Hi, my name is Paul and I'm addicted to old computers and consoles.
My first computer was a ZX81, which I got back in the days when they were the new best thing. I still have it, and either that one, or my TI-99/4A, is the oldest computer I currently own (they both came out in the same year - I think).
The first full time job I ever had was writing games programs for the C64 and running a computer shop (the boss figured that since we only got a handful of customers a day I could write software in the long hours between customers, then he could sell it, make a fortune, and get away with only paying his programmer a shop assistant's wage).
My first programs ran as follows (syntax is wrong, I forget the correct commands):
10 get a,b
20 poke a,b
30 data: (there then followed up to 48K of addresses/code pairs!)
You can guess what a ******* that was to debug (or write, come to that).
In the mid 80s I briefly ran my own business selling remaindered games software to shops as budget (£1.99) games.
After that I ran a video shop and sold software as a sideline.
When the shop closed due to lease problems I left computers for a while, then near the end of the 20th century I started creating commercial websites. That is the job I still do (along with a few other things).
I collect old computers and consoles. I have a large U shaped desk in my office that would be about 18 foot long if it was in a straight line. About 6 foot of the desk is taken up with modern PCs that I use for business. On the rest of the desk I have laid out as much of my collection of old computers and consoles as I can fit. They are 3 or 4 deep (depending on the size) which I guess means a total of over 40 foot of computers/consoles if laid end to end (about 50 foot if you include my PCs), and that ain't my entire collection! The rest are in racking on the walls (along with bits of computers, spare HDs, memory, motherboards, CPUs, fans, PSUs etc). I also have about 2000 floppy disks of software I have collected (mostly Amiga, some ST, some PC and some God knows what), a few hundred CD ROMs, a handful of DVD ROMs, a lot of (no idea how many) cassette tape software, and a pile of games cartridges for various machines.
And it ain't enough. I'm still buying more, so some of you will end up pocketing my hard earned cash at some point!
On the non-computer side I am seriously obsessed with Dr Who and have a large collection of the toys and a small collection of memorabilia. I also collect old film (Super 8 and Standard 8 cine film) and am currently converting my bedroom into a cinema.
As you can guess from the fact that I was a computer programmer, am now a web designer, and I have a large collection of Dr Who and other Sci -Fi toys: I am single!
A couple of years back I did what I consider was "made a sensible decision to re-train in a new area so as to improve my life work wise" but what other people may describe of "having a mid-life crisis". As a result of this I am now a qualified and certified film maker with pretty certificates stating that I have the skills necessary to produce and/or direct films! I am currently at the stage which (according to my film school) I should describe as "Having several projects in various stages of development", but more honestly should probably be described as "Having several scripts and treatments, and am desperately looking for people gullible enough to invest in the films". So if any of you loose an elderly but rich relative, expect me to turn up on your doorstep and try to talk you into investing your inheritance in one of my film projects!
But that is enough about me, now tell me about you.
My first computer was a ZX81, which I got back in the days when they were the new best thing. I still have it, and either that one, or my TI-99/4A, is the oldest computer I currently own (they both came out in the same year - I think).
The first full time job I ever had was writing games programs for the C64 and running a computer shop (the boss figured that since we only got a handful of customers a day I could write software in the long hours between customers, then he could sell it, make a fortune, and get away with only paying his programmer a shop assistant's wage).
My first programs ran as follows (syntax is wrong, I forget the correct commands):
10 get a,b
20 poke a,b
30 data: (there then followed up to 48K of addresses/code pairs!)
You can guess what a ******* that was to debug (or write, come to that).
In the mid 80s I briefly ran my own business selling remaindered games software to shops as budget (£1.99) games.
After that I ran a video shop and sold software as a sideline.
When the shop closed due to lease problems I left computers for a while, then near the end of the 20th century I started creating commercial websites. That is the job I still do (along with a few other things).
I collect old computers and consoles. I have a large U shaped desk in my office that would be about 18 foot long if it was in a straight line. About 6 foot of the desk is taken up with modern PCs that I use for business. On the rest of the desk I have laid out as much of my collection of old computers and consoles as I can fit. They are 3 or 4 deep (depending on the size) which I guess means a total of over 40 foot of computers/consoles if laid end to end (about 50 foot if you include my PCs), and that ain't my entire collection! The rest are in racking on the walls (along with bits of computers, spare HDs, memory, motherboards, CPUs, fans, PSUs etc). I also have about 2000 floppy disks of software I have collected (mostly Amiga, some ST, some PC and some God knows what), a few hundred CD ROMs, a handful of DVD ROMs, a lot of (no idea how many) cassette tape software, and a pile of games cartridges for various machines.
And it ain't enough. I'm still buying more, so some of you will end up pocketing my hard earned cash at some point!
On the non-computer side I am seriously obsessed with Dr Who and have a large collection of the toys and a small collection of memorabilia. I also collect old film (Super 8 and Standard 8 cine film) and am currently converting my bedroom into a cinema.
As you can guess from the fact that I was a computer programmer, am now a web designer, and I have a large collection of Dr Who and other Sci -Fi toys: I am single!
A couple of years back I did what I consider was "made a sensible decision to re-train in a new area so as to improve my life work wise" but what other people may describe of "having a mid-life crisis". As a result of this I am now a qualified and certified film maker with pretty certificates stating that I have the skills necessary to produce and/or direct films! I am currently at the stage which (according to my film school) I should describe as "Having several projects in various stages of development", but more honestly should probably be described as "Having several scripts and treatments, and am desperately looking for people gullible enough to invest in the films". So if any of you loose an elderly but rich relative, expect me to turn up on your doorstep and try to talk you into investing your inheritance in one of my film projects!
But that is enough about me, now tell me about you.
