Mr.Kevin Robert Elz, PSU

  Kevin Robert Elz, often referred to in computing circles as Robert Elz, or simply kre, is a computer programmer and a pioneer in connecting Australia to the Internet,and he is also a pioneer in connecting Thailand to the Internet.

  Some of his achievements include developing a number of important Internet RFC documents, helping connect Australia to the world-wide Internet, developing the internet-based research network within Australia, and operating the .au domain name from 1986 through to the late 1990s. He also managed the aus.* Usenet hierarchy from its inception in the 1980s through to the mid-1990s.

  He is an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne where for some years he worked in the Computer Science department.

  Amongst undergraduate students within the department in the mid 1990s, he was considered a semi-mystical figure, having written the BSD OS's quota system and contributed to its timezone management system. He was rumoured to have a work contract which allowed him time off whenever cricket was being televised, and also rumoured not to tolerate foolish questions from students.

  Having previously lived and worked in Melbourne for many years he presently lives in Hat Yai ,Songkla,Thailand.