way!!!
Laura Schlotter

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I met Joe at a company meeting this past spring and will remember him always with admiration. In the middle of a long, otherwise totally corporate, day Joe wanted to say something about the limits of intellect and the meaning of spirit. He quietly offered a rendition of ee cummings to those within earshot, and when urged by those around him, repeated the poem for the room of 80. It gently brought the whole group to silence and then applause. We and the world will miss Joe. On behalf of our company we share heartfelt sympathy with Joe's family, friends, and colleagues.

Jon Sobel
President, Media
SourceForge

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I knew Joe through his writing before we exchanged some email and a lot of banter on IRC, and later met just a few times -- he invited me to join with some of his wonderful relatives at a little restaurant south of Austin. I knew I was at the right place when I saw his custom WARTHOG tag in the parking lot. I'd heard he was "irrascible" among other long words, and I wasn't sure what to expect, though he'd sounded nice enough online and on the phone. Joe, who I knew was a smart writer and technically astute guy, turned out also to be one of the warmest, kindest people I've met, instantly more-than-likeable. I had no idea he was a pony-tailed, ex-Navy, self-educated, free-ranging poet but he was all of those things, and I'm glad I got to experience him as a friend and source of always-useful commentary and editing. When people use the word "rennaissance man," it's people like Joe they're describing. To call his background complex is understating the case.

When I saw him in Chicago not long ago, he instantly told me with regret that the little restaurant we'd eaten at had closed, and we discussed some appropriate replacements for when next I came to see him in Texas -- now I can only regret not making it down. Everyone who's met Joe knows he'll be missed from this point on.

Tim Lord ("timothy")

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Last week I wrote to the fine folks who wrote iftop to find out half an hour later on the site that Chris Lightfoot died spring 2007.

And now Joe :-(

God remember him...

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The sad thing is that he is still logged into IRC : /

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Hi, this is Joe's wife Susan. I apologize for Joe still being logged into IRC. I know that it must be sort of eerie seeing someone who has passed away still logged in. I thought that I had logged him out by disconnecting. I have since closed down the window. Please let me know if he is still logged in at this point.

Thanks you to everyone for all of your wonderful comments about Joe. He would be so proud that if he knew that he had so many admirers and fans.

Susan

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I never met Joe in real life, but I always enjoyed reading his articles here. I'm sad to hear that he has passed, and I'd like to extend my condolences to his friends, colleagues, and most of all his family.

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Bye Joe.

You were one of the rare breed of communicators that could make a complex idea not only easy to comprehend, but in a form you'd want to read. I greatly enjoyed both your writings and our occasional dialogues. You will be missed.

Evan Leibovitch

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Joe, we had good times on Will Zachmann's Canopus forum tearing Windows 95 to shreads while promoting OS/2. You were one of the stalwarts, and you'll be mised, sorely missed. Good bye my friend.

Alex Beamish
Toronto, Ontario
aka talexb

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I've only met Joe in person once or maybe twice, but did discuss Linux topics with him online in replies to his articles or thru IRC. You'll be missed, as a fine journalist, but more importantly, as a fine person.

Sean McPherson
Louisville, KY
backtick on FreeNode

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I was shocked to read the title @ #hamradio today.. I used to watch him chat along with everybody around there, and suddenly... I never knew much about his FOSS activities until now.. Will miss you dear friend...

73s de r4d10n / vu3rgp

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Thank you to everyone for all of your wonderful comments about Joe. He would be so proud that if he knew that he had so many admirers and fans.

His loving wife,
Susan

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Oh no. That's what I thought when I saw the headline. So many of my friends and correspondents in our community are either disappearing or passing away. Joe will be missed by many. I can think of many times over the years where I have exchanged email with him and we've shook hands at conferences several times. It's a shame and I will miss his voice!

csm

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First, I would like to extend my condolences to Joe's friends, colleagues, and his family. Even though I never met Joe, many of his articles helped me through the years. I will never be anywhere near as knowledgeable as Joe but thanks to people like him, I have a help website for new Linux users.

Ken Buck
Deer Park, TX
http://convertingtolinux.com/

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Condolences to Susan, Joe's friends and family, and his colleagues for their loss. Very obviously by the kind things stated in all past posts Joe was a wonderful person, and while I didn't know him personally I very much enjoyed his writing. He wrote in a manner that made you feel as though he was there, talking with you. The kind of writer that made you feel as though you knew him if only for the brief time required to read his thoughts, as if they'd come to life.

RIP, you will be missed by a great many bipeds and quadrupeds alike..

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We got the news over at news.barkto.com, and our condolences to friends and family on the loss.

Randy

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Sorry for the late notice....

Linux folks are holding a wake for Joe Barr today, Saturday July 19. The wake will be at Bob Pendleton's home in Round Rock Texas.
2410 Sparrow Drive, 78681, 512-218-8279 (google it) I have his widow's approval for the wake. It will be going on pretty much all day. Bring what you want so long as it won't get you in trouble in Williamson county.

Bob Pendleton

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Oh, we'll miss you, Joe. *I'll* miss you, thought we haven't spoken for almost a year.
I met Joe thru his Red Wheelbarrow BBS in '94.
He was so happy for me when I got married.
I was so happy for him when he met Susan (and so glad you got married last year!).
Joe was such a friend and 'puter mentor.
In '96, when I learned Joe had a scanner, and I was really learning lots about 'puter graphics, I asked him to scan a few photos. Then a few more. Then a few more. Next thing I knew, Joe brought me the scanner, plunked it down and gave it to me! :) Such a generous man. Such a love.
I'll always love you, Joe.
Ruth
(formerly Your #1 Wife)
www.threetrusts.com

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