The first post

The first post. Every blog has one, but I guess most are years old now. I never really bothered about blogs in the past - read a few when I had time, but that's not very often. Running my own business and helping my wife with our 4 kids and 2 cats kind of takes any spare time I have.

But then I thought, why the hell not? It might never be read, but you never know. I'm sure it's theraputic.

A bit about me. I've been into computers since the ZX80, followed by ZX81, Spectrum (only rubber keys count!), QL, Apple II (with a Microsoft 80 column card, no less!), PC XT (10Mb hard drive - cool) and then various generations of PC ever since - but I still have a soft spot for the retro machines. In between, there were various other bits of computer machinery: BBC Micros, Honeywell mainframes, DG MV15000 mini computer, VAXStations and many other bits and pieces.

This love of retro leads me nicely into MAME, which I love on my Xbox classic. A huge two player joystick adds the authentic touch. This summer I plan to build a MAME cabinet to run these games the way they are supposed to be run. Faves of the moment: Puzzle Bobble 2 and Wonderboy. These go down well wih the kids as well - got to be better for them than GRAW on the 360!

My musical taste is also somewhat 80s (I have been refferred to as Sad 80s Bloke on more than one occasion, but Am I Bothered...? naa.). Frankie Goes to Hollywood are obviously the best band ever, so I collect their stuff with a passion (although not as passionately as some....!).

Of course, it's not just the old stuff. Current bands I like are Eels and The Streets. Bit of a mixture I guess, but it keeps me happy.

Other things I like and will go on about here at various times: cars, lego, magazines, tv, geek stuff, gadgets and technology, web development and probably other stuff that either gets me going (in a good way) or does my head in (in a bad way).