Brett Burridge

I started life as a Biochemist, graduating from the University of London (Wye College) with a B.Sc. in Plant Biotechnology. I subsequently enrolled on a Ph.D. studentship at the University of Nottingham, and spent the next four years growing tomatoes, sequencing DNA, eating pizzas, and that sort of stuff. Modern biotechnology requires an extensive understanding of the use of computer networks to assist with data mining the ever increasing number of DNA sequence databases available, which is where I developed my IT skills. On completing my Ph.D., I did some freelance work for the innovative UK Company Virtual Environments International, and designed a web site for the Biological and Medical Virtual Communications Trust.

I am currently employed by the University of Essex, where my responsibilities include writing technical documentation and developing the University's web resources. This involves the use of Microsoft's Internet Information Server 3.0 / 4.0, SQL server, Access 97, FrontPage 98, Active Server Pages, Visual Basic 5, and the usual HTML/client-side scripting.

Having used the web since the dark days of Mosaic and Netscape version 1, I immediately grasped its potential as an advanced means of distributing information. I can remember the days before HTML editor programs, animated GIFs, Java, web browsers with "STOP" buttons, colored web page backgrounds, and even CENTERED text. I have been creating web pages for almost as long, so have gained a good understanding of what makes or breaks a web site (high on my hate list are slow Java Applets, long pages that are full of banner Ads and shoddy animated GIFs, things that say "looks best in this or that type of browser" and pages with pink backgrounds). I have used FrontPage intensively since September 1997, and have gained a good understanding of what the program will and won't let you do with your web pages. I have found it to be invaluable for looking after a large site, and use it to maintain a 1200+ page Internet/Intranet.

If you want to find out even more about what I am doing, or want some unusual animated GIFs, then take a look at my personal web site.

Articles by Brett Burridge