Lee Friend (李友) Homepage
Lee Friend (李友), his career has been in technology (IT Support / IT Programmer), 30+ years on and off a working IT Professional, a BSc Computer Science degree graduate from UEL (University of East London). He lives in London with his wife Teresa Ling.
(Me in 2023)
My story using technology. I started using technology at an early age by going on visits to the coast and playing arcade games. Also the same time playing on numerous video game handheld systems.
In the 1980's our family got an Atari 2600, my first real computer games machine. Later on I received a Sinclair ZX Spectrum where I learned some BASIC programming, plus I played a lot of video games on it! A few years later, Amstrad took over Sinclair, and so I got a Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128+2.
(Me using an Atari joystick on the Atari 2600 console, 1982)
At school the RM Link 480z became my favourite school computer. In the late 1980's I got a Commodore Amiga 500, followed later in the early 1990's I bought myself my first PC, a second-hand Olivetti 386sx-16mhz. I left school and went to Docklands ITEC to study MS-BASIC and RM-COBOL-85 programming, up until Summer 1992, where I then went to college, and learned PASCAL programming and MS-COBOL.
In 1994, I joined the University of East London (UEL) to study a Computing Degree and further my education. I learned C programming in UNIX and DOS. And I self taught myself HTML and graphics. UEL hosted my first website on their web server.
The early days of home computing, the Internet, and Web, were big factors for me in deciding to work professionally in technology. My first IT job was as a Junior IT Administrator, back in the Summer of 1996, administrating Windows NT, UNIX and Novell servers. My work later lead me to mainly using and supporting Microsoft's software and networks.
(Me in 1996)
After university graduation, I worked in IT Support for a few years up to Summer 2000 where I started working as a professional Web/Software Programmer (Developer). I did that up until 2015, when I then reverted back to IT Support roles.
My early IT job experiences, I was working in various industries such as Investment Banking, Insurance, and Media. Recently, the IT jobs I have worked in have been with non-profits (NFP's).
Today, I still work in IT professionally for a living when the opportunities arise, and I work volunteering sometimes offering my skills for free. I am also Programmer (Developer) and Founder for the indie software house 'ByteSizeFreddy Software', which is a team of old friends who develop video games.
Computer wise I own Microsoft Windows and Linux laptops. I like a variety of operating systems and software. I also use gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Switch and The Spectrum (ZX Spectrum remake). Recently I obtained an emulator to play Spectrum Next games.
Recently I use Big Tech products and services (Meta, Elon Musk's X, Google, etc) a lot less now, instead I support more open source e.g. Proton, Signal, Firefox, etc. I made a stand against a lot of Big Tech in today's world because of greed. I want to make a difference. Regarding AI, I am not pleased with the damaging impact AI has on the planet, and its future that could end humanity unless controlled properly.
Outside of technology, my interests include music, wildlife, nature, food, reading books, art, travel, walks, skiing, and watching football.
My wife Teresa Ling and I first met at University in 1995, and later in 1998 we got married in Hackney Town Hall. She was a COBOL Programmer (Developer) for NEC in Singapore until she moved to UK in 1995 to study at UEL. Today Teresa is a Business Analyst. She is the best cook I've ever known, that's why I'm 30kg heavier now than when I was back in 1995 :) .
(Teresa and I on holiday in Singapore, 2005)
WEB LINKS
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YouTube - My YouTube channel.
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Lee's Mastodon page - Social media I post to.
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ByteSizeFreddySoftware.com - I am Programmer for them.
Copyright Lee Friend, 1994-2026, -- Page modified: 10th October 2026.