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Here are some of the dedicated Webcentre staff:
And other people so talented, so worthy and so willing to be called upon that they rate a mention here too:
In 1980s I spent six inscrutable years in Japan working for a great little computer company which later got swallowed by a giant (Toshiba). Some of my time was spent refereeing a development team consisting of stroppy Kiwis, Irish, Nihonjin, Koreans and one token American. When I wasn't doing that, I was jet-setting all over the world, learning interesting things about the insides of hotels, airports, offices and restaurants.
On our way back to New Zealand, Vicki and I spent a few fantastic months re-visiting these places, and discovered that they had museums, architecture, scenery and people! Then we came home and settled in Christchurch, which is a great place to live (even after the major quakes of 2010-2011).
And started this business...
When at work, I manage the rest of our team and devote my remaining seconds to designing and developing software, generally high-performance client/server database applications and produtivity software. This is typically done in Delphi and runs on Windows. I'm also developing new product lines and capabilities as time allows.
Otherwise, I fly remotely piloted aircraft to take stunning aerial videos,, go kayaking as often as possible, and travel every chance I get. And I'm dying to get back to Antarctica! I also dress up in impressive clothes to pose as a 12th-Century scoundrel. That is, when we're not up on the roof playing petanque.
I write stories too, at least one of which was described as "amusing" (Alex Heatley), "Splendid stuff" (New Scientist, Feb 20, 1999) and "You cannot be serious!" (Dave Jones). It even got published in Phlogiston.
I've also been known to act, but I won't bore you with the reviews...
Email Peter (be gentle).
After abandoning Auckland to start a Canterbury science degree in astrophysics, I wandered through a startlingly diverse range of departments in search of a major, and ended up with the perfect academic background for a science journalist — I know a little about everything, but not a great deal about anything in particular.
I spent my sojourn in Japan working for a science and technology database and, later, as a science and front-page editor for one of the four main English daily newspapers, The Daily Yomiuri..
I'm a self-confessed science groupie, which explains 10 years of work on the New Zealand Science Monthly and another ten as founder-editor of SciTechDaily Review. But the bulk of my time these days is spent in project management for Webcentre, advising clients, and writing projects of one kind or another.
Actually, work stuff can be a lot of fun and very satisfying. I really enjoy the strategic planning side of things where we can help people think beyond the next six months. It does mean a little too much time slaving over a hot computer though...
Other things I do include being Chair-entity for the New Zealand Skeptics for 17 years, then its media spokes-person. This involves (among other things) early morning calls from radio stations every Friday 13th. *sigh*
If I'm lucky, I get to put on my 16-gauge steel helm and camail, my breastplate, my padded gambeson, my knee and elbow pads, my groin protection, my puncture-proof trousers and my boots, and go out and shoot arrows at Peter (see SCA).
If I'm really lucky, I hit him.
Email Vicki — she doesn't bite. Honest.
I picked up a degree in Psychology at the University of Canterbury while working there, and moved on to many years at Tower Financial Advisory Services, fewer at Mountfort Park Accommodation Limited, and was very happy to move to Webcentre Ltd many years ago.
When I have several spare moments in a row I read, embroider, knit, sew, make lace and teach all of the above.
Email Elizabeth.
After a decade or so as a university student and part-time tutor, I sort of drifted bit by bit into a job with this place. Not as much fun, but the money's a bit better and I still don't have to have a haircut or wear shoes.
Aside from slaving at work, I sleep, read, argue, listen to music, procrastinate, play games... you know, sort of like everyone else really. Some day I may get around to updating this page and doing a comprehensive sloth page.
In May of 1998, I've found myself drafted into the role of International Software Development Agent Extraordinaire for Webcentre Ltd. I thank Peter for being, at that time, busy enough with other business matters. I was therefore ready to take my lifetime career challenge: help TurboNote+ become real and successful.
Now I discover myself busier than ever: as the father of my two children: Cristian, my 8 years old son and Diana, my 19 months old daughter.
I live in Sibiu, which is an historic town in central Romania (keywords like: Transylvania, Dracula, Fagaras Mountains - spend five spare minutes and relax by visiting this page http://www.mountainguide.ro/en/trekking.htm - tuica, sarmale, brânza telemea may say something to you).
And don't forget to use and pass TurboNote+ to your friends. My best reward is to see everybody enjoying it!
Many thanks to Emil Fickel (software developer in Germany), to Paul DiLascia (editor for Microsoft Systems Journal) for replying to my emails during 1998 and to Bartosz Milewski for writing the pragmatic and useful Win32 programming tutorial http://www.relisoft.com