I've been into media and electronics as long as I can remember, begging my father to take me to Radio Shack beginning around age 7, probably driving the poor sales guy nuts with my questions.

I've been working with audio and video production seriously for the last sixteen years, doing it professionally at least part time for the last fifteen.

Presently, I run an audio/video production unit at a large state university. Part of my duties includes purchasing and maintaining a/v equipment for loan and classrooms, in addition to purchasing and using production equipment. So I've had the opportunity to try a variety of brands and types of equipment, and thus have become familiar with the problems that crop up.

I am also an independent radio and video producer, hosting a weekly community radio program on media issues that is now heard on seven stations across the country.

I'm a bit of a hacker and I'm also a bit cheap -- I don't want to spend a lot on something fancy (or purported to be fancy), if I can get it done just as well with something simpler, cheaper or more DIY.