I had seen Murray come into the Resource Center twice a month to faithfully attend the C++ SIG (I work the desk on Saturdays when they meet), but hadn’t said much more to him than the typical “Hello, how are you?”.  When I sat down with him one Saturday to do this interview, he began to open up and talk about himself and his life and computers and his association with AlamoPC (and that’s my purpose, of course, to get people to do that).

Murray joined the organization in September of 1994, and has volunteered in various ways ever since.  He helped for example when the organization moved from the Petroleum Center to Central park, and has also helped in the AlamoPC booth at trade shows.

Murray’s main interest, however, is in the C++ SIG.  I have only learned in the last year or so what C++ is, by talking to Murray, Dewayne, and Bruce – all members of the C++ SIG.  This is a programming language (the behind-the-scenes section of the computer operating system that tells it what to do and when). You’ve probably heard of some other languages: DOS, BASIC, and Visual Basic.  Murray has also programmed in Forth and Fortran.

You can tell by now that we’re talking to a very knowledgeable person in regards to computers and how they work. Even more convincing is this: Murray has an MS degree in Math from UTSA and another MS – this time in Physics - from SMU. The thesis for the Physics degree was on “Microwave Ultrasonics”. No slacker here in the math and science area!  He also studied at the University of Dallas and at MIT.

A lot of his jobs have been heavy in the scientific areas, including several in the famous Silicon Valley area from 1972 to 1985.  He has worked for Lockheed in fiber optics and X-ray instrumentation, for Texas Instruments in ultrasonics (used in probing the atmosphere of Venus), and for Kevex in multi-channel analog and digital analyzers.

Nowadays he uses computers for some surfing of the Internet, but especially for writing programs in various programming languages.  He says that one of the benefits of computers is to help people stay in touch with each other and with the world, “although we need the face to face some too”. He enjoys meeting with the C++ group and with the “Food SIG” at a local Greek restaurant on Saturdays, and has some long-term friendships in those groups.

Murray’s other preferred pastimes include reading Scientific American, Dr Dobb’s Journal and other magazines, growing Morning Glories and watching TV news, movies, series, and re-runs.