During the course of my life and work, I often come across really useful information, books, resources, websites, people, software etc. etc. and, I thought it might be a nice idea to include these below with the hope that they may also be useful to you.

Useful information

Last Updated: 24th May ‘08

Software

Films/DVD’s

Books

• Just read,“Rules for Renegades”  by Christine Comaford-Lynch. This woman is a legend and just rocks! She just tells it like it was/is, warts and all. A fantastic read! I read it straight through in one sitting. Anyone setting up or running any kind of business at all should be made to read this. It’s the law!
   
• Also, just read again, for the 100th time, “The soul of a new machine” by Tracy kidder. One of my favourite books of all time, and always inspires me when I’m not feeling at all creative. Just can’t recommend this book enough even to those who are not interested in computers. Pulitzer Prize winner from 1981 when serious computers were BIG!
   
• Also, “The Google story” by David Vise. A good and compelling read, and it doesn’t pull any punches. The book has been criticised as being too pro-Google... a little unfair I think. Don’t ask David to give any speeches though...  I was there at the big one, David... Good grief man, I almost stayed awake!
   
• Also, finished , “The Lost Worlds of 2001” (1972) by the late, great, Arthur C. Clarke. I was fortunate enough to have read this book as a young lad even before reading, “2001: A space odyssey” (1968). It was just after I had seen the film at the cinema, and it was one of the most awe-inspiring moments of my life. I remember my reaction to this day. I was in a kind of stupor for the next few days, as were many of the other kids at school. Reading this book, really helped me understand some of the background and meanings to the actual film, and the subsequent book. Of course, there is not much that can be said about 2001 that hasn't been said already. With the passing of Arthur C. Clarke, I took it off my bookshelf once again. It is written in such a way as to make one feel that Clarke is actually having a dialogue with you. I urge anyone who is interested in 2001 to read this book.
  
  In late 1995, I had the privilege to meet Stanley Kubrick, and we shook hands. A very important moment in my life.

• Last night, watched, “The Party“ - 1968 with Peter Sellers, director: Blake Edwards. I actually fell off the sofa I was laughing so much! It bought on my asthma, so I had to go do something else to calm down before watching the remainder of the film... Next day my cheek muscles and sides hurt with all my laughter... Why have I never seen this film before?
   
• UFO is an ever-constant friend, and at least one of the DVD’s sits in one of the DVD trays just in case I need to watch an episode. I’ve been a life-long fan of this Gerry Anderson TV Series... or as long as I can remember...
   
• Having read the partner-book (2001), I just had top watch the film again. They’ve really done a masterful restoration job on this film. Seeing it on a wide-screen LCD with surround sound is a fantastic experience, but nothing comes close to the feelings and sensations I had when I was a small boy seeing this for the first time. I felt literally ‘glued’ to my seat. The hairs on the back of my neck still stand on end when I remember it!

• Started trying out Joomla. Really nice application set ...and it’s free! I normally use Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 (I still can’t get used to saying Adobe DW, I’ve been using Macromedia Dreamweaver just forever...), but with commencement on the new site, I have taken the time to look around and see what else is out there. I came to the conclusion I was spending just too much time coding my website, when I shouldn’t have to. So, I have used a composite approach.