From Office Desks to Bar Stools: How Computing Changed How We Work

Sitting here in this lively bar, I’ve got my laptop in front of me, a beer to my right, and a cosy buzz of conversation and music in the air. It’s one of my favourite ways to spend an afternoon—writing, reflecting, and soaking up the human energy around me. There’s something wonderful about being surrounded by people, watching the neon lights glow and dance off the bar's bottles, all while tapping away on my keyboard.

The way we use computers has changed dramatically—from fixed office setups to fully mobile, connected devices that allow us to work from anywhere.

How Computing Used to Work

It’s hard not to step back and appreciate how far we’ve come. When I started working with computers, they were anchored to office desks—big, boxy towers paired with CRT monitors, a wired keyboard, and a clunky mouse. There was no internet, no sense of mobility. That machine, likely a 286, was plugged firmly into a 13-amp socket, designed solely for crunching numbers on spreadsheets or typing up documents.

Working Anywhere: The Modern Reality

Now, here I am. My keyboard and screen are combined into one sleek device that runs on battery power for hours. I’m connected to the world through a hotspot on my phone, and I can work from literally anywhere—be it an office, a coffee shop, or, in this case, a festive bar on a Friday afternoon.

Technology and Human Connection

As Christmas draws near, the bar is filling up. People are getting ready for their holiday nights out, their laughter and excitement building as the evening progresses. Every person here is carrying a tiny, powerful computer in their pocket—a smartphone with a camera that captures the memories of the night in vivid, sharable detail. In real-time, these moments are sent off into the ether, to social media platforms or private group chats. A snippet of their night, immortalized in a digital file.

It’s astonishing to think about. Not long ago, documenting a night like this might have required a bulky camcorder or a dedicated camera. Now, it’s as simple as a tap on a screen. And for many, this seamless recording and sharing of life feels utterly normal—so normal that it barely registers as remarkable.

But I can’t help pausing to appreciate the bigger picture. I think about the transformation of human connection—how far we’ve come from those static office computers. The tools we use to connect and communicate have evolved beyond what we could have imagined. Even if you’re not out tonight, you’re likely at home streaming music or watching a movie on your smart TV—another testament to how deeply digital technology has woven itself into our lives.

And here I am, sitting in a bar, enjoying this moment of quiet reflection amidst the buzz, writing about it all. This, too, will become a digital artefact—a blog post shared with the world, contributing to the endless stream of content that connects us.

So as the night unfolds and this place gets busier, I’ll raise my glass to how far we’ve come and to the exciting ways we continue to connect and share our stories.

Cheers to technology, humanity, and the holiday season ahead.

If work is starting to feel overwhelming or harder to switch off from, you’re not alone.

I spend a lot of time helping simplify systems and reduce unnecessary complexity.

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Vic20 Mischief: How a Teenage Prank Sparked My Interest in Programming

Hey there, fellow tech enthusiasts! Today, I want to take you on a nostalgic journey back to the 1980s when I was just a mischievous teenage boy armed with a Commodore Vic20 and an insatiable curiosity for all things tech. Back in those days, personal computers were still relatively new and exciting, and I couldn't resist the temptation to have a bit of fun with them.

Early experiences with computers like the Commodore Vic20 often sparked curiosity and creativity, leading many people into careers in software development.

Discovering the Vic20

Picture this: It was the '80s, and Commodore Vic20 computers were all the rage. You could find them in electronics stores like Dixons and even at unexpected places like Boots the Chemist. These computers were encased in metal display boxes, making them the perfect playground for a mischievous teen like me.

The Perfect Prank

The setup was simple but effective. I had committed a tiny BASIC program to memory – a program that would wreak havoc in the most harmless way possible. It was just about ten lines long, but it was enough to turn an innocent Vic20 into an instrument of chaos.

Here's how it worked:

1. I'd saunter into one of these stores and nonchalantly approach the Vic20 on display.
2. With the confidence of a tech-savvy teen, I'd quickly type in my carefully memorized program.
3. The program was designed to start a timer for about 60 seconds, and then crank up the volume to full blast.
4. After the countdown, the Vic20 would emit an annoying, high-pitched sound that could wake the dead.
5. The final twist: I programmed it to lock the keyboard. No matter what the frantic store staff pressed, they couldn't silence the alarm.
6. The only way out for them was to find the key, unlock the enclosure, and either remove the power supply or cycle the power to stop the commotion.

As soon as I hit the "RUN" command, I'd make a hasty exit, knowing that the Vic20 would play the siren-like alarm, causing chaos and confusion behind me.

Looking back, it's clear that my friends and I were quite the teenage troublemakers, finding endless entertainment in this tech prank. The alarm wasn't some sophisticated sound system; it was just a tiny speaker playing a simple, high-pitched note. But to our teenage ears, it was the epitome of hilarity.

Where It All Started

Little did I know at the time that these early experiments in programming and mischief would eventually lead me to a career as a software engineer. Those innocent days of Vic20 pranks were just the beginning of my journey into the fascinating world of technology.

In today's world of high-tech gadgets and complex software, it's easy to forget the simplicity and charm of those early computers. But it's important to remember that every tech enthusiast has a starting point, and for me, it was the mischievous adventures with a Commodore Vic20 that ignited my passion for all things tech.

Looking back, it wasn’t really about the prank. It was about understanding how systems worked, how small pieces of code could control behaviour, and how technology could be both powerful and unpredictable.

That curiosity is still the same today—it just shows up in very different ways.

So, there you have it – a trip down memory lane to my teenage days of Vic20 shenanigans. As a software engineer now, I can't help but smile at the thought of how far I've come from those innocent pranks. But hey, we all have our beginnings, and mine just happened to involve a mischievous little computer and a whole lot of curiosity.

We all start somewhere, and those early experiences often shape how we approach technology later on.

I spend a lot of time helping simplify systems and make them behave in predictable, reliable ways.

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Back in 2017, I Thought Petrol Cars Might Disappear by 2025

So I'm on a train on my way down to Cumbernauld for the weekend. I have Jamie (age 9) with me, and he is delighted to be on a train. It's diesel-electric. Onboarding, I pointed out the massive turbo on the side of the train just below the level of the platform. (I'm an engineer, I notice these things...)

The Diesel engine powers a generator to make electric energy to turn a massive induction motor that makes it move, I tell Jamie.

It's quiet, but you can just hear the engine's dull drone as we fly through the countryside. I'm guessing being diesel-electric, it is more efficient than pure diesel and also cleaner.

Travelling Through a Changing World

I was also on a bus this morning on the way to work. It was one of Aberdeen's new hydrogen-powered fleet. Diesel buses have been abandoned in favour of turning hydrogen into electricity, which again powers a motor to make the bus move. This bus is almost silent apart from some transmission noise on the move. When stopped, there is no noise at all. Great for commuters like me tapping on my iPhone and writing my blog.

Looking back now, this post captures how quickly the shift towards electric vehicles felt like it was happening in 2017.

Some of these predictions clearly didn’t happen as fast as expected, but the transition away from traditional engines still felt inevitable at the time.

Why I Still Loved Petrol Engines

I like both these forms of transport in terms of where we are with the tech. I am, however, a massive car fan… a petrolhead at heart, and I feel a sense of gloom coming.

I like my petrol and Diesel engines. I have a few cars. All of them are older. A big 4x4 with a Diesel engine in it. I love the torque and the feeling of going anywhere it gives, and it's 500 miles or so range. I have a Lotus Seven kit car with a revvy 16v Toyota engine that makes it fly. I also have an Abarth 500, which has a little 1.4-litre turbocharged engine. It's got twin intercoolers and one of my favourite exhaust notes of any car I have owned.

I have promised the Abarth to Jamie when he is old enough to drive.

Jamie is 9, and he will not be able to drive till he is 17. That's in 8 years' time. With care and regular servicing, little Abarth should still be in good health when he is ready. It's quite easy. I have had many cars that were over 10 years old and had higher miles on them. The Abarth is a modern car, and the build quality and corrosion protection are really good.

The big problem, as I see it, is whether petrol and diesel cars will still be on the road in 2025. In only eight years' time.

The Fear That Petrol Cars Might Vanish

I read an article while having my lunch today, which was a report by Stanford University that is predicting that fossil fuel cars will vanish in less than EIGHT years time! The report suggests that as electric cars become cheaper, 'Big Oil' and the petroleum industry will collapse. People will have no choice but to invest in electric cars. Electric cars will become cheaper, more reliable and travel further.

It painted a picture of petrol and diesel cars being abandoned. No longer being economical to run. Petrol stations would close and become increasingly difficult to find. Spare parts would stop being made. Garages will no longer repair the current generation of cars. The falling oil price is predicted to fall further.

So it may be game over for the little Abarth and my 4x4. Eight years does not seem that far away. What's their fate in years to come, abandoned, in the 2025 fuel crisis?

Imagining an Electric Future

For my Lotus Seven kit car, I'm not so worried. I built it after all. As technology changed, I could even imagine replacing the petrol engine with a large electric motor and modern battery systems. Possibly both were donated by a crash-damaged modern electric car. The performance could be better than the current petrol engine.

My kit car has a simple 12-volt electric system with a separate wire harness for the engine. So, to remove the petrol engine and its ECU would be easy. It would leave big holes where the engine, gearbox and petrol tank lived. These can be replaced by the motor's ECU, batteries or fuel cell. Who knows, I may be able to put a motor per wheel and make it four-wheel drive. That would be fun.

All the other electric systems would remain unchanged. There are no antilock brakes or traction control. It's really only lights and a horn left when the engines are gone.

It should be lighter too, if I could get a range of 200 or so miles, that would be ideal. It doesn't go much further on a tank of petrol at the moment. It's not very comfortable for long distances, so the majority of driving I do is just a quick blast in evenings and weekends.

Would Classic Cars Survive?

So 2025, here's hoping Jamie gets some use out of the Abarth before we need to abandon it at the side of the road.

I also need to get my finger out as I have dreams and promises of building a hot rod project with the boys when they get older. Nothing fancy. Something rat-looking with old black faded paint, a small noisy engine, no mod cons, and flames up the side. Fingers crossed.

(edited, The Abarth may have some reprieve, found this great article on an electric rally car... Hmmm 460 bhp?)

Looking Back at Those Predictions

It’s interesting reading this back now that we’ve actually reached 2025.

Petrol and diesel cars clearly didn’t disappear overnight, but electric vehicles, hybrid systems, and alternative fuels have become far more normal than they felt in 2017.

What I still find fascinating is how quickly technology transitions can feel inevitable, even when reality turns out to be slower and messier.

Looking back, this post says as much about engineering optimism and uncertainty as it does about cars.

A lot of the same engineering mindset also appears in my reflections on building and maintaining my Tiger kit car projects.

The same fascination with understanding and rebuilding systems also connects closely to my post about why I like fixing things.

Looking back, a lot of this engineering curiosity probably started with things like LEGO Technic.