I’m fanatical by nature

Today I realized I’m a fanatic. I have an “irrational enthusiasm” for things I love. At the current stage in my life, that means (1) Google, (2) Firefox, (3) InterVarsity, pretty much in that order. Google is one of the most exciting things in my mind. I actively seek to learn more about Google and I’m trying to get a position there myself. I love using Google products and regardless of whether they make me an offer, I’ll continue using and promoting Google. I became the Google Ambassador for USC, a volunteer gig where Google gives me money to buy food for computer science students to take study breaks, that’s how crazy I am about Google. I love getting to know Googlers and to imagine what kind of resources they have and what ideas I would have for improving their products. Quite honestly, I love thinking about Google and using their products. I can try to avoid it, but I’m sure I’ll come back to it. Google is just a great company.

Secondly, I love Firefox. It’s the one browser that doesn’t suck, and as such, I’m probably among Mozilla’s greatest fans. I don’t contribute to the source code, but I love using the browser. I promote it actively and really believe the web would be better off if everyone used Firefox. Not just the web, mind you, but the users as well. After all, Firefox is a better browser, and people will be faster, safer, more efficient by using it. I was afraid to post this because, by being both Google Ambassador and Firefox Campus Rep, it seems that there might be some conflict. But I think now that I know both parties well enough that they’re easygoing about the issue. If they have a problem with me, I think they’ll tell me and I would, of course, be happy to cooperate. So best to be honest and blog what’s on my mind.

I’m a sucker for nice people. And a lot of the people in Deans’ Halls are nice people. So when someone found out I had Firefox t-shirts to give away, word spread like wildfire. I quickly ran out of shirts, and shortly thereafter felt tremendously guilty. Yes, the shirts are to give away, but we’re planning to have an official Firefox party on March 7. Now I have no shirts, but we do have stickers (two types), a backpack and a sweatshirt (for a raffle or competition), and two sizes of Firefox pins. These can be given away and they are certainly awesome items, but shirts are by far the most expensive. Now, I know the people I gave the shirts to, and I’m quite confident they will in fact wear them. But I gave them on a first-come, first-served basis, without announcing it officially. I know if I didn’t get a shirt, I’d be somewhat miffed. And indeed, I didn’t even save a shirt for myself. That’s fine, since I got a Firefox backpack.

Anyway, I honestly think it might’ve been better if I didn’t give out the shirts yet. But it’s really tough, you know, when I know it’ll be good for Firefox for me to give them away. This gives us two weeks for Firefox to get some good visibility around campus. Now, I just to mobilize these folks to spread the word about the party. After all, I have a goal of 150 people to show up. So I hope that actually happens.

I carefully considered whether these friends would be OK with their photo being online. Well, for one, they’re unidentified: I will not post their names. Second, it’s a very small, low-resolution photo. Third, they’re on Facebook, which is now public, with more photos of themselves. So I think this is a good way to show Firefox’s popularity. Of course, if anyone has any concern about this, let me know, and I’ll be happy to comply. One thing I want to do with this blog is have more pictures. Long paragraphs of text don’t make for a very interesting blog.

If you’re reading this and you don’t use Firefox, get

I’ve gone on long enough for one post, so I’ll save blogging about Google Santa Monica’s Open House for a future post.

P.S. Google Checkout logos are appearing under AdWords. They look slick: