The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source From Chef to System Initiative (remastered) (Interview)
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Aug 21, 2025 Adam Jacob, an entrepreneur and software developer famous for creating Chef, shares his extraordinary journey from a young SysAdmin to launching System Initiative. He dives into the challenges of developer tools, especially around GitHub Actions, and the significance of open source in his life. Reflecting on the tech nostalgia of the early internet, he discusses the evolution of cloud computing and the ethical considerations in AI. The conversation weaves through innovation in coding tools, personal growth in leadership, and the future of user experience in software development.
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Bulletin Boards Sparked A Career
- Adam Jacob ran bulletin boards and FidoNet as a kid, paying long-distance fees to connect globally.
- He used those systems to give friends internet access by booting into Linux remotely and sharing dial-out connections.
Linux Fueled Open Source Commitment
- Linux changed Adam's life by exposing source code and a generous community that taught him systems.
- That open-source experience became the core reason he values licensing and community-driven growth.
ISP Stack: From Modems To Red Hat Racks
- Early ISP stacks used racks of PC modems, Solaris or BSDI, Apache, Qmail, and DJB's DNS in small data centers.
- Adam saved money by running Red Hat and assembling rack-mounted systems instead of buying Sun gear.