Team
Tommi, the founder of Rotko Network, represents a generation that mastered the QWERTY keyboard before perfecting handwriting. With over two decades of experience in building hardware, software, and managing servers, Tommi's journey through the digital landscape is as old as the commercial internet itself.
His adventure with Bitcoin began in 2008, running the first version on a Pentium D950. However, it wasn't until 2013, when Snowden's revelations confirmed his most paranoid thoughts about mass surveillance, that Tommi fully grasped the importance of decentralized systems. He realized that the internet, once a user-driven landscape, had fallen under the control of a handful of corporations, compromising user privacy and freedom.
This eye-opening realization led to the creation of Rotko Network. Tommi's mission is to reshape the internet into a space truly owned by its users, where privacy is fundamental and centralized control is minimized. With the dedication of a seasoned software enthusiast and the heart of a digital freedom fighter, Tommi stands at the helm of this initiative, working to end data exploitation and build a user-centric, user-owned internet infrastructure.
Meet Dan, a bona fide wizard of programming who cut his teeth coding back in the 90s, drawing inspiration from the music demoscene. With more than two decades under his belt, he's a seasoned veteran who understands the ins and outs of the game.
Just like many of us old-timers, he has a deep appreciation for functional programming and a penchant for clarity in code, with Rust being his go-to tool. He's got this knack for building software that runs as close to the metal as possible, extracting every bit of performance he can get.
One of his remarkable feats is constructing intricate drum machines entirely from scratch, a testament to his understanding of complex systems and algorithmic creativity. He's not just a coder; he's a craftsman.
Meet Al, our SEA timezone DevOps maestro, whose journey from pure mathematics to the world of backend development and deployment is as fascinating as a well-optimized algorithm. With a fresh master's degree in mathematics, Al's love affair with Linux was the plot twist that redirected his career path from abstract theorems to applied math in from of the code.
While his classmates were wrestling with complex integrals, Al was falling head over heels for the elegance of Linux systems. His setup is a masterpiece of minimalism and functionality, reflecting the same precision he once applied to mathematical proofs. You might catch him explaining load balancing algorithms with the same enthusiasm he once reserved for discussing the Riemann hypothesis.
But it's in the realm of deployment where Al truly shines. He treats our infrastructure like a complex equation, constantly seeking the most elegant solution. His latest obsession? Exploring how NixOS can bring the immutability and reproducibility of mathematical constants to our systems. Al's unique background brings a fresh perspective to our team, proving that in the world of tech, a solid foundation in mathematical thinking is an invaluable variable in the equation of success.
Walt, our Americas timezone NOC virtuoso, is the digital equivalent of a Swiss Army knife - versatile, reliable, and always ready to tackle the unexpected. With a rich background in full-stack development and systems administration, Walt brings a unique perspective that bridges the often treacherous gap between application development and infrastructure management. His expertise is a tapestry woven from threads of Linux wizardry, Docker sorcery, and cloud platform mastery, creating a skillset that's as diverse as it is deep.
In the realm of automation, Walt is nothing short of a maestro. Armed with Python and Bash as his instruments, he orchestrates symphonies of scripts that turn complex, time-consuming tasks into elegant, efficient processes. But Walt's true superpower lies in his approach to problem-solving. Where others see insurmountable obstacles, Walt sees puzzles waiting to be solved, often conjuring creative solutions that leave the rest of the team wondering if he's secretly a tech wizard in disguise.
With over 40 years of diverse and significant technical experience, Mikko is the ideal advisor for creating Internet and networking infrastructure at Rotko Networks. His expertise spans across all technical layers, from layer 1 hardware programming to layer 7 application interfaces, making him an essential asset, especially considering the CEO's top-to-bottom learning path.
His technical journey began in the mid-1980s at Nokia Mobile Phones, where he hand-wrote UI with NEC's Assembly without a compiler, demonstrating a profound understanding of low-level programming. His most notable achievement at Nokia was the invention of the menu buttons on the display, a pioneering feature that has become ubiquitous in mobile user interfaces.
One of the most noteworthy roles was serving as the IT Manager at the University of Turku, where he was responsible for managing and upgrading the entire IT infrastructure, including modern Data Center and network services. He implemented crucial projects like Datacenter upgrades, WLAN enhancements, network topology redesigns, and developed vital services such as private cloud storage and learning platforms.
His profound knowledge of technologies like Novell NetWare, AD, MS Exchange, backup and storage systems, IIS, ISA Firewall, DNS, and DHCP, coupled with his broad understanding of both low-level and high-level systems, makes him a tremendous asset for Rotko Networks. His broad and deep technical expertise ensures he will provide significant guidance in building a robust and efficient Internet and networking infrastructure.