A few thoughts on web construction in general and this site in particular.

I've had free web space for years, beginning with the 10 mb's or whatever it is Virgin offer you, through to the 30 you get with Blueyonder. While it's always troubled me a bit not to make use of something that's free for the taking, (especially when offered by a Virgin), I never really knew what to do with it. I'd always had a vague idea about using it for family history, which was slow to first develop, but has now evolved into the "In Search of..." series.

However, it was through the creative writing side of my nature, both fantasy and travel, that it occurred to me to actually tap into it as an extension of that writing and make use of the full multi-media potential. What is interesting (for me anyway) is that when I write I always "see" it in sound and pictures as well as words, the Web allows you to do this in a way a book or an article can't. Of course remember if you don't like sound on your web pages you can always turn the volume to off...

The next thing you worry about is the audience, what will people think of this and thus of course of me? It's only as you get older that you actually realise that it is, in reality, irrelevant, you are only really writing for yourself and to some extent your nearest and dearest. If other people find any of it interesting that is an added (positive) bonus, though of course you are not supposed to say this. As to what they think of you, well they think it of you anyway, I doubt any of this will change that much, perhaps people know us better than we think.

There is of course the technical bit too, it isn't easy whatever the software people tell you, and you do have to put the time in to learn it. My advice is if you have a creative side to your nature and you want to express it a bit have a go, its good fun and worth it. If you want a commercial site then get some silly sod who's learnt all this stuff to do it for you - it may cost a few bob but it will save a lot of time and aggravation!

As to this site, well there are 5 broad areas, in some cases almost mini-sites that are all themed differently. This breaks the golden rule of web design which is to have a consistent theme ("brand image" in the lingo) all through your site. I suppose this is fine if you are selling widgets and want a corporate theme but it would sure stifle creativity and be very dull to design. Thus the background in each section is meant to relate to the topic that is being dealt with.

The Phantom is the most multimedia and web reliant, a good download speed will help. If you are interested in it, I'd make sure your connect speed is ideally in the 40's. All through the site I've tried to keep download times low by inserting thumbnails for the bigger graphics. Just click on the image to get the full size.

The Links and Jokes bit are what they say, the adult ones are not intended for young children but are by no means the worst of what you will find out there, and they did at least make me laugh - if you know better ones lets have them.

The origins of the travel notes are explained here - -, I will both add the back catalogue and new ones as they arise. And that is the final point I will update the site at various times and have created the update page to track this here. Jokes, family history and links will largely rely on feedback from you. Travel notes on when we take a trip and the Shuffle on whether the spirit moves the Phantom or not.

If you really are keen then "E" mail me here and I will let you know directly when there is a significant update. One final thing go and get broadband so I can add all sorts of effects and not worry that it will never download, oh and I do hope you find at least one thing that entertains you or makes you smile.