# Michael Kerrisk

> writer, Computer programmer

**Wikidata**: [Q16736721](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16736721)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Kerrisk)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/michael-kerrisk

## Summary
Michael Kerrisk is a New Zealand-born writer, computer programmer, and software maintainer currently residing in Munich. He is recognized for his technical expertise in software engineering and maintains a significant online presence through his personal website and blog. His contributions to technical literature and software development are cataloged in numerous international library and authority databases.

## Biography
- **Born:** 1961, New Zealand
- **Nationality:** New Zealand
- **Education:** University of Canterbury
- **Residence:** Munich
- **Languages:** English, German
- **Gender:** Male
- **Children:** 1
- **Occupations:** Engineer, Programmer, Software maintainer, Author
- **Field(s):** Computer Software, Software Engineering

## Contributions
Michael Kerrisk has established himself as a distinct authority in the field of computer programming and software engineering. As a software maintainer and author, he has contributed to the technical landscape through the development and documentation of computer software. He maintains an active digital footprint through his official website (`man7.org`) and his blog (`blog.man7.org`), where he publishes technical writing and resources.

His work has gained recognition across various academic and industry platforms. He is indexed as an author in major cataloging systems, including the Library of Congress (ID: n2010006171), the National Library of Korea, and WorldCat Entities. Kerrisk engages with the software community via GitHub (username: `mkerrisk`) and Twitter (username: `mkerrisk`), where he shares insights related to his profession. His career spans roles as a software engineer and programmer, reflecting a broad engagement with the creation and maintenance of software systems.

## FAQs
### Q: Where is Michael Kerrisk from?
A: Michael Kerrisk was born in New Zealand in 1961 and holds New Zealand citizenship. He currently resides in Munich.

### Q: What is Michael Kerrisk's educational background?
A: Michael Kerrisk was educated at the University of Canterbury, a public research university in Christchurch, New Zealand.

### Q: What languages does Michael Kerrisk speak?
A: According to authority files, Michael Kerrisk speaks English and German.

### Q: What are Michael Kerrisk's primary professional roles?
A: He is identified as an author, computer programmer, software engineer, and software maintainer.

## Why They Matter
Michael Kerrisk matters in the technology sector due to his dual role as a technical practitioner and an educator through writing. By bridging the gap between complex software engineering tasks and accessible documentation, he serves as a resource for other developers. His long-standing presence and cataloging in prestigious libraries—such as the National Library of Israel and the Bibliothèque nationale de France (via share catalogue ID)—indicate that his work holds lasting reference value. Furthermore, his activity as a software maintainer highlights a commitment to the sustainability and reliability of software infrastructure, a critical component of the modern digital economy. His influence extends to the open-source community, evidenced by his active GitHub repository and social media engagement.

## Notable For
- **Technical Authorship:** Recognized internationally as an author with identifiers in WorldCat, the Library of Congress, and Goodreads.
- **Open Source Engagement:** Maintains a public code presence on GitHub and social media following on Twitter.
- **Educational Background:** Alumni of the University of Canterbury.
- **Global Reach:** A New Zealand native who has established a professional residence in Germany, with works cataloged in libraries across Europe, Asia, and North America.
- **Digital Resource Management:** Operates the domain `man7.org`, serving as a hub for his technical writings and programming resources.

## Body

### Personal Background
Michael Kerrisk was born in 1961 in New Zealand. He is a male citizen of New Zealand and currently lives in Munich. He has one child. In addition to his native English, he speaks German.

### Career and Education
Kerrisk was educated at the University of Canterbury. His professional identity encompasses a range of roles within the technology sector, specifically as a computer programmer, software engineer, software maintainer, and writer. These roles classify him as a practitioner of software engineering and a developer of computer software.

### Online Presence and Authority
Kerrisk maintains a robust online identity. His official website is hosted at `https://man7.org/`, complemented by an official blog at `http://blog.man7.org/`. He is active on social media and development platforms, utilizing the handle `mkerrisk` on both Twitter and GitHub.

His professional standing is verified through numerous authority control identifiers:
*   **Library of Congress:** n2010006171
*   **VIAF ID:** 106801243
*   **ISNI:** 000000012283811X
*   **GND ID:** 1049268024
*   **Open Library ID:** OL6781278A

He also holds identifiers in the National Library of Korea (KAC201227824), the National Library of Israel, and the French collective catalogue (idref ID: 149329814).

## References

1. [Michael Kerrisk](http://man7.org/mtk/index.html)
2. [Source](https://www.meetup.com/nylug-meetings/events/254390584/)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20230206-links.txt.gz)
5. OPAC SBN
6. CONOR.SI
7. NUKAT
8. Korean Authority File
9. IdRef
10. [Michael Kerrisk](http://man7.org/mtk/contact.html)
11. Goodreads
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File