As an ongoing promotion for my new novel, Null_Pointer, I will be interviewing some characters from the story. Up this week is Nik “Psycho” Sikes.
My View: How did you get your name Psycho?
Pyscho: Contrary to what some have said, it’s not because of my last name. It’s because I am in fact, psychotic.
MV: Right. Seriously?
Psycho: No, I jest. Or do I?
MV: So just how many comic books are in your collection?
Psycho: Four thousand, three hundred and fifty-two. Last time I updated my database.
MV: Do you keep them at your house?
Psycho: Hell no. I have a temperature controlled storage unit for that. I mean, I keep the current ish around for reading, but most of my collection are sealed away for freshness.
MV: I’m going to have to explore your “hobby” some more in future books. Do you have any Manga?
Psycho: Nope. Never got on that whole Japanese band wagon thing. But many of my friends love the stuff.
MV: What’s the most secure computer system?
Psycho: The one that’s unplugged. If someone really wants to get into your computer, they will.
MV: Have you ever been acussed of being a Black Hat Hacker?
Psycho: Of course. Mostly by ignorant clients who have spent buku bucks on some air-tight security system and are embarased that I was able to crack into it so easily.
MV: Who is your hero in the security business?
Psycho: Easy, Cliff Stoll. I read his book back when I was kid and he literally is responsible for who I am today. You should read it – The Cuckoo’s Egg.
MV: Actually, I have. Loved it too, but it didn’t make me want to be a cracker.
Psycho: To each his own, man.
MV: Vi or Emacs?
Psycho: Emacs. When I first started out in this business I learned from a book on Emacs and just kind of stuck with it. But I’m easy. I can use Vi or whatever is available. Hell, I used to write stuff in Notepad back in the day. That, my friend is hard-core. Purely for the fact that it helps you in no way at all.
MV: Why Boise? I mean, you could live just about anywhere doing what you do.
Psycho: I actually like Idaho, and Boise is just big enough to be useful and yet, small enough to not be too crowded.
MV: I like it here too. Thanks for chatting with me today Psycho.
Psycho: We’re done already? Wow, that was fast. Okay, have a great day!