Gary Simmons: Local sys-op and owner of used car lot. Helped me set up my BBS when I was a teenager. Mr. Edwards: 6th grade science teacher, leader of the S

Gary Simmons: Local sys-op and owner of used car lot. Helped me set up my BBS when I was a teenager. Mr. Edwards: 6th grade science teacher, leader of the Sour Lake Elementary Model Rocket Club. Uncle Todd: Showed me my first computer (Apple II), fed me with electronics, bought me my first decent soldering iron. Professer Hahn: Had the patience to walk me through physics that was way over my head, because he believed I could do it and was so excited about it. We eventually co-published a paper. Steve Koster: Web early-bird, ex-boss. Taught me stuff about design. Gave me the freedom to hack on cool stuff and get paid for it. All of those people have done infinitely more to inspire me than anyone on your list. The difference? They're people that believed in me and acted on that. Could I propose a new rule? No more fawning over Paul on this site. It's just kind of yucky.