Barry's World

Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, I’m currently a Software Developer for a large bank in Memphis and have worked in the Computer field since 1973.  I have quite a few interests, but unfortunately not enough time to spend with very many of them.  I’ve always had an interest in Science and Technology.  I love gadgets and anything “Techy”.

For years, I was an avid reader, but don’t seem to have the time anymore.  I love just about any type of science fiction novel, but my favorite authors are Isaac Asimov, Poul Anderson, Larry Niven and John Norman.  I have just about the entire Gor series by John Norman.  I started reading his novels about the Counter Earth and Tarl Cabot back in the seventies.

I’m also somewhat of an amateur astronomer.  When I was a teenager, I built an eight-inch reflecting telescope from scratch.  I ground the main mirror myself using a kit that I purchased from Edmund Scientific Company.  It took me several weeks to grind that mirror.  I bought the main tube, eye pieces and other components from Edmund as well.  It was a pretty good telescope and I used it for several years before selling it to a friend.  Over the years, I’ve bought two or three smaller telescopes just to observe the moon and planets, but I’ve always wanted to get a really nice one someday.  I have my sights set on a large Meade reflector, possibly a 12 inch with GPS alignment.  Maybe someday.

I also like Electronics and Computers of course.  When I was younger, I was always building something.  I was a regular customer at Radio Shack back in the seventies and early eighties.  I used to buy electronic kits and other components and built several computers from scratch.  I had thought about going into electronics as a career and took several electronics and electrical related courses in college, but once I discovered computers, that was all I could think about.

Both of my parents were raised in the country, so I guess that’s why I enjoy driving through farms and being around cows and horses.  When I was in the ninth grade, we lived on my uncle’s farm in Missouri and helps him to take care of his cattle.  It was pretty fun actually and I always thought I would like to own a small farm myself one day.  Ideally, when I retire, I’d like to own a few acres out in the country somewhere and maybe get a few cows and a horse or two.  I’d love to have enough room for a good sized garden.

Nowadays, most of my time involves either my job or when I’m at home, I’m either watching TV or working on something related to Genealogy.  I’ve spent countless hours researching my family history and getting it organized.  Much of my family history is posted on one of my many websites.  I had considered writing a book on my family history, but it takes so much time to really do it right that I’ve kept putting it off.  Maybe when I retire, that will be one of the things I choose to occupy my time with.

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