ma.rcus.co.uk - The Life and Work of Marcus Cent

A Winter’s Day on The Palm

admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:34:05 +0000

A clear November Day on The Palm

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Arcy Francisco

admin — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 11:58:04 +0000

Recent pictures of the very beautiful Arcinel Francisco

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Cars, Past and Present

admin — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 17:58:12 +0000

A selection of 4 wheel pictures. Cars I drive, past and present.

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Bulacan House Project

admin — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 09:04:06 +0000

Most recent images from the Philippines house project. This is a 3 bedroom house under construction in Bulacan, Philippines. These images are from early September 2011.

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Discovering Multimedia

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:10:36 +0000

Student Days – University of Paisley, BIT, 1988 – 1993 [then to 1995 on the payroll]
This image shows a multimedia touch screen version of the then, University of Paisley undergraduate prospectus. It dates back to around 1993 and was a developed version of my degree year student project. It was developed in an authoring tool called IconAuthor. From the first time I saw this software I knew I was on to something. Until that point I didn’t have much of a clue where my studies in Business Information Technology were going to take me. Authoring tools and the emergence of postage sized video on a computer appealed to my creative side and allowed my non-programmer brain to find a way to create software without being able to code. I was employed by the University after graduation to turn the project into a working system. Later I was employed as a Multimedia Technical Office in a unit of the university called MEDC. My job was to evaluate software used by further education colleges. It was an easy introduction to working life.

First “real” job. Thanks SSK

admin — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 15:09:05 +0000

SSK Limited – 1995 – 1997
My first “real” job outside of academia was as the Multimedia Project Leader at Glasgow based SSK Limited. I still remember loading my car with all the gear that made my multimedia touch screen system operate, carting it all into SSK’s Bell Street Office, and presenting this exciting new technology to the management team. SSK was a great company, with a long history in creating corporate presentations using old school technology based around 35mm projectors. I like to think they saw the future as they hired me on the basis of that meeting.

The article below was a short piece in a magazine called Software Echo which was popular in Scotland at the time.

SSK goes Multimedia

We should be on the internet…

admin — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 15:08:32 +0000

Around about early 1996 I was in a taxi with SSK boss Roland Kennedy and clearly remember a conversation where I said that SSK were known as a great corporate communications company. I then said something like, “.. and the Internet is a great medium for corporate communications so we should be doing it”. He must have agreed as I spent the next 12 months running 2 hour presentations for SSK customers on what the Internet offered for business communication and marketing. The presentations went down well but weren’t exactly a commercial success. Too much too soon?

Here’s the web site I created for SSK around that time. I’m quite proud of how this looks 15 years on! Yes. That is a very early version of Netscape. The site was partly hand-coded and partly authored in a primitive HTML editor. We invested in a 64k leased line and a single DEC Alpha Server. Pioneering for the day!

Touch the Screen…

admin — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 15:07:54 +0000

Just about the only commerical project SSK’s Multimedia Division [me] delivered. This was a touch screen kiosk used by Glasgow Development Agency to promote a few of the projects undertaken by the Agency. The project was a collaboration between SSK Limited and Black Graphic Design. The article was published in November 1985. The picture shows me, Gordon Black, and Stephen Frear. I did work day and night to make sure this was delivered on time. It was created in IconAuthor. Shortly after this I turned my attention to the web. It was easier to carry!

The early Marcat Years

admin — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 15:06:34 +0000

Starting Marcat
It’s early 1997 and SSK’s multimedia/internet division is finding it tough to win business. I had the bright idea of suggesting to the boss that he makes me redundant and helps me start my own business under his roof. No sooner said than done, Marcat Multimedia was launched in a single room in 107 Bell Street. With the aid of a 2000 GBP grant from the East End Partnership I was my own boss. Maybe it was fate but the timing seemed to be just about perfect. Businesses were waking up to the web and demand was building. Marcat positioned itself as a “multimedia” company offering a mix of new media services, with web development being just one. Despite my best efforts to do it all single handed, the 16 hour days were taking their toll. My college friend, Alan “Cat” Linton joined 3 months in. The name Marcat was already in place as a result of an idea we had while still students. The work kept coming so before the year was out we made our first hire. It turned out to be a good one. Jonny Mac [John Macfarlane] was a talented and dedicated employee from day 1. These early pictures tell the story of the day. I liked to run a very neat and tidy office. I had to give up when we grew past about 15 people as I couldn’t tidy up after everyone!

Marcat Progression

admin — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 15:05:50 +0000

One of Scotland’s leading Web Development Agencies
Taking full advantage of the growing demand for web development, Marcat prospered. At a time when web development was typically offered by IT specialists or graphic design agencies, Marcat’s focus business benefit won us many friends and long-term, loyal customers. Outgrowing our office in Year 2 we relocated to the newly opened Softnet Centre in Kirkintilloch. Continuing to grow over the next year we reached a staff of around 16, accommodated by knocking a wall through to extend the office. We were starting to win largeer contracts with prestigious clients – it was hard work, but rewarding. The company was one of Scotland’s fastest growing IT companies and had nominations for the Fast 50 awards on three occasions. In 2000, I was a runner up in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.