[AusNOG] tom koltai - in memorial

[Paul Brooks]

Tom Koltai was the consummate Colourful Internet Identity - including before the
Internet was a thing, when dial-up BBS's ruled.
I recall doing business with Tom at OGN (where I think we met, Andrew), and drinking
with him socially on occasion - a gentleman, a rogue, and a sharp wicked wit. The
industry is a less interesting place with Tom retired from the scene.


On 23/03/2016 12:06 PM, Andrew Khoo wrote:
> [i apologise for the off-topic nature of this post, but there are many folk on this
> list that have known Tom in the past]
>
> for folks that are long-in-the-tooth in this industry, you probably have come across
> Tom Koltai sometime in the past.
>
> Tom is one of those people that are polarising - certainly i have met folks at both
> ends of the spectrum that really love him, or hate him.
>
> i have had the opportunity to work with him in the late 90s, and it indeed was the
> most challenging experience (people-wise) in my entire life.
>
> Tom did genuinely try his best to help this industry - many of his fights against
> the big T were not public knowledge, but he famously (but unsuccessfully) fought
> against both the T an T2 floats - arguing that the tax-payers had already paid for
> the copper etc in the ground, and why should we be offered shares to buy into
> something we already own!
>
> Tom was also instrumental in supporting exchange points in Australia on the east
> coast, around the same time as WAIA was bringing up WAIX. Whilst some folks de-cry
> the legacy of AUIX, there are lots of backroom stories on the how & why things
> didn't work out the way they worked out.
>
> Tom passed away two weeks ago.
>
> An informal memorial to honour him will be held tomorrow (Thursday 24-Mar-16) from
> 1800hrs at "The Club Room", Glenmore Hotel (96 Cumberland St, The Rocks).
>
> All are welcome.
>
>
>
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> AusNOG at lists.ausnog.net
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-- 

*Paul Brooks*

*Executive GM - Networks & Technology*

Email: paul.brooks at tridentsc.com.au

Mobile +61 414 366 605

 

Trident Logo <http://www.tridentsc.com.au>

*Trident Subsea Cable Pty Ltd*

*Pilbara Connectivity // South East Asia Systems*

PO Box 1614, Chatswood NSW 2057, Australia

Level 12, 37 Bligh Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

http://www.tridentsc.com.au

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