Update:
Sept.
21 2006 Death of Rob Levin Confirmed by Houston Area Sources.
16
September 2006 Chatmag News.
Rob
Levin, founder of the Peer-Directed Projects Center and Freenode IRC network,
passed away from injuries sustained in a bicycle crash on September 12th.
The automobile driver that hit Levin is still at large.
(16
September) [22:24] -christel- [Global Notice] Hi all, as many of you are
asking about where to send your condolences, we have set up condolences@freenode.net
- e-mails to that address will be posted to the "Book of Memories" section
we are putting up on the website, as well as passed on to Rob's wife. On
behalf of freenode staff I would also like to thank you all for reaching
out to us today with well wishes and support.
Levin's
death was announced as a "Global Message" on the Freenode IRC network:
(16
September) [17:16] -christel- [Global Notice] On the 12th September Rob
Levin, known to many as Freenode's lilo, was hit by a car while riding
his bicycle. He suffered head injuries and passed away in hospital on the
16th. For more information please visit #freenode-announce
According
to the Peer-Directed Projects Center web site:
"PDPC,
an IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation, was created in 2002 to run the
freenode network and to establish a variety of programs relating
to peer-directed project communities. From the PDPC charter:
The purpose for which the corporation is organized is to help peer-directed
project communities flourish. Peer-directed projects combine open, informal
participation with broad licensing and wide dissemination of output.
PDPC
activities include:
* Operation of freenode.
The freenode interactive network provides resources to a variety of communities,
including those involved with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). The
network has a staff of about 20 volunteers who contribute varying amounts
of their time; staff activities include 24/7 operations, assistance to
users, code development and maintenance and problem resolution. They're
supervised by PDPC's paid staffer.
* Future Programs.
PDPC exists to support peer-directed communities. The best-developed examples
of such communities are those devoted to free software and open source
software. While primary emphasis is currently on the continuing operation
of freenode, PDPC is intended to eventually take on a broader role, including:
o The design and implementation of educational and advocacy programs to
encourage the use of free software in stable, non-tech industries, to help
improve the stability of the community employment base,
o The implementation of vocational support and placement services for community
members, and
o The implementation of educational programs for community members in the
areas of technical and collaborative skills."
Rob
is survived by wife Debbie and son Benjamin.
--Chatmag
News--
Update
17 September, 2006
The
following is one of many expressions of both grief and gratitude to Rob
Levin, a person who touched many lives, more than he ever knew.
"Rob
Levin, aka Lilo, who has for many years so gracefully run irc.freenode.net,
passed away this morning :(, from injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident.
This
is beyond tragic.
I'm
not sure I've ever known someone more dedicated and passionate about the
free exchange of ideas for the advancement of technology. As many of his
friends have, I've often tried to convince him to go for a more comfortable
lifestyle with a high-paying job, but he lived by a set of higher principles,
offering his talent to PDPC, with, in his own words, the awe-inspiring
support of his wonderful Wife and Son.
Freenode
is an IRC network where many of the sharpest engineering minds regularly
congregate to discuss various technology topics. Many open-source projects
have their official discussion channels on freenode. It's easy to take
all of it for granted. It's free. It's always there. it's always reliable.
Yet
we all knew Lilo was always tirelessly slaving, behind-the-scenes, constantly
improving the network, scrounging donated hardware and bandwidth, raising
money every year.
The
world needs more humans like Rob Levin. Not less. Saying that God works
in mysterious ways, in this instance, would be an under-fucking-statement.
I
for one will continue to look-up to Rob and his wonderful family as shining
examples of what outstanding character can achieve."
--Chris
Holland--
External Links:
Chatmag's
Discussion Forum. Messages of condolences.
Peer-Directed
Projects Center.
Freenode.net
Wikipedia.org
Rob Levin.
