‘I guess the story that’s followed me around…I was down to speak at a database conference, and the organisers had promised me a plenary session, which was good because I had a message that I didn’t think people would turn up for unless there weren’t any other options. But then they put me on against a bunch of technical sessions and I thought I’d be speaking to an empty room. So I hired this duck costume and hung around in the coffee area before the sessions started. And of course everyone came to my session to see what it was about.’