I’m a passionate person. When I want something, I’m determined to get it. As a young child, I wanted to be an author. My mother told me that if I were going to be an author, I would be subsisting on small amounts of food and my luxuries would be minimal. For awhile, I was going along the path of pursuing a law degree which seemed to fit well with my personality traits of persistence as well as the ability to argue a point well when I knew it was the right thing.

But even from a young age, I became involved in computers. From my first “computer,” a Speak-N-Spell, I always had the fascination with a smart interactive machines.

When I was in grade school, it was an Apple IIgs. In middle school and ever since, it was a PC. I’ve played with flavors of Linux too. I remember “breaking” my first computer because my curiosity took me outside Windows 3.1 and I decided I should try FDISK. Oops.

Despite my interest in writing, I didn’t cultivate it publicly despite a published poem at the age of thirteen. In fact, I also stopped reading when I got a computer — that was where I was most excited. Because I was not afraid of trying new things (not much can get worse than FDISKing your MBR when you’re a preteen), I quickly became interested in everything computers and tried not to focus on one single aspect. I graduated from Barnard College / Columbia University with a degree in Computer Science just so I can have the programming background (though I don’t know how to program after all I studied). As a student, I worked as a Residential Computing Consulting, so I learned a lot about academic networking. I focused on network security as a Security Consultant. I learned Linux in 2001 while working as a Junior Unix Administrator. I designed some nice websites. I never wanted to be in one place, because the world of computers was vast.

In the end, however, I was particularly taken by the Internet and emerging technologies therein. My first online service cost me $5.95/hour on a slow 2400 baud modem (my largest monthly bill was a whopping $267.48). I joined many social networking websites even if my friends didn’t. I generally had a solid idea about the trends to follow (if only my parents, who were more stock-market savvy than I was, would have invested in my interests).

I love learning how websites work, the social communities that surround them, the news and hype surrounding websites (especially search engines!), and I especially love administering the servers upon which they reside.

techipedia.com is my blog where I journey through technology news that interests me with my personal spin. By blogging, I’m able to combine that first love of writing with love of the Internet, social networks, and technology. I hope you enjoy the journey.

And if you want to learn more about Tamar Weinberg, add me up on any of the following services. It would be great for you to introduce yourself as well.

• Flickr - pixelopera
• LinkedIn - puntruntATgmailDOTcom or Tamar Weinberg
• digg - tamar
• del.icio.us - tami
• MyBlogLog - tamar
• Twitter - tamar
• Facebook - Tamar Weinberg
• BumpZEE - tamar
• Pownce - tamar
• StumbleUpon - tamar

You might also have found me on the 10e20 blog, Search Engine Roundtable, or on Lifehacker. I write (or have written) there too.

Oh, and one more thing: What’s with the funny email?

I’m assuming that those of you who know me may wonder why I have such a funny nickname. Back in ‘93 when I first got AOL, I was using a super slow computer on a 2400 baud modem. The lack of RAM and the consistent fights over the phone line caused my computer to get disconnected from the online service, a term that oldies used to refer to as “punted,” numerous times a day. I fit that bill entirely. I was your classic case of being punted. Being the creative type for a 12-year-old (and since I was also dabbling in poetry at the time), I decided that it would be cute to append “runt” to the nickname. Thus, punt runt was born. I still use the name to this day because old habits are hard to break (and it’s really easy for old friends to find me!). Over a decade later, the nickname still fits: I’m still a computer geek and I love to write. However, when I can, I prefer to use “tamar” instead. (Note to the Gmail team: I’d love tamarATgmailDOTcom if you’d ever allow for 5-letter usernames!)

(Photo Credits: Rhea Drysdale. I’m on the left; my BFF The Lisa is on the right.)