Electronics, robotics and engineering are my favourite hobbies. I also enjoy ‘technical creativity’, such as designing this website, and post-processing photos. I have recently purchased a midi keyboard with digital audio workstation software (Bitwig Studio) and want to play around with sounds and create a track or two. It doesn’t stop there – there are many things I want to learn, create, design, develop, build…
Electronics
This is my main interest. I have been learning electronics on and off since I was around 8 years old. I studied Electronic Engineering and worked in the field for 5 years before moving into IT, but it remains a serious hobby.
Photography
Capturing photos is something I enjoy doing when out or on holiday with my family. Post-processing photos and creating panoramas allows me to combine the technical skill of Photoshop and Hugin and other software with modest amount of creativity I have to create the final artwork.
3D Modelling
3D Modelling is something I got involved with when Google released Sketchup, and again later when RS released a cut-down version of Space Claim, branded DesignSpark Mechanical. I create 3D models for projects where I need to explore the structure and visualise the end product.
Software Development
For me this started when I taught myself assembly language for the Microchip PIC microcontroller in the 90s, then later attempted to enhance an Excel spreadsheet using VBA. From there I taught myself Visual Basic using Visual Studio 6.0. This ultimately lead to me completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science.
Website Design
I was always fascinated with web design, but never serious about it – it was a lot of work back then. Then along came WordPress and all of it’s plugins and things got easier. I maintain a website for fun, as a kind of scrapbook for showcasing my hobbies, and for sharing what I have done for anyone who might find it useful.
Engineering
This integrates various hobbies of mine – 3D modelling, electronics, software development, metalwork, woodwork, etc. to create something that utilises some or all of these skills.
Home Automation
Home automation is something I always wanted to do, as the idea of controlling and automating things in my home really appeals to me. If I can control the TV from the couch, why stop there!
Metalwork
I studied metalwork for five years during high school. I thoroughly enjoy crafting items from metal, which equips me with the necessary skills to create parts for my other hobbies. I now have an almost fully equipped workshop.
Other Interests
This section covers everything else I am or was interested in learning or doing, such as buying, servicing and selling vintage Singer sewing machines.
Collecting
I love collecting stuff, but sometimes I think I take this too far…. 😄
