Lynne Jolitz facts for kids

Lynne Greer Jolitz, born on June 30, 1961, is an important person in the world of computers. She is known for helping create 'free software' and starting many new tech companies in Silicon Valley. With her husband, William, she developed 386BSD. This was the first open-source Unix-based operating system for personal computers. It was also the first to be shared widely over the internet.

A Pioneer in Computer Software

Lynne Greer Jolitz is a key figure in the history of computers. She has helped shape how we use computers today. Her work with free software means that computer programs can be used, studied, and changed by anyone. This helps technology grow faster.

Creating 386BSD: A Big Step

One of Lynne's most famous achievements is creating 386BSD with her husband, William Jolitz. Imagine your computer's brain; that's an operating system. Before 386BSD, most operating systems were expensive and closed off.

386BSD was special because it was:

• Open-source: This means its code was free for anyone to see and use.
• Unix-based: Unix is a powerful type of operating system.
• For personal computers: It brought advanced computing to everyday users.
• Distributed over the Internet: This was a new way to share software globally.

This project helped many other open-source systems develop. It showed that powerful software could be free and shared.

Sharing Knowledge and Ideas

Lynne Jolitz is also a talented writer and speaker. She is an expert on how operating systems work and how computers connect to each other (networking). She often shares her ideas about the computer industry. She used to write for a well-known computer magazine called BYTE.

She also holds special patents for new ideas in internet technologies. These patents cover how the internet works and new ways to store computer memory. She writes many technical papers and articles. These help other experts learn from her work.

Helping New Companies Grow

Currently, Lynne Jolitz advises a company called CoolClip network. This internet startup uses a special video production system. Lynne originally designed and tested this system at the University of California, Berkeley. Her experience helps CoolClip create and share videos online.

Awards and Recognition

Lynne Jolitz has been recognized for her important work. She received the "Geek of the Week" award from the Oracle E-Business Network. This award was for her many years of work in high-speed networking and designing operating systems.

She has also appeared on TV shows, like "Dvorak's RealComputing." There, she discussed how broadband internet changed the world.

Supporting Students and Women

Lynne received an award from the Physics Department at Berkeley. This was for her efforts to connect with and help former students. She also actively supports women who want to start their own businesses. She mentors young girls interested in science and technology. She helps them explore careers in these exciting fields.

Lynne Greer Jolitz lives in Los Gatos, California.