GWai | Q & A's - Hardware

Which computers do you use?

Griff: I use Apple Macs and Window’s based PC’s. I have used Macs ever since they were launched in 1984, and Apple II’s a great deal before that. In fact, I have used computers just about all my life. The first computer my high school ever had was one I designed and built (Intel 4040, then 8080). Yes, I was there at the beginning with the ‘build you own boards - Z80 and 6502’, COSMAC 1800, S100 card systems, then Commodore PET, NASCOM1-II, TRS-80’s, Northstar Horizon’s... Really fun days. Just getting a ‘computer’ to boot up from you own boot-strap ROM was miraculous, the sense of achievement was huge. By comparison, everyone has it pretty easy these days...

Okay, I admit it! I am a computer nerd, geek! Call it what you like. Guilty as charged...

I’ve always loved computers; using them, designing them, building, programming, assembling, collecting, adapting. They changed my life. I don’t care what make or type, and I don’t care who knows it...

I have worked in quite a few areas of the computer industry, until illness forced me to change direction. I am now doing what I wanted to do when I finally retired. When I left school, and having to make directional choices at college, I had quite a few choices: maths, electronics, mechanical engineering, music, art and illustration. But, it was no good, computers had me by the jugular. Strangely, I’ve stayed in touch with all those choices to some degree.

I am now doing what I always wanted to do when I retired...

Anyway, I do most of my 3D/photorealistic work on PC’s... Since Apple have started employing Intel CPU’s together with Apple Boot Camp, I do run some applications on Macs, and have found it works very well. But, mostly it’s true to say that I use Windows based PC’s for my 3D work, I use Adobe CS3/4 on both Windows and Apple Macs...

When I can, and the weather is nice, I like to work in my garden using a fairly powerful laptop. It’s fine for modelling, CS3/4, and general business work. Modelling is what takes up most of my time. I have a render farm which takes care of the seriously processor intensive tasks. Overnight, most of my computers are pressed into render service, running remote render batches which I set up during the day. Some of the render nodes run for days and in some cases weeks just on one project.

I mainly use my Macs for Adobe CS3, Web and business work. Also producing documentation, but I use either really. I’m not an Apple or Windows zealot - I just use whichever is best suited to the task at hand. I love using both, feel comfortable with both. Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses... For some reason, I have not really ventured into Linux. Don’t ask me why... I haven’t had the time or the need I suppose...

What PC hardware do you use?

Griff: I tend to build my own systems, all except the render farm, which is rack-based. I do beta test some hardware for certain manufacturers (mentioning no names). My two main workstations are both 64-bit Intel Xeon quad-cores, overclocked to >3.8GHz with 8GB really fast Corsair memory, booting from 256GB Solid State Drives. The video cards vary as again I beta-test certain cards for both the main contenders, but are all high-spec. Living on a small island, nearly all my systems run off or through a few MGE Pulsar Revolution UPS’s which I have found to be superb!

Which human interface products do you use?

Griff: I mostly use Logitech mice - currently a VX Nano (beautifully designed, extremely light and responsive, and my favourite - I can use it ALL day long and it has really saved my hand and wrist!) I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone that uses a mouse for long periods!

...and MX Revolution (truly awesome mouse). Various Logitech keyboards - really like the S510 and the diNovo Edge at the moment, as they don’t get in the way. I have quite a few others. I use Wacom A4 and A3 tablets - simply the best for feel, response, sensitivity etc. I’ve tried most things, and nothing comes close. I have started using a couple of 3D input devices, but after all these years, frankly I still prefer mice/tablet combinations.

I have started using a couple of 3D input devices...

Questions & Answers - Hardware

Q & A’s about HARDWARE

Compilation of edited transcripts from recent interviews (2002-8)