About Me

I am a web developer working in a small agency in the UK, and in my spare time I like to learn things about technology. Usually this involves improving the configuration of my linux machines, thinking up new ideas for software, finding novel uses for networkable hardware and designing circuits that I one day hope to produce. I’m not anti-microsoft (any more), nor am I pro-Windows - I prefer to take a balanced view of things based upon the capabilities and usability of systems. Windows runs on my primary machine at the moment, with it’s strongest point being game support. Linux runs on my servers and of course a few embedded devices, where the emphasis is on flexibility and variety of features.

I have a few projects underway at the moment, all interlinked. They focus around implementing a very much DIY home automation/entertainment system, with parts such as amplifiers and cables bought as stand-alone components which will then be tied together through my implementations of hardware and software. Projects at the moment include:

• Free-standing, reasonably good looking 19″ rack cabinet
• 24 RJ45 ports around the house connected by Cat5
• A MythTV-based PVR system, possibly with freesat support
• An audio multiplexer with multiple sources and multiple output zones, with the intention of creating a whole house audio system without resorting to expensive retail solutions
• Security through IP cameras and possibly a network-monitored alarm system

I have a few software projects underway, but they are a bit more secret.

My music tastes are fairly broad, although I wouldn’t say that they encompass everything. So that I don’t have to explain what this means, you might as well just go look at my music collection (courtesy of Media Man and a cheap USB barcode scanner off of eBay).