Hi, my name is John Blackburne. I was born and educated in England, going to school in North-West England before obtaining an MA in Mathematics in 1987 and a PCGE (Post-Graduate Certificate of Education) in 1990 from Churchill College, Cambridge. While in England I worked as a computer programmer, Sainsburys' shelf stocker, postman, kitchen porter [dish washer] at the best Hotel in Cambridge and envelope stuffer for British Telecom.
I first came to Hong Kong for six months in 1989, returning after completing my PGCE in 1990. Until 1995 I worked at a small teaching company, initially as a teacher/tutor before becoming manager from 1991 until I left. During this time I also discovered Mac communications, leading me to set up a Mac based BBS and contribute a regular column to MacChooser.
In 1992 I joined the Hong Kong Macintosh Users Group, or HKMUG. Since joining I've been involved in the HKMUG in many ways, giving demonstations to meetings, contributing articles for the newsletter, spending two years on the committee and and even travelling to the US on the group's behalf.
Although I started programming in school, and my first job was programming (for ICI in 1984), I lost interest in computers while at university, being more interesed in mathematics and mathematics teaching. I rediscovered my interest while in Hong Kong, starting with HyperCard, AppleScript and Excel macro programming before moving on to C in 1992.
My interest in computer programming and communications really took off when the Internet and the Web arrived in Hong Kong. I obtained my account with HK Supernet at the end of 1993, and soon had set up my first Web pages. In 1994 I helped a number of other people onto the Web, cumulating in my first professional Web work on Asia, Inc. Online.
I worked for Asia, Inc. Onine on a part time basis until June 1995, when I left Cambridge Tutors to do programming and Web related work on a freelance basis, which I've been doing ever since for Asia, Inc. Online and others At the same time I have continued working on my own projects, publishing Mac and Web software, most recenty a set of startup screens for the Mac.
© John Blackburne, johnb@hk.super.net, 14th September 1996
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