Founded in 2001, icStatic.com is run entirely by Ian Norris, who is currently at the
University of Warwick,
England, studying Computer Science.
Although development has slowed significantly due to workload, icStatic.com still has one main project still underway: icTransfer. Completion of this project is not expected for at least another 12 months, in the meanwhile status can be monitored from the icTransfer website.
Although development has slowed significantly due to workload, icStatic.com still has one main project still underway: icTransfer. Completion of this project is not expected for at least another 12 months, in the meanwhile status can be monitored from the icTransfer website.
Ian Norris, the chairman of icStatic.com is just your average student trying to make a living in the software industry. He is currently in his third year of a
Computer Science
degree at the University of Warwick and is 20 years old.
If you care even remotely, there is a picture of him, be warned, it's not pretty! He has a blog if he ever adds anything to it. He should also stop talking in the 3rd person...
If you care even remotely, there is a picture of him, be warned, it's not pretty! He has a blog if he ever adds anything to it. He should also stop talking in the 3rd person...
I have always had a fascination with technology. When I was a baby, I used to play with the VCR. When I was older (about 8-9),
I read computer magazines and play on the family Amstrad 1640.
My programming skills were mainly obtained from reading books and learning by example (which was quite hard without Internet access).
I now class my C++ programming abilities as very high and I have good skills in many other languages and aspects of computing as well.
I started education at Billinge Chapel End Primary School, from here I progressed to Rainford High Technology College and then to Rainford College where I studied Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Biology at A-Level. Before and during doing my GCSE's I studied various programming courses at St. Helens College in night classes. Now I am studying Computer Science at the University of Warwick to BSc level. To earn a bit of extra cash, I also work part time for a computer support company called Meadoweb where I am their lead programmer on several projects.
My programming skills were mainly obtained from reading books and learning by example (which was quite hard without Internet access).
I now class my C++ programming abilities as very high and I have good skills in many other languages and aspects of computing as well.
I started education at Billinge Chapel End Primary School, from here I progressed to Rainford High Technology College and then to Rainford College where I studied Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Biology at A-Level. Before and during doing my GCSE's I studied various programming courses at St. Helens College in night classes. Now I am studying Computer Science at the University of Warwick to BSc level. To earn a bit of extra cash, I also work part time for a computer support company called Meadoweb where I am their lead programmer on several projects.
These are, well, my qualifications!
GCSEs
GCSEs
- A* - Biology, Electronics
- A - Mathematics, English Literature, Chemistry, Physics, Geography
- B - English Language, History, Religious Education, Spanish
- Biology - A
- Physics - A
- Maths - A
- Further Maths - A
- C Programming Level 1 + 2
- C Programming Level 3
- C++ Programming Level 3
- Java Programming Level 3
Computing
Wow, you're a good guesser! Yes, I like computers. All aspects of computing interest me, from gaming to case modding although my main thread of interest lies in programming.
Since my first computer I have had an interest in taking things to bits, so when the old family Amstrad 1640 finally became useless, I took it to pieces to find out how it worked. Electronic gadgets have always fascinated me and my parents often got sick of it as I would dismantle my toys. Now I build all computers I own, except my laptop; my main machine (Athlon 64 3000, 2GB Corsair TwinX CL2, GeForce 6800GT, 1TB HDD [consisting mainly of Samsung Spinpoints], 20" Dell 2001FP TFT, living inside a Lian-Li P6070+ case) I have built up from scratch over a period of about 2 years. I mainly use the hard disk space for raw DV captures from my camera and as temporary video when I am video editing. My laptop, a Dell Inspiron 8500 (2.2Ghz, 512Mb, 80gb, 15.4") used to be my main machine but once I got the large Dell monitor for my desktop, it was easier to work with. I tend to upgrade my machines not when they become slow, but when its most practical and cheapest to do so, buying new components when there are particularly good deals on and when I know that I can sell off the old stuff for a reasonable price. I built most of the family PCs and some of my friends too, once people know you are good with computers it tends to kind of spread...
I am also particularly fond of gaming on the computer, the game I am currently working my way through is GTA San Andreas, although I have been focusing on my work lately and I have not given it a great deal of time. I regularly meet up with friends to have LAN parties, where we play a number of games including Battlefield 2, Command and Conquer Generals: Zero Hour, Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne (although most of the time we play downloaded add-on Tower Defence maps), and Team Fortress Classic (when I can find someone to play me).
Case Modding. It has to be said I haven't put a great deal of effort into this recently. I was originally intending to spray paint my case metallic blue, I even got the paints, I just never had the time to do it. I will do it some day, Honest guv I will! At the moment however, my main case modding hobby is getting my computer as quiet as possible, I'm nearly happy with it...
So yes, programming. My main field of development is general C++ development, I program a lot for fun but I also program for profit and to solve a particular problem. My current interests are in cross-platform development (and I have found that wxWidgets does a particularly good job of this), 3d graphics, encryption, and copy protection technologies.
Photography
I am an avid photographer. I enjoy taking pictures of almost anything, although I particularly like taking Macro nature photos. I am also interested in the art of video and its many forms. I often take the raws from my camera and edit them to produce something a bit more polished, which is why I need so much hard disk space, although if I deleted stuff once in a while I might be ok... A lot of my work in this area has been at social events with friends and they often look forward to downloading the videos. If you are interested, there is a gallery of my photography work, there is also a page where you can download my videos.
Anime
Anime is a fairly new interest, I was introduced to it by a friend and have never looked back. I tend to prefer comic (particularly romantic) anime series, although I have been known to like other random series. My current favourite series (in alphabetical order) are: Ah! My Goddess, Azumanga Daioh, Fruits Basket, Great Teacher Onizuka, Love Hina, Onegai Teacher, Onegai Twins, and Rozen Maiden.
Because of this interest and my interest in video editing, I put the two together to create several Anime Music Videos. I have made two videos so far, both of which were to Love Hina. They were 'Puddle of Mudd - She Hates Me' and 'Santana - Smooth'. My next project will be 'Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams', probably to Onegai Teacher and Onegai Twins. You can download these videos although please make sure you have bought a copy of both the anime series and the song to keep things legal!
My friend BJ and I are also in the process of creating our own Anime series called 'Fubaru'. There are details of this project in my Blog.
Music
I have quite a broad range of taste in music ranging from The Corrs to Puddle of Mudd and Infected Mushroom. To inspect my music taste a little closer, take a look at my last.fm profile.
TV
It has to be said, I'm a sucker for comedy and not a lot else! I am particularly fond of series such as Red Dwarf, Friends, Joey (I know I know, its not that bad!), The Simpsons, Futurama and Family Guy. I am also eagerly awaiting the release of American Dad in the UK as I have seen some clips of it and it looks great.
When I am not watching comedy, I normally like to watch educational TV, the Discovery channel often has a few gems!
Oh yeah, does anyone remember 'Bugs'? That was great. They should re-run that, or I could just buy the DVDs...
Films
My favourite film? Probably 'The Incredibles' at the moment. It's got a great plot, great characters and its well animated. Great. Others, I like are Shrek (1 and 2), Bridget Jones's Diary, Men in Black, Blade, Oceans Eleven, The Parole Officer... and many many more. Some friends and I often have our 'Chinese and Film Night' where we order a chinese (although sometimes its pizza *shock horror*) and watch a film.
The Great Outdoors
Sunlight! Ah! Noo! It Burns!! .... Nah, not really, I enjoy walking (particularly at night as the air is fresher), go to the gym frequently and play Badminton and Tennis when I can. I am also a member of the National Trust and enjoy going to their nature reserves and stately homes.
Languages
I am currently in the process of learning Japanese; I started a night course at Uni but had to give it up due to time restraints. I intend to learn Japanese in my spare time at some point in the near future.
Social
Both at Uni and at home I have a lot of friends. I meet with my friends from home whenever I can, and regularly meet with my friends at Uni. In particular, I go to the pub every Monday night for a drink, and also have our regular 'Chinese and Film Night'. I also meet regularly with the University of Warwick Computing Society (better known as CompSoc), for LAN parties and many other social events such as bowling. This year I am the treasurer of the society.
Chinese Food
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Enough said I think!
Wow, you're a good guesser! Yes, I like computers. All aspects of computing interest me, from gaming to case modding although my main thread of interest lies in programming.
Since my first computer I have had an interest in taking things to bits, so when the old family Amstrad 1640 finally became useless, I took it to pieces to find out how it worked. Electronic gadgets have always fascinated me and my parents often got sick of it as I would dismantle my toys. Now I build all computers I own, except my laptop; my main machine (Athlon 64 3000, 2GB Corsair TwinX CL2, GeForce 6800GT, 1TB HDD [consisting mainly of Samsung Spinpoints], 20" Dell 2001FP TFT, living inside a Lian-Li P6070+ case) I have built up from scratch over a period of about 2 years. I mainly use the hard disk space for raw DV captures from my camera and as temporary video when I am video editing. My laptop, a Dell Inspiron 8500 (2.2Ghz, 512Mb, 80gb, 15.4") used to be my main machine but once I got the large Dell monitor for my desktop, it was easier to work with. I tend to upgrade my machines not when they become slow, but when its most practical and cheapest to do so, buying new components when there are particularly good deals on and when I know that I can sell off the old stuff for a reasonable price. I built most of the family PCs and some of my friends too, once people know you are good with computers it tends to kind of spread...
I am also particularly fond of gaming on the computer, the game I am currently working my way through is GTA San Andreas, although I have been focusing on my work lately and I have not given it a great deal of time. I regularly meet up with friends to have LAN parties, where we play a number of games including Battlefield 2, Command and Conquer Generals: Zero Hour, Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne (although most of the time we play downloaded add-on Tower Defence maps), and Team Fortress Classic (when I can find someone to play me).
Case Modding. It has to be said I haven't put a great deal of effort into this recently. I was originally intending to spray paint my case metallic blue, I even got the paints, I just never had the time to do it. I will do it some day, Honest guv I will! At the moment however, my main case modding hobby is getting my computer as quiet as possible, I'm nearly happy with it...
So yes, programming. My main field of development is general C++ development, I program a lot for fun but I also program for profit and to solve a particular problem. My current interests are in cross-platform development (and I have found that wxWidgets does a particularly good job of this), 3d graphics, encryption, and copy protection technologies.
Photography
I am an avid photographer. I enjoy taking pictures of almost anything, although I particularly like taking Macro nature photos. I am also interested in the art of video and its many forms. I often take the raws from my camera and edit them to produce something a bit more polished, which is why I need so much hard disk space, although if I deleted stuff once in a while I might be ok... A lot of my work in this area has been at social events with friends and they often look forward to downloading the videos. If you are interested, there is a gallery of my photography work, there is also a page where you can download my videos.
Anime
Anime is a fairly new interest, I was introduced to it by a friend and have never looked back. I tend to prefer comic (particularly romantic) anime series, although I have been known to like other random series. My current favourite series (in alphabetical order) are: Ah! My Goddess, Azumanga Daioh, Fruits Basket, Great Teacher Onizuka, Love Hina, Onegai Teacher, Onegai Twins, and Rozen Maiden.
Because of this interest and my interest in video editing, I put the two together to create several Anime Music Videos. I have made two videos so far, both of which were to Love Hina. They were 'Puddle of Mudd - She Hates Me' and 'Santana - Smooth'. My next project will be 'Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams', probably to Onegai Teacher and Onegai Twins. You can download these videos although please make sure you have bought a copy of both the anime series and the song to keep things legal!
My friend BJ and I are also in the process of creating our own Anime series called 'Fubaru'. There are details of this project in my Blog.
Music
I have quite a broad range of taste in music ranging from The Corrs to Puddle of Mudd and Infected Mushroom. To inspect my music taste a little closer, take a look at my last.fm profile.
TV
It has to be said, I'm a sucker for comedy and not a lot else! I am particularly fond of series such as Red Dwarf, Friends, Joey (I know I know, its not that bad!), The Simpsons, Futurama and Family Guy. I am also eagerly awaiting the release of American Dad in the UK as I have seen some clips of it and it looks great.
When I am not watching comedy, I normally like to watch educational TV, the Discovery channel often has a few gems!
Oh yeah, does anyone remember 'Bugs'? That was great. They should re-run that, or I could just buy the DVDs...
Films
My favourite film? Probably 'The Incredibles' at the moment. It's got a great plot, great characters and its well animated. Great. Others, I like are Shrek (1 and 2), Bridget Jones's Diary, Men in Black, Blade, Oceans Eleven, The Parole Officer... and many many more. Some friends and I often have our 'Chinese and Film Night' where we order a chinese (although sometimes its pizza *shock horror*) and watch a film.
The Great Outdoors
Sunlight! Ah! Noo! It Burns!! .... Nah, not really, I enjoy walking (particularly at night as the air is fresher), go to the gym frequently and play Badminton and Tennis when I can. I am also a member of the National Trust and enjoy going to their nature reserves and stately homes.
Languages
I am currently in the process of learning Japanese; I started a night course at Uni but had to give it up due to time restraints. I intend to learn Japanese in my spare time at some point in the near future.
Social
Both at Uni and at home I have a lot of friends. I meet with my friends from home whenever I can, and regularly meet with my friends at Uni. In particular, I go to the pub every Monday night for a drink, and also have our regular 'Chinese and Film Night'. I also meet regularly with the University of Warwick Computing Society (better known as CompSoc), for LAN parties and many other social events such as bowling. This year I am the treasurer of the society.
Chinese Food
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Enough said I think!