Michael Larabel is an American entrepreneur, software engineer, and technology analyst. Michael is the founder of Phoronix Media, an Internet media company that has become the leader in providing original Linux hardware content and graphics driver information through its many web properties. Its leading web property, Phoronix.com, receives more than 200 million hits annually and is frequently cited as being the leading source for those interested in computer hardware and Linux. It's also ranked as one of the top 5,000 web-sites in the world by Netcraft, a top 5,000 blog by Technorati Inc, and has received many other accolades.

Launched in 2008, Michael Larabel is also the lead developer of the Phoronix Test Suite. This award winning benchmarking and performance profiling software is used in validating hardware, tracking performance regressions, and profiling hardware performance under Linux, BSD, Mac OS X, and Solaris platforms. The Phoronix Test Suite is developed in conjunction with leading computer hardware vendors and is used by many public organizations, educational institutions, independent software vendors, independent hardware vendors, and Fortune 500 companies.

Michael is also a managing partner and the director of software development for Blue Heron Network LLC, a company which specializes in assistive technologies for the elderly and those with diminished cognitive abilities. Blue Heron Network's premiere product group is Reside@HOME. Reside@HOME is a Linux-based touchscreen-enabled communication device that allows families to stay in contact with their aging loved ones and to assist them in staying independent for as long as possible. Originally developed for Blue Heron Network, he is the creator of Adaptive Color-Captioning Technology. AC-CT is a method for artificially determining the most appropriate colors to use when providing a text-caption overlay on visual media (such as photographs). This technology is also able to optimize text captions for those with Macular Degeneration and other eye impairments.

Additionally, Michael has also contributed to, been featured in, and quoted by several technology publications and media outlets. Among the many publications are Linux+DVD magazine, Fedora Weekly News, CNET Networks, TechTarget, Chip Design Magazine, InformationWeek, and Engadget. His work is often cited in press releases, annual reports, corporate web-sites, and other material. Michael has authored more than 250 featured articles on the state of Linux graphics drivers and more than 1,000 on various aspects of the Linux hardware ecosystem.

In the past, Michael has developed software for numerous companies, primarily dealing with content management systems, Linux administration, VoIP applications, and data management. Through all of his work, he is a Linux and free software advocate with strong support for GNOME, PHP, X.Org, Fedora, OpenSolaris, and Ubuntu. Michael Larabel resides in the United States and enjoys international traveling, kayaking, and golfing.

Michael Larabel can be contacted at michael [at] michaellarabel.com. Professional inquiries can also be addressed through Phoronix Media.

Recent Interviews