Travelling in a new country comes with plenty of small challenges, and one of them is quickly converting prices into a familiar currency. When I arrived in South Africa, I found myself regularly estimating ZAR to GBP conversions. The exchange rate hovered around 1 ZAR ≈ £0.04, which meant dividing by 25 to get a rough estimate. Dividing by 25 isn't difficult, but it's not the most intuitive calculation to do on the fly—especially when paying a bill or making a quick decision. So, I started using a simple Vedic maths trick that makes it much easier.

After twenty years in IT and several years focused on media storage solutions, I've watched the entertainment industry undergo significant changes. The current economic landscape presents a fascinating paradox. What some see as a downturn, I view as a necessary transformation.

When the FBI released its final case files on Kevin Mitnick, it reignited memories of my early fascination with security, phreaking, and the evolution of telecommunications. Growing up in a household where CB radios, punch-down tools, and telecom equipment were common, I developed a curiosity for how systems worked and where their vulnerabilities lay. But always with a strong ethical foundation. Reading Mitnick’s FBI files today, I see how the social engineering tactics of the past have evolved into modern security threats like phishing and credential harvesting. Now, working in enterprise IT and media storage security, I apply the same systematic thinking that once fueled my interest in telecom exploits—except now, I build resilient systems instead of testing their limits.

I've always been fascinated by how systems shape our experience. But it was during a year in France that I discovered the most fundamental system of all; language itself. I explore how different languages help us communicate and fundamentally alter how we perceive and interact with the world. Understanding this can enhance everything from technical innovation to cultural connection. Did I discover why the architecture of language might be the most powerful system we've ever built?

From UV-erased EEPROMs to cloud-integrated petabyte systems, a nostalgic story of evolution, solder fumes, and the enduring elegance of fundamentals. As my career progresses, I realise it’s a time machine through the history of computing, a little nod to those I've met in recent weeks which have an equally interesting ICT history.

Storage doesn't have to be complex to be enterprise-grade. In this article, I explore how object storage is transforming media workflows by combining bulletproof reliability with intuitive simplicity. Learn how modern storage architecture is helping creative teams focus on content creation rather than infrastructure management.

A personal reflection on war journalism, family ties, and how modern technology continues the legacy of battlefield truth-seekers. From watching the news with my mother during the Gulf War to developing storage solutions for today's journalists.

Growing up in Wales, rugby shapes us whether we embrace it or not. From being one of the smallest players on St John's School's sloped pitch in Porthcawl to architecting storage solutions for the WRU, life takes unexpected turns. As we prepare to celebrate Jonathan Davies' retirement, I reflect on how my own reluctant rugby journey has surprisingly informed my approach to technical architecture and client relationships.

Join me next week as I share insights on revolutionising media workflows alongside industry experts from Perifery USA and CineSys. Drawing from my experience in both technical implementation and solution architecture, I'll explore how intelligent storage solutions are reshaping content creation and delivery. Featuring live demonstrations and practical use cases, this session offers valuable insights for media professionals seeking to enhance their operational efficiency.