Simon Batt-News and Features Reporter

Simon Batt

News and Features Reporter

Contributor Since November, 2023
Qualifications Computer Science BSc
Expertise
Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi
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About Simon Batt

Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech.

Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics.

What was your first computer?

The first computer I ever used was an ACORN, which my dad owned. We spent a lot of hours playing video games on it using a cassette tape player to load the data. I finally got a Windows 3.1 machine that I had at the end of my bed, which I experimented with, played games on, and found my love for tech.

How long have you been interested in technology?

Ever since I was a kid, I've always been glued to some kind of electronic device, whether it was a PC or a Gameboy. I eventually rose to the auspicious rank of "family tech support" and found my love for explaining all things tech .

What tech products or categories are you most passionate about?

Given that I started with Windows, I've always loved to see how the operating system develops over time. Microsoft has made some excellent and some strange moves over its lifetime, so you'll often find me reporting on all the things the Redmond tech giant does.

A lifestyle image of the Raspberry Pi 5

You can now use an external graphics card with Raspberry Pi 5

The Raspberry Pi cat TV

You can now make a Raspberry Pi TV for your cat

Latest

Cyberdemons in Doom 1993.
After drama tore GZDoom apart, UZDoom v5 is here to modernise the FPS classic
Gaming

When one open-source door closes, another door opens.

By 
Onlook Google TV Streamer with Remote
The Google TV Streamer just got a 50% price hike, but you can pay less if you act now
Entertainment

Some storefronts haven't got the memo yet.

By 
A photo of someone running CS2 on a cachyos install
Linux 7.3-rc1 is a huge release, and now we know just how big these releases can get
Linux

A lot of work is getting done.

By 
tux-linux-featured
Linus Torvalds used AI to fix a Linux bug, and now LLM critics on Linux face an uncomfortable choice
Linux

Avoiding software without AI code is getting very difficult.

7
By 
MacBook Pro terminal connected via SSH to a home server, showing a list of running Docker containers
Linux takes one step closer to working perfectly on your Mac with a patch for USB4 and Thunderbolt ports
Linux

It's still being tested right now, but hopefully it'll become a part of Linux soon.

By 
ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display running Marauder firmware showing Wi-Fi scan results
You, too, can squeeze an offline Wikipedia onto an ESP32 CYD with this project

It actually doesn't take up much data.

By 
esp32-alarm-clock-underlight
This ESP32 alarm clock comes complete with a built-in night light and wake-up light
ESP32

It also looks the part.

By 
Bazzite on a gaming PC.
PS2 emulator PCSX2 v2.8.0 is now out, and it boasts huge performance boosts for your games
Gaming

Also, no more codec nonsense.

By 
OneDrive and Google Photos.
Windows 11 finally lets you opt out of OneDrive during setup instead of just reminding you in three days
Windows 11: Everything you need to know

It's about time.

By 
A laptop running OnlyOffice in ReactOS
This open-source Windows alternative looks like XP, and it just got a huge update
Windows

Lots of bug fixes all around.

By 
photo of tron script windows 11 pc
Windows 11 is warning people that Defender Antivirus has been turned off, but don't worry, says Microsoft
Windows 11: Everything you need to know

It might be a false alarm.

By 
Asus ROG Ally running Half-Life 2 with a MacBook and a monitor in the background
12TB of Valve's data from 2003-2013 has leaked online, and Episode 3 content isn't off the table yet
Valve

The hunt for legendary gaming gold is afoot.

By 
Running Risk of Rain 2 on Pop_OS!
Linux 7.3 is giving my decade-old AMD GPU features it never had on Windows
Linux

Linux is doing what Windows won't do.

3
By 
Unbound DNS server running active on a Debian homelab server with live query logs visible in terminal
Debian gives the green light to AI code after a two-week vote, but submitters are responsible for it
Linux

Another distro declares its stance on AI.

By 
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion official reveal screenshot
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma doesn't deny The Elder Scrolls 6 as a console exclusive, which is a little worrying
Gaming

Here's hoping it's a nothing burger.

2
By 
esp32-print-lamp-featured
You, too, can make this cool ESP32 3D-printable lamp that looks great in any room
ESP32

There's an even bigger version on the way.

1
By 
linux-iphone-6s-featured-1
Someone got Linux running on their iPhone 6S, and so can you
Linux

Giving old phones new life.

By 
Neofetch ran inside of an ubuntu proxmox lxc
Someone built a Linux version of CrystalDiskInfo, and you can download it right now
Linux

Why make do when you can make your own?

5
By 
8BitDo Ultimate 2C
8BitDo finally makes installing controller drivers on Linux a breeze with its new website
Linux

Get the exact command you need with a few clicks.

1
By 
linksys-WRT-54G-clock
You, too, can build this cute alarm clock modeled after the classic Linksys WRT-54G router
3D Printing

Yes, the antennae are functional.

By 
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