Who is Imulus? Interview with Mario Ricci: Programmer

1. How and why did you decide that you want to be a programmer?
Well, originally when I went to college I wanted to be an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist. I ended up getting a job working in the field, and after a year or so realized that the field was changing. Big companies were taking over most of eyecare and the results were far from good, for both doctor and patient. I decided then to change major to do something with computers. Ever since I was a kid I have loved computers so I figured it fit. Once I took a few programming classes I decided I wanted to do that – it was amazing to create something really cool out of nothing. It was also very satisfying.

2. Which aspects of programming do you find most challenging to you?
I think the most challenging thing about programming is working with other people’s code, or old uncommented code. Programs can be designed a multitude of different ways, and unless the person is sitting right beside you it can take quite awhile to figure out the architecture or hardcoded secrets tucked away in some random class.

3. How do you keep up on track with the industry? Do you read blogs, network, magazines, etc?
I read news aggregators, blogs and search for particular things I am interested in. I have yet to find a really good single site that applies to my interests, so you might say I wander around online looking for things that apply to me.

4. What programming solutions do you like to work most on?
I get the most enjoyment out of design and architecture. I am always trying to find better ways of doing things, and a good architecture will separate functionality and add clarity to your code, while allowing it to be reusable. Its like you are building your own swiss army knife of code, and if you ever need to use that tool again you just open it up and use it, no more rewrites.

5. Since you spend most of your day coding, do you dream about it too?
Rarely. When I do, I usually only dream about a problem that is difficult or complex to solve, but occasionally I will dream about mundane blocks of code.

6. How would you describe Imulus?
Hmmm, I am not really sure how I would describe us in a few concise sentences. The phrase “The best job I will ever have” comes to mind. I love the work and the people even more. We are a flat organization who is constantly changing and getting better. It’s the whole package. I talk a lot about Imulus to my friends, and every single one of them is jealous of me and wants to work here.

7. What’s the best perk you enjoy at Imulus?
Can I do two? I would have to say xbox on the flat screens and beer in the fridge..

8. If you were about to travel the world, where would you go first and why?
Hmmm. That is a tough one – I want to go a lot of places but right now I am itching to go scuba diving again. So I would probably start someplace with awesome beaches, snorkeling and scuba diving. So I would probably say someplace like Belize or Bonaire, or maybe back to Hawaii.

9. How do you like to spend your personal time?
Doing just about everything under the sun. My favorite is sleep. When I am not doing that, I enjoy my weekly Krav Maga sessions, ice hockey, working out, snowboarding, mountain biking, camping, shooting, hiking, fishing. Just about anything outdoors puts a smile on my face. I love a good fiction book, enjoy (to varying degrees) movies and like two different types of video games – the online ones that are pure competition, and the role playing ones that tell a story.

10. What’s the last book you read and how did you like it?

I read Ender’s Game (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ender%27s_Game) just last weekend. It was really good – it was thought provoking and entertaining with good character development of the main character (Ender). I am planning on reading a few of the sequels.