1. Tell us how you came across OZZU.
Like most people perhaps - I was having difficulty with something at work, Googled for it and got a hit from Ozzu. I had a look round, liked it and signed up. The rest, as they say, is history.
2. Where do you live?
I live with my girlfriend in Edinburgh, Scotland.
3. Are you a student or do you work for the big man? Tell us about it.
I was a student for 5 years, and considered applying to do a PhD, but decided to sell out and work for the man. I'm currently employed as a Software Development Engineer for a Stirling-based company that develop software for luxury hotels. We supply entertainment & communication packages that allow the hotel guests to use a number of facilities within their rooms and throughout the hotel.
4. Age?
I have lived for 8813 days.
5. Tell us about http://www.darren-king.co.uk/
Throughout my undergrad degree, I wasn't too interested in web development. Sure I knew the basics of HTML etc, but I was more interested in developing desktop applications. I had dabbled with web sites a little (some GeoCities sites etc), however I started to get more interested during my postgrad degree, as one of my courses focused on web systems. I decided to purchase some hosting and set up my own site as a learning exercise and basically just to get accustomed to web development.
It's progressed a lot since the first version, and I've still got a few more features to add (which are currently in development). There have been about three or four major revisions of the site (design-wise), however I'm quite pleased with the current design and have no plans to change it in the near future.
6. Have you travelled much? If so, tell us where and which one was your favorite.
I travelled a lot when I was younger. When I started uni, I worked during the summer & winter vacations, so I haven't travelled as much lately. I've been to the Canary Islands quite a lot (Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria), mainland Spain, Denmark, Ibiza and the USA twice. My favourite was probably the first time I visited the states, when we went to Orlando, Florida. Done all the typical touristy stuff - Disneyland, Seaworld, Universal Studios etc.
7. What are some of your favorite styles of music and/or bands?
I like a lot of different music, but my favourites are indie and (classic) rock. Some of my favourite bands/artists are Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Belle & Sebastian, Idlewild, Weezer, Jeff Buckley and numerous others.
8. Do you frequent other forums besides OZZU?
I do occasionaly, however Ozzu is the only one that I would say that I really participate in.
9. Who is your hero?
Probably my step-dad. He's always treated me as one of his own kids and encouraged me and supported me thoughout everything, and been more of a father to me than my biological dad could ever have been.
10. How was your Christmas?
Lol, very enjoyable. My family always have a big get together at Christmas. Lots of food and lots of drink. Highly enjoyable indeed - looking forward to New Year!
11. Do you have any siblings?
I have 2-step brothers and a step sister. I think I have a half brother, but I know nothing about him.
12. Tell us about your computer specs.
It's aging a little now, but it does everything I need. It's a 2.6GHz Pentium 4, 1GB RAM, 120GB Main HDD, 80GB secondary HDD and 250GB external HDD. Graphics card is the same card that came with the comp, as I don't use my computer for gaming or anything like that.
13. List 3 adjectives that best describe you.
Patient, inquisitive and open-minded.
14. What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Probably my undergraduate degree. I was never bothered about education until later on at school, and I had to really apply myself to get decent grades and get a place at uni. When I got a place, I kinda felt like a fraud for some reason, and didn't think I'd be able to last throughout the whole 4 years. Once I got into it though, I really enjoyed it and managed fine.
15. Describe your most perfect day.
It would involve a nice warm summer's day, no work, a chilled bottle of wine later on in the day, and the company of my girlfriend of course
16. Do you have a weblog?
Not at present, but that's one of the features that I'm hoping to incorporate into my website. As with a lot of other things, it's in development.
17. Finish this sentence, "My life's motto is...."
I don't really have a motto as such. I like to believe that there's nothing that can't be learnt through hard work, perserverance and determination (within reason of course), so my motto would probably be some paraphrase of that.
18. Are you religious?
Nope. Four years of studying philosophy has taught me to respect the opinions of others though, and I believe that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. If I were religious, I think I'd be a Buddhist though.
19. Do you have internet at home? If so, what is its current speed?
Of course! Well, I started off on 512Kbps, then my host kindly upgraded me to 1Mbps for free, then again to 4Mbps.
20. What was the most embarassing thing that you have done or has happened to you?
I'm not really sure. Just the usual teenage stuff. Nothing that sticks out in particular.
21. Any special talents?
I have memorized Pi to 100 decimal places. I also play the guitar (although, not that well).
22. I know you've been with the same girl for many yrs and you currently live together, but besides that, I don't know much about your love, tell us about her.
My girlfriend's name is Debbie, and we met at university. Her degree was Computing Science and Mathematics. She then went on to do a postgrad course in actuarial science and is currently working in a bank where she's doing even more qualifications!
23. Name your top 5 pet peeves.
1. Unconfident drivers
2. People who refuse to do any work themself before asking everyone else.
3. People who attempt to force their views upon others.
4. People who don't take responsibility for their actions.
5. Can't think of another one....
24. Not including "work," how long do you spend on the computer daily?
Lol, too many. Typically, I'll be on the computer for 8 hrs at work, I'll come home, have dinner and watch some TV. Then I'll normally sit on the computer for another couple of hours (or maybe four) lol.
25. Who is the next GTKY victim?
Daemonguy. He's eluded a GTKY thread for far too long.
26. Give us the story behind the "katana" since many probably don't even know what it is.
Lol, I chose katana as a nickname due to my interest in Japan and marial arts. Katana is the name of a Japanese sword, traditionally carried by the Samurai (along with the Wakizashi - a shorter sword of a similar shape). It is the type of sword most probably associated with being a "Samurai sword", however as noted above, the Samurai carried more than one sword.
27. If you were stuck on a remote island and got the chance to get 3 items delivered to you, what would they be? and why?
A guitar, preferably acoustic (I don't want to waste one of my items on an Amp - plus, where would I plug in an electric on a desert island), a copy of War & Peace, and perhaps a crate of Jack Daniels.
28. Is it snowing in Edinburgh right now like it is here?
At the moment, no. When you wrote the question, yes - it was snowing a little. Probably nothing compared to the snow in Aberdeen.
29. What are your plans for the new year?
For hogmany or for the new year in general. Hogmany - just another big family thing. For the next year, I don't know. Work probably, lol.
30. What is your new years resolution?
To become more organised and less lazy (I'm hoping the first will lead to the second).
31. Why have you managed to avoid the GTKY thread for so long?
Because I'm boring and there are far more interesting people out there.
32. Why is the said victim the next GTKY victim?
Because he's avoided one for soooo long, and has campaigned for others to be given a GTKY thread. He'd love to do one really, he's just putting up a front lol.
33. What is your favourite programming language?
Would have to be Java.
34. Window/Linux/Mac?
At the moment, it would still have to be Windows. I'm using Linux a lot more than I used to, but all of my docs are still on my Windows NTFS disk and I can't be bothered transferring them all over etc (See Q30).
35. Cats or Dogs?
Defo has to be dogs. I'm allergic to cats, and cats are evil.
36. Ever met anyone famous?
Prince Charles came to my school when I was young, does that count?
37. Ever woken up in someone elses bed and wondered how you got there?
Nope. I've woken up in my own bed and wondered how I got there, but that's a different story
38. Who is your favourite member on Ozzu?
I don't think I have a favourite as such. I get on well with a number of the regulars, probably SB and Rabid Dog more than most since they two are always on MSN lol.
39. Who is your least favourite member on Ozzu?
I don't dislike any of the regulars on the forum. I don't care much for spammers.
40. Who is your favourite moderator on Ozzu?
Shucks, I couldn't possibly choose. They're all brilliant!
41. If you could become admin on Ozzu for a day, what would you do?
I have no idea. Probably add a script that bans cutesie-wootsie cat avatars!
42. What do you think of German cars?
Nothing against them. I'd quite happily have a Beamer or a Merc. Any offers?
43. BMW/BWM?
BWM driving a BMW! lol
44. Scotland/Japan?
Never been to Japan (yet), so couldn't compare. I'd like to live in Japan for a while, or at the very least have a long vacation there.
45. USA/Canada?
Same thing - never been to Canada so I couldn't compare. I'd love to explore the north of Canada though - all the wilderness etc.
46. Tell us what you all think of flavah now she has put you in the spotlight?
Lol, how could anyone think badly of our flavah. The GTKY thing was gonna happen at some point, couldn't avoid it forever (as Daemonguy will shortly find out).
47. What is your middle name?
I'll never tell! It starts with an 'M' - that's all you're getting!
48. If the UK decided to join the Euro, what would your initial thoughts be?
I think it would be good for business.
49. Conservative government/ Labour Government?
Labour, most definitely.
50. Your girlfriends Golf/ Your Honda Civic?
Pfft! My Civic obviously.
51. Question 47/Question 35?
Neither.
52. How old were you when you could first tie your shoes?
I can't remember. I remember I made quite a lot of money though from demonstrating my new found skills to various family members.
53. Do you currently have any pets? If so what do you have?
I personally don't have any pets. My parents used to have a Carin terrier which was partly mine, however he died a few years back. They've got a Scottie now which is only a year old. I would love a Huskie or an Akita, but we just don't have the time to keep a dog at the moment.
Finished? Phew!