Hi, I’m Simon, the weird, grumpy and sometimes informative voice behind Insert Disk 2.
I am always writing about something or other, and I figured it might be nice to put all my writing together in one place, hence the website.
I have been involved with computers for most of my life. Starting way back with the Amstrad CPC 464, I moved onto PCs and consoles later in life, but I have very fond memories of the Sugar Machine.
Over the years I’ve worked in technical support, project engineering, coding, training, management and probably several other jobs that didn’t have particularly sensible titles.
I’ve fixed computers, built computers, broken computers, and occasionally managed to fix the things I broke (always had spare screws left over!).
Why Computers?
I’ve always been fascinated by how technology works, particularly the older stuff.
Modern computers are astonishingly powerful, but there’s something wonderfully satisfying about machines where you can actually understand what is happening. Sometimes you can even see the bits moving.
There is also a second reason, I am deaf and have been for a very long time. Computers don't care if you can hear or not, they don't want a conversation with you for me they were a form of escape from a world of noise I didn't fit into. This is also the reason I don't generally review the audio in old games, I can't hear it!
The History
I’m particularly interested in the history of computing and the people who built the foundations of the technology we take for granted today.
From early mechanical computers to the machines sitting on our desks today, there’s usually a good story hiding somewhere.
That is one of the things I enjoy about writing for Insert Disk 2. Technology isn't just about the machines themselves. There are usually people, ideas, accidents, arguments and the occasional spectacularly bad decision behind them.
Old Computers & Games
I’m also rather fond of old computers and games, partly because they remind me of when technology felt a little more mysterious and partly because some of the games were absolutely terrible.
Old computers.
Old games.
Weird technology.
Questionable decisions.
So, have a look around.