SQuirkio
@squirkio.com
CTO, Biker, Gamer, Manx.. Capable of great guile and cunning when in pursuit of pies. Stuff that distracts me:
- Video & Board Games
- Lifting weights
- Motorbikes (T120!)
- Bass
- Sci-fi
- Technology
- Music
- Video & Board Games
- Lifting weights
- Motorbikes (T120!)
- Bass
- Sci-fi
- Technology
- Music
If, like me, you're struggling to find stuff to watch across multiple platforms, little guides like this are a godsend - UK centric 'what to watch' for November www.bbc.co.uk/culture/arti...
All's Fair to Stranger Things: 10 of the best TV shows to watch this November
From an all-star legal drama starring Kim Kardashian, to Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan's new sci-fi series, and the fifth and final season of Netflix's Stranger Things.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 11:59 AM
If, like me, you're struggling to find stuff to watch across multiple platforms, little guides like this are a godsend - UK centric 'what to watch' for November www.bbc.co.uk/culture/arti...
Just finished Adrian Tchaikovsky's "Alien Clay" and WOW. A brilliant standalone sci-fi that's part prison-planet thriller, part mind-bending alien mystery. If you like smart, page-turning sci-fi, this is a must-read. Quick review on my blog! #AlienClay #BookReview #SciFi squirkio.com/book-review-...
Book Review – Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky - SQuirkio
Truly Alien I've only discovered Adrian Tchaikovsky recently, but I've been greedily devouring his ample backlog. Fortunately for me, there's loads to discover, and he seems to be a prolific author wh...
squirkio.com
August 31, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Just finished Adrian Tchaikovsky's "Alien Clay" and WOW. A brilliant standalone sci-fi that's part prison-planet thriller, part mind-bending alien mystery. If you like smart, page-turning sci-fi, this is a must-read. Quick review on my blog! #AlienClay #BookReview #SciFi squirkio.com/book-review-...
Blue Prince on the PS5. Almost didn't because the reviews are so mixed, but it's one of those games that doesn't make it clear what it is until you really get stuck in, bit like The Witness. There's layers of puzzle and knowledge that unfold. it's great, slow, but interesting enough to keep you in.
April 27, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Blue Prince on the PS5. Almost didn't because the reviews are so mixed, but it's one of those games that doesn't make it clear what it is until you really get stuck in, bit like The Witness. There's layers of puzzle and knowledge that unfold. it's great, slow, but interesting enough to keep you in.
Gnomon (amzn.to/420xKUk) - A layered and rambling take on a future Orwellian mass surveillance society. Wasn't sure I enjoyed while reading it, feels rambling, confusing, uses language that is often made up. A satisfying and thought provoking journey unlike anything else I've read. For the brave.
Gnomon
Gnomon
amzn.to
April 5, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Gnomon (amzn.to/420xKUk) - A layered and rambling take on a future Orwellian mass surveillance society. Wasn't sure I enjoyed while reading it, feels rambling, confusing, uses language that is often made up. A satisfying and thought provoking journey unlike anything else I've read. For the brave.
These are beautifully realised simulations of old LED handheld gaming systems itizso.itch.io/retrofab. Young uns should be forced to play these to understand just how lucky they are with the Switch and Steamdeck!
RetroFab by Itizso
Handheld electronic game simulations
itizso.itch.io
February 9, 2025 at 12:36 PM
These are beautifully realised simulations of old LED handheld gaming systems itizso.itch.io/retrofab. Young uns should be forced to play these to understand just how lucky they are with the Switch and Steamdeck!
I go 'ooh that ruled why hasn't it had a remaster?'. Google...turns out it has! Doh!
These DOS games are turning 30 years old this year:
----
Full Throttle
Hexen
Abuse
Worms
Terminal Velocity
Dark Forces
Command & Conquer
BioForge
Need for Speed
Hi-Octane
Destruction Derby
Witchaven
Descent
Stonekeep
Crusader
Heroes of Might & Magic
Warcraft 2
Phantasmagoria
Discworld
MechWarrior 2
----
Full Throttle
Hexen
Abuse
Worms
Terminal Velocity
Dark Forces
Command & Conquer
BioForge
Need for Speed
Hi-Octane
Destruction Derby
Witchaven
Descent
Stonekeep
Crusader
Heroes of Might & Magic
Warcraft 2
Phantasmagoria
Discworld
MechWarrior 2
January 7, 2025 at 7:29 AM
I go 'ooh that ruled why hasn't it had a remaster?'. Google...turns out it has! Doh!
Nicely concise history of twisted pair ethernet. If you lived the transition from thin ethernet to twisted pair you'll know how much pain this tech solved. Although I am reliving many of my thin ethernet challenges all over again in the madly addictive Satisfactory! www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8PP...
TWISTED: The dramatic history of twisted-pair Ethernet
YouTube video by The Serial Port
www.youtube.com
December 30, 2024 at 10:54 AM
Nicely concise history of twisted pair ethernet. If you lived the transition from thin ethernet to twisted pair you'll know how much pain this tech solved. Although I am reliving many of my thin ethernet challenges all over again in the madly addictive Satisfactory! www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8PP...
First out of the box is Quarto. Another well constructed game with a sturdy wooden board and nicely carved wooden pieces. It's basically connect 4, but with four factors to match on (colour, height, shape, hollow). Really fun two player quickie with a couple of variants available. #boardgames
December 27, 2024 at 11:56 AM
First out of the box is Quarto. Another well constructed game with a sturdy wooden board and nicely carved wooden pieces. It's basically connect 4, but with four factors to match on (colour, height, shape, hollow). Really fun two player quickie with a couple of variants available. #boardgames
Lots of new board games for Xmas, including Harmonies. Lovely looking, wooden pieces and a hex board (yum!). You can play it solo, or up to 4. Premise is creating habitats for wildlife to score points. It's fun, and a puzzle but it's 4 players playing solo with little interaction. #boardgames
December 27, 2024 at 11:51 AM
Lots of new board games for Xmas, including Harmonies. Lovely looking, wooden pieces and a hex board (yum!). You can play it solo, or up to 4. Premise is creating habitats for wildlife to score points. It's fun, and a puzzle but it's 4 players playing solo with little interaction. #boardgames
Spotify tip: if the AI DJ keeps chugging out the same set of tunes, clear the cache. Sorts it right out!
December 20, 2024 at 4:22 PM
Spotify tip: if the AI DJ keeps chugging out the same set of tunes, clear the cache. Sorts it right out!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8--... Big fan of Robert Greene and the way he looks to history to answer the issues of today and I think he's nailed it here, you see this behaviour daily on the interwang.
The Nature of Human Stupidity
YouTube video by Robert Greene
www.youtube.com
December 20, 2024 at 8:54 AM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8--... Big fan of Robert Greene and the way he looks to history to answer the issues of today and I think he's nailed it here, you see this behaviour daily on the interwang.
It's Christmas so I played three sofa coop games last night with fam. 1st Biped: flippin ace. Think those two robots with no legs from Silent Running controlled with just the sticks solving puzzles in coop, great fun and really well executed.
December 20, 2024 at 7:22 AM
It's Christmas so I played three sofa coop games last night with fam. 1st Biped: flippin ace. Think those two robots with no legs from Silent Running controlled with just the sticks solving puzzles in coop, great fun and really well executed.
A 7 month drought and a bit of drama but I'm chuffed to bits my faves Girlfriend Reviews are back publishing and the latest is a brilliant career stat analysis that puts spotify wrapped to shame www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP-v...
Should Your Boyfriend Play Video Games?
YouTube video by Girlfriend Reviews
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2024 at 6:18 PM
A 7 month drought and a bit of drama but I'm chuffed to bits my faves Girlfriend Reviews are back publishing and the latest is a brilliant career stat analysis that puts spotify wrapped to shame www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP-v...
Another proper 'oh yes, this is the future' moment with Gemini 2.0 Advanced stream feature. Start a voice chat, share your 2nd screen with your new AI co-worker and chat through what you're doing in real time. He knows stuff, doesn't get bored, no distracting with stories about last nights dream....
December 15, 2024 at 1:32 PM
Another proper 'oh yes, this is the future' moment with Gemini 2.0 Advanced stream feature. Start a voice chat, share your 2nd screen with your new AI co-worker and chat through what you're doing in real time. He knows stuff, doesn't get bored, no distracting with stories about last nights dream....
Very happy with my Keychron K2 and it's holding up well after several years use, but stuff like this is eroding my resistance to buying a new Q pro that I don't need but oh so badly want!
December 15, 2024 at 1:15 PM
Very happy with my Keychron K2 and it's holding up well after several years use, but stuff like this is eroding my resistance to buying a new Q pro that I don't need but oh so badly want!
Just finishing off a Bobverse binge closing out with Heavens River, really enjoyed them all: fast, interesting, fun, sort of a modern Harry Harrison/Deathworld vibe. Looking at following up with Mickey 7 which has similarities, noting the 2nd book is 99p today (amzn.to/3ZTZqsV) - anyone tried these?
Antimatter Blues: A Mickey7 Novel
Antimatter Blues: A Mickey7 Novel eBook : Ashton, Edward: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
amzn.to
December 15, 2024 at 11:18 AM
Just finishing off a Bobverse binge closing out with Heavens River, really enjoyed them all: fast, interesting, fun, sort of a modern Harry Harrison/Deathworld vibe. Looking at following up with Mickey 7 which has similarities, noting the 2nd book is 99p today (amzn.to/3ZTZqsV) - anyone tried these?
I'm playing through Road 96, think a narrative driven adventure game in the Telltale/Firewatch style, but with bits of roguelike in there; with each run you learn something of the last trip. Didn't grip me at first, but with a small group repeating characters, it's sucking me in.
Save 75% on Road 96 🛣️ on Steam
Hitchhike your way to freedom in this crazy procedurally generated road trip. No one's road is the same!
store.steampowered.com
December 9, 2024 at 11:05 AM
I'm playing through Road 96, think a narrative driven adventure game in the Telltale/Firewatch style, but with bits of roguelike in there; with each run you learn something of the last trip. Didn't grip me at first, but with a small group repeating characters, it's sucking me in.
Iron Maiden's Nico McBrain announces a well earned retirement. After being with the metal monsters for 42 years and now into his 70's I reckon he's due some time off. blabbermouth.net/news/iron-ma...
IRON MAIDEN's NICKO MCBRAIN Announces Retirement From Touring: Tonight Will Be 'My Final Gig' With The Band
IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain has announced his retirement from touring. The 72-year-old musician, who has been a member of MAIDEN for more than four decades, revealed his decision to "step back" ...
blabbermouth.net
December 7, 2024 at 4:29 PM
Iron Maiden's Nico McBrain announces a well earned retirement. After being with the metal monsters for 42 years and now into his 70's I reckon he's due some time off. blabbermouth.net/news/iron-ma...
Turtling Storm Darragh playing Aliens Dark Descent on the PS5 (thanks PS+), either I'm getting pooper at games or this things hard as nails. Tense too. The better half isn't enjoying the audio, 'does it have to beep'. It's Aliens, it has to beep, beep, beeeeep!
December 7, 2024 at 3:51 PM
Turtling Storm Darragh playing Aliens Dark Descent on the PS5 (thanks PS+), either I'm getting pooper at games or this things hard as nails. Tense too. The better half isn't enjoying the audio, 'does it have to beep'. It's Aliens, it has to beep, beep, beeeeep!
I'm keeping an eye out for Isle of Man / Manx posters on BlueSky, follow or chat for an add if you're on the rock! bsky.app/profile/did:... #manx #IsleOfMan #IOM
December 7, 2024 at 10:37 AM
I'm keeping an eye out for Isle of Man / Manx posters on BlueSky, follow or chat for an add if you're on the rock! bsky.app/profile/did:... #manx #IsleOfMan #IOM
Well put together documentary from Ahoy reviewing Transport Tycoon solo dev Chris Shorts, er, Long career in porting and original game dev www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jou.... If it gives you an itch for more Rollercoaster Tycoon, OpenRC2 is great and runs on modern rigs openrct2.org.
RollerCoaster Tycoon was the last of its kind.
YouTube video by Ahoy
www.youtube.com
December 7, 2024 at 9:27 AM
Well put together documentary from Ahoy reviewing Transport Tycoon solo dev Chris Shorts, er, Long career in porting and original game dev www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jou.... If it gives you an itch for more Rollercoaster Tycoon, OpenRC2 is great and runs on modern rigs openrct2.org.
Go team Spock! expertfile.com/spotlight/10...
Study: Intuitive introverts lead the most successful teams | Spotlight
An unwritten law of leadership states the loudest voices in the room are not always the wisest. Some of history’s most notable and suc...
expertfile.com
December 6, 2024 at 6:13 PM
Go team Spock! expertfile.com/spotlight/10...
OK, next project is a living room Picade and steam link setup: retro and modern depending on your mood.
December 3, 2024 at 5:43 PM
OK, next project is a living room Picade and steam link setup: retro and modern depending on your mood.
I'm Simon! Day job is CTO, so I'm about devs, engineers, systems and making tech tick. Downtime: bass guitar, games, sci-fi, board games. Like to chat about the what's behind conspiracy theories, tech, t'internet. If you're from the Isle of Man, give me a shout too! #Manx #CTO #Bass #Gamer #SciFi
December 3, 2024 at 4:28 PM