Moorhouse Web

John's Page

This is going to be the normal, who am I, etc page.

Although I know that most people won't want admit to reading these sorts of pages, most of us do so, I'll put it up anyway.

I currently work for the University of the West of England in the Information Technology Department as a Strategic Project Analyst. This is a highfaluted title for someone who researches and pilots projects looking at new technology within the University.

I got here by a roundabout route, I trained as a teacher and nurse specialising in adults and children with learning disabilities. I gradually used more and more IT based equipment within my teaching and caring roles, and when I decided to change the direction of my career IT seemed an obvious choose. I spent 18 months working in manufacturing industry prior to moving to UWE.

Me and Computers

Working in the education field particularly with special needs children obviously brought me into contact with Acorn computers early on, I've owned:

BBC B 32kb etc
BBC Master 128
A3000 (upgraded to include a 20 MB hard disc)
A440 (upgraded to Arm3
A5000 (upgraded to 8Mb + FPA)
RISCPC 600, Upgraded to Strong Arm etc.

Since moving to industry and UWE I've had to move into the 'real' world and I now use NT machines.

I don't use my computers for games playing, really !! (I havn't the patience for most of them) Most of my use is more 'serious'. I've been involved with voluntary work for many years and have used the machines for Desktop Publishing - Newsletters, posters, certificates etc.. Databases, spreadsheets etc.

Although I did some programming on the BBC's, all I've done on the RISCOS machines are a couple of small utilities for my own use.

Voluntary Work

I have worked in a number of voluntary capacity for a number of years but my main ones have been:-

Scouting, as a leader both at pack / troop level and as a district leader.
Red Cross, where I have been both a leader of a local group, involved in training for Red Cross members and the public and I trained to ambulance technician level to staff the Red Cross ambulances.

Since the arrival of Jack, our son in October 1999 we have dropped out of voluntary work although I still drive for YCT when the co-ordinator (my wife) can't find anyone else. I'm sure I'll get ichy feet soon and be back into something soon.