Since I started posting content to PCMech back when the Earth was new, man was young and dirt was still warm, it’s been a common occurrence that people think I’m Dave – even though my name is stated next to every article I’ve ever written.

It’s true – Dave writes tons of stuff for PCMech but there are other authors on the site including yours truly.

Dave had mentioned he’d like an "About" page for the authors on the site so I figured I’d drum up a bloggo post stating everything you ever wanted to know about me, and some things you probably don’t.

So here goes. This is really long, so put the kettle on.

. . .

I was born in 1975 when bell bottoms and mood rings were all the rage. In fact, one of the family photos from the late 70s shows my father in a brown leisure suit and my mother wearing a pastel blue something-or-other with the bell bottoms. Oh yeah. Good times.

Computer Stuff

• First computer I ever used: TRS-80.
• First "Wintel" computer I ever used: Tandy PC model 8250, i486 25MHz, 4MB RAM, 1x CD-ROM drive (with manual tray, thank you very much), 130MB HDD, MS-DOS 6.0, Microsoft Windows 3.1.
• First Mac I ever used: Macintosh SE/30. In my high school this is what was mostly used in the art department aside from the super-expensive IIci.
• First online experience: BBSing. I ran a BBS at one point (see "The Frosted Side" at that link).
• First time I ever used Windows 95: The day it was introduced to market. I used the "upgrade" version.
• First time I got on the internet: Late 1995 with AOL (yes, I know.. sad but true). I used it twice, said "fug that" and in ‘96 when the local phone company SNET became an ISP I went with them instead.
• First professional I.T. job: 1996 as a "PC Tech". It included a mass upgrade of 300+ boxes from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95 and the then-new SAP client. The network was Novell NetWare using the IPX/SPX protocol, and darn it, it worked REALLY well.
• First time I registered a domain name: 1999.
• The most I ever paid for a computer: $2000 for a Compaq Deskpro 6000 with Windows NT 4.0. Waste of money. I hated that computer.
• First Linux I ever used: Red Hat 5 (Apollo, specifically). It was quite difficult to acquire because burning CDs was very expensive back then and everyone was still using dial-up.
• I started blogging routinely in 2004 and have been doing it ever since.
• I am steeped in knowledge about Windows, audio editing, video editing, web design and graphics editing. I know enough "to be dangerous" with PHP and MySQL. I have never claimed to know everything, but I do know a lot about a lot.

Video stuff

• I am a graduate of NEIT (1995) with a degree in Video and Radio Communications. Yes, I do know the theory behind video composition, how it works and so on.
• I was editing video way before digital editing was the norm. I primarily used a JVC A/B roll cuts-only setup with SuperVHS. I also used Betacam SP decks when I could (I never owned a set of decks because they were just too expensive).
• The first 3D render-for-television software I saw in action was LightWave for the Amiga back in college. They had a decent set of Amiga 4000 boxes for the task and they did quite well – but I admit that animation is not my strong suit.
• I have written scripts and screenplays. It’s fun even if a bit tedious at times. If you’re interested in script/screenplay writing I highly recommend using Final Draft. Absolutely fantastic software. And yes it is worth paying for. I did. Believe me when I say if you want to write scripts, you need this software.
• During the early 2000s I ran a company that did television commercial production and also sold cable television advertising time. If there’s anything you ever wanted to know about how cable advertising works. I could probably tell you.

Music stuff

My father being the wise man that he is bought a Casiotone music synthesizer when I was very young. I took to it immediately and have been playing the keys ever since.

My favorite synths were made by Ensoniq. I have an SQ-1+ that I drag out of the closet from time to time to play on. Unfortunately Ensoniq was acquired and shuffled into obscurity years ago.

Currently I play the Alesis Fusion 6HD. I am listed on Alesis’ audio demos page as a featured artist. My preferred style on the keys is classical and electronic.

I also play guitar and favor Fender Stratocasters. My preferred style is mostly blues. You can see me playing here.

Car stuff

My father bought a particular Buick in 1975 that took me 17 years to find but I finally did.

I have a web site called www.BuickFreeSpirit.com that I run and maintain solely dedicated to that particular car. The site has earned a reputation as being a good historical archive and I’m personally quite proud of that because history is cool.

I am so steeped in knowledge concerning the ‘75 Free Spirit Buick it’s just ridiculous.

Photo stuff

In ‘05 I picked up my first digital camera and started snappin’ away. Been doing it ever since. You can see a crapload of photos I’ve taken here.

To those who ask: How do I get the "wow" shots like this and this?

The answer is learning by doing. I use a very basic entry-level camera but what’s important is that I get out there. The more photos you take, the more you learn, the better you get.

GPS stuff

In ‘05 I also picked up my first mobile GPS unit, a Garmin StreetPilot i3. Ever since then I’ve been a full-on GPS freak. I currently have a c580 and a c340 as a backup unit.

I’ve spread the influence to the family. My father has a StreetPilot 2720 and my sister a nuvi 250.

Those of us in the Menga family are never lost.

Other stuff since you read this far

Wow, still here? Okay, here’s some more info on yours truly:

• In true computer geek fashion, I own all six Star Wars movies on DVD and the original theatrical "unfixed" versions, because darn it, Han shot first. And if you like the newer cut you’re nothing but a pile of Bantha poo-doo.
• Speaking of Banthas – I would, in all seriousness, visit the location where the original footage was shot by programming the coordinates into my GPS and going there, just because I could.
• I have seen every episode of Star Trek – The Next Generation at least four times. Possibly five.
• I am a collector of notable sci-fi movies such as TRON, The Last Starfighter, The Black Hole and so on. The next to be in my collection (when I get around to ordering it) is Logan’s Run.
• I have absolutely no interest in Smartphone technology whatsoever, save for it having GPS ability which is actually useful.
• I am a native New Englander with heavy Massachusetts influence.
• I’ve been living in Florida since 2006.
• My personal blog lists a lot more factoids about me. Just Google "frostedside" and you’ll find me.