Back in the early 1980's, I remember my 'O'-level computer project was a Physics simulation; first I wrote it for the actual project on a ZX Spectrum, then re-wrote it afterwards for my Sinclair QL - why I did this, I don't know. Probably intellectual challenge or something. I also learned some bizarre semi-assembly language called CESIL, the programs for which, used to be sent off to be batch processed, and a week later you'd get your line printer output - if it worked.

I didn't get to use Apple Macs or IBM PCs until about 1986, but from then on, I was lost to the world. My experience of UNIX started a year later, and at that point my hair started to grow, and a beard started to form. These have now disappeared as I have been assimilated into the corporate world, but they may re-establish themselves at any time !

I still find it hard to fathom that although I was introduced to email in 1988, I was initially, not that bothered by it until about 1992, back then, I just used to send occasional emails - mainly because the complexities of using JANET made it too time consuming when I had other interests to divert my attention. Back in the early days of the web (1993), I used to sit at my screen and marvel at the wonder that was Mosaic. Netscape was still to be unleashed on the world, and there I was writing simple text based web pages (No real change then, eh ?). Then, from out of nowhere, Netscape arrived and my life was changed.