Acorn User article

Written by . . . . David Dade
Published by . . . Acorn User
                   (July 1997  Issue 183  Page 15)
Copyright  . . . . © 1997 IDG Media Ltd
                   Permission granted to me to make
                   this text available from my site
                   by Steve Turnbull (Editor).

The world according to Rick

When I begin an article for this page, I am faced with a blank space that almost defies me to put some words into it. Much the same situation occurs when you open an Internet access account that gives you free Web pages. You have to decide how and what to say to the world with your own Web space.

While some people like show off their skill with images, animations and clever features, others feel that content and information better convey their personalities. One such is Richard Murray, whose BudgieSoft Web pages hosted by Argonet are a good example of a site that contains more HTML than graphics.

Richard's pages describe some of the important things in his life - boeuf stroganoff, mature cheddar, more mature cheddar, bean pizza, music by MeatLoaf, TV and movies. His list of loves also includes his mom, who even has her own home page on the site. How many other sons have paid their mothers such a tribute?

In spite of his avowed dislike of mathematics, olives and physical work, Richard Murray has written lots of software for RISC OS, from his well-known BBS doors and utilities to a feature-laden Econet user editor and management system called BudgieMgr. The BudgieSoft name honours a fondly-remembered pet bird called Stephanie.

A demo version of BudgieMgr can be downloaded from the site, and details of other programs like his enhanced graphics ANSI terminal system, Mterm, can be found here.

The Econet enthusiasts page has useful information on the history, installation and management of Econet networks and shows that Rick really appreciates Econet technology.

Frobnicate is the anarchic digital Acorn magazine compiled and edited by Rick in his notional guise of Hissing Spinach Publishing.

Supplied in zipped Ovation format, the magazine has reached issue 12 with an estimated circulation of about 75, and is available both from bulletin boards and John Surcombe's Demon web site at http://www.surcombe.demon.co.uk/frobnicate/.

The blank space I started with is now filled with words, and so has Rick filled his space. Don't be put off by its high textual content and let this site give you an insight into the web world of Richard Murray.

Richard Murray's BudgieSoft site
http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/rmurray/index.html

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