Chris Haas
Internet Developer

Who was a big influence in your career?

I came to Ovation fairly young so, quite honestly, I’d have to say everyone at Ovation, especially Ralph, the man who won’t take “no” for an answer.

What was “your finest moment,” the thing you’re most proud of?

I wrote an experimental RFC (request for comments, when the Internet changes, this is where it starts) describing what we now know as SPF (sender policy framework, a method for verifying the sender of an e-mail). Unfortunately, I was beat out by a couple of months by a man named Hadmut Danisch, but I’m still proud of what, to me, was an original thought.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I’d like to go back to Italy, but I’d also like to see other places like Russia, Japan, South America and Africa. As an American Internet developer you learn that not everyone you deal with is from your country.

What was your most embarrassing moment in this business?

I made a mistake in not following an optional part of an e-mail specification written in 1982 that some people still use. Of course that “some people” would have been the client.

What attracted you to Ovation?

I was 19 and had a friend here.

How do you come up with ideas and solutions for clients?

One of the first things you learn as a programmer is to break a single complex problem up into multiple simple problems. When you realize this, it then only becomes a matter of finding the problem and following logic.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

People think there are two sides to a coin, but rarely can they (or will they) see both. Even greater, they don’t acknowledge the edge, the inside and the surface as sides because they think they aren’t important enough. Also, people that take analogies too far.

What talent do you wish you had?

Creative skills. I can do wonders with various shades of grey and, of course, the programmer's favorite color: cyan.

If you had to live on a desert island, what would you miss most?

Reading and/or music.

What can’t you live without?

Reading and music.

What are your plans for after advertising?

I have no idea what I'm even doing tomorrow.

Is there any food/drink that helps you think more creatively?

Anything with caffeine. A glass of Laphroaig goes a long way, too.

What’s your favorite sports team?

I played sports; shouting at a TV does no good.

What’s your point of view about politics?

People spend too much time voting for parties and not enough time voting for people.

Do you have any pets?

Nope.

What was growing up like for you?

Pretty normal, but I did have some great teachers. While I don’t remember the actual subject matter they were teaching me, I do remember them showing me how to see more than one side to an argument.

What do you do for a good time when you’re not working?

Sit down by the Mississippi watching the ducks and reading.

Do you have any kids?

I hope not.

What driving career goals do you still have?

I’d like to be noted somewhere in the history books for making a change in the technology world.

What are your favorite Internet sites?

channel9.msdn.com