'Techie' as defined by Wikipedia, is 'a term, derivative of the word technology, for a person who displays a great, sometimes even obsessive, interest in technology, as well as high-tech devices, particularly computers'. Trevor is a rare breed to whom nothing presents a problem. Working within the IT engineering department, Trevor excels in resolving issues that would flummox a less committed support engineer. When asked about the photo in the middle, Trevor replied "It was my wedding, a happy day apparently. Shame the picture doesn’t show my Wallace & Gromit cufflinks I insisted on wearing. Some joker also tippexed HELP! on the soles of my shoes." I trust you'll get an impression of Trevor from that statement alone, but if you haven't read on.

“Thanks for agreeing to do this Trevor, could you start by explaining your role within PSU?”

Like all the engineers I have to turn my hand to anything that crops up but I tend to specialise in support for messaging, networks and Citrix.

No one day is the same as the last!

“What areas of your work do you find the most challenging?”

See above!

“What jobs have you done before joining PSU?”

All with computers since 1982, I started on mainframes as an operator, then mini computers at Express Dairies, I even worked for a time on the first CRAY 1, which was then the most powerful computer in the UK at Lockheed, It even came with leather seats and sat in reception. I installed and supported IBM PCs when they were first launched, spent hours plugging additional memory chips in to take them from 512K to a hugely powerful 640K (my watch has more power), a bit of programming (which I hated), then implementation projects and support in all its shapes and forms.

“What sort of holidays do you enjoy most, culture vulture or worshipping at the sun altar?”

Watching expensive cars go round and round and round and round very noisily

“Where have you been in the world and where would you go back to?”

Pretty much anywhere in Europe (that has an F1 circuit anyway) The furthest I’ve been is South Africa (quite an achievement for someone who is terrified of flying), unfortunately it was for work so all I saw was the airport, an office and a hotel room for a week.

“Where would you like to travel to in the future?”

The Galapagos islands

“What do you like to get up to in your spare time?”

Watching loud cars! I also cook

“Sports you’ve participated in?”

When I was young and fit I ran the 1500m and cross country and swam for Middlesex (seriously!) I also canoed a fair bit

No iPod, horrid trendy things, Lots of 70s and 80s loud stuff, lots of comedy.

“What cars have you owned during your life, and which was the favourite?”

My first was an Austin 1800, a hand-me-down from my Dad who pretended to be his brother and bought it with a staff discount from Longbridge (naughty Dad!) since then I’ve gone through every ‘British’ car I can think of but my favourite was a Rover 220 Tomcat (it’s a classic honestly) which I (to my never-ending shame) ran into the ground by commuting from Cheltenham to Poole and back every day for 6 months

“If money was no object, which car/s would you choose to own?”

I’d buy a McLaren F1........   an Austin Healey........   the Bentley that Steed drove in The Avengers.............   a TVR Cerbera Speed 12....and.....and......and...... You did say money was no object? (I’m told by my wife that I’d also get another McLaren for her)

“What are your life goals? Where do you see yourself in 20 years time?”

I don’t know what I’m going to do tomorrow (but I will be sat on the sofa this Sunday for the first round of the 2008 F1 season), can we skip this question?

“If you had to choose a three course meal with wine, what would it be and where would you have it?”

Somewhere around Lake Garda in Italy, Big Mac and large fries (no not really) , ..... maybe a nice piece of ultra-fresh trout with a cold glass of Chianti

1. “Favourite film” - Local Hero
   
   
2. “Favourite actress” - Helen Mirren
   
   
3. “Favourite television program” - Qi, Room 101 or Have I Got News for You (though I’ll watch anything with Stephen Fry in it)
   
   
4. “Favourite televised sport” - F1 (but only when it was on BBC)
   
   
5. “Favourite author” - Bernard Cornwell
   
   
6. “Favourite holiday destination” - Italy
   
   
7. “Favourite night out” - The Comedy Store in Camden
   
   
8. “Favourite music” - I’m old, very, very, very old! Just so old, ROCK!!!!!
   
   
9. “Favourite band” - Rush, Jethro Tull (that's the band, not the inventor of the seed drill) or Sum 41. If pushed to be trendy, the Kaiser Chiefs.
   
   
10. “Favourite inspiring quote” - George Bernard Shaw: "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

Favorite viral e mail:

'Jebs Jobs' by Weakend Productions This short video should appeal to anyone who has worked in a tier one technical support role. Luckily, our customers usually call us with questions at least worthy of a tier two classification. Watch the video below: Send a link to this movie to a friend

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