THE BLOG
Builds, web, business and real life.
What I'm building, what I've learned in 28 years of running websites and businesses, and the odd story from life in between.
PlantSense: Why We Scaled It Back, Locked It Down and Kept Going
We built almost 30 PlantSense monitors and walked away with 12 to 15 that worked. How bought-in probes let us down, why we locked PlantSense down rather than lower our standards, and what we're building next.
The Ultimate Children’s Party Guide
Themes, invitations, food, games and the bits nobody warns you about. Everything we've learned from throwing kids' parties, in one practical guide.
Item in a Box Locator: WS2812B, ESP32 and ESP8266 Fun Project
Type what you're looking for and the right shelf lights up. A fun build with WS2812B LEDs, an ESP32 and an ESP8266, and how it all works.
How I took on the biggest Vehicle Finance Company in Europe… And Won!
How I rejected a faulty Ford Transit Custom and took on VWFS, CarMoney and the dealer. A long fight, and how I won it.
Dating As You’re About To Hit 50: Real Life Experience, and I Am OUT!
Dating as you close in on 50 is messy, funny and sometimes brutal. My honest take on the apps, the dates and why I've decided I'm out.
Why PlantSense Is No Longer an Infinite Lives Group Product, and Why That Makes It Better!
PlantSense started life here at Infinite Lives. Why it moved on to a new home in July, and why that gives it a better chance of becoming a real product.
Why we never played Moltons Farm, Just yet….
A six-year-old asked for a farm, so we built one: the brand, the shop, the jars and real food grown in Weston-super-Mare. The story of Moltons Farm, and what comes next.
What ChatGPT Says My ADHD Self Is Doing Tomorrow
ChatGPT has helped me with websites, servers, caravans and far too many ideas. So I asked it to predict my tomorrow. It was uncomfortably accurate.
Your Website Is Only as Strong as the Logo at the Top of It
You can build the fastest website on the internet, but an amateur logo undoes it in a second. Why your logo matters more than you think.
NZB Grab Brings a Modern Usenet Download Workflow to 2026
NZB Grab brings Usenet downloading up to date, with NZB support, automatic PAR2 repair and unpacking, all from one clean, modern interface.
Why This Time It’s Different
The weight was never really the problem. An honest look at stress, pressure and life, and why this time I'm finally doing something about it.
Using Ring Cameras at Businesses and Why CCTV Signage Matters
Using a Ring camera at your business? What UK law expects from you, why CCTV signs matter, and how to stay on the right side of data protection.
Going Strong Whilst My Life Was Falling Apart: ADHD in Overdrive
Divorce, money worries, ADHD in overdrive and a lot of bad decisions. A raw, first-person story about keeping a business going while life fell apart.
Why CCTV Drain Inspections Are Better Than CCTV Surveys for Fault Finding
Fault finding in drains? Why a targeted CCTV drain inspection usually beats a full CCTV survey, saving time, money and a lot of guesswork.
Why I’m Choosing to Downsize From a Six-Bedroom Home to a Two-Bedroom Bungalow
From a six-bedroom family home to a two-bedroom bungalow. Why I chose to downsize, and what I expect to gain by owning less.
Pokémon GO for Parents: A Beginner’s Guide to Playing with Your Child
New to Pokémon GO and playing with your child? The basics in plain English: catching, evolving, managing your bag and making it fun for both of you.
Piratix: A Parent’s-eye Voyage of Figures and YouTube Series
Pirate figures, playsets and a YouTube series. A parent's eye view of Piratix and what kids get out of it.
Bedwetting at Age 6: Why It’s Normal and What You Can Do
Bedwetting at six is far more common than most parents realise. Why it happens, when it's normal and the practical things that genuinely help.
My Son’s Kindness Made Him a Target at Butlins
My son's kindness made him a target on a family break at Butlins. What happened, how it felt as a dad, and what I've learned about protecting kind kids.
Blogging: It’s Not Just Writing Content
Writing the article is the easy bit. Video editing, images, SEO and promotion: what really goes into running a blog properly.
Adapting to the evolving landscape of online adult content
Tastes and technology are changing the adult content industry fast. A look at personalisation, new platforms and where it's all heading.
Why We Made the 100% Free QR Code Generator
We went looking for a simple QR code generator and found sign-ups, watermarks and expiring codes. So we built our own, and made it free for everyone.
Why I Decided Not to Launch Pay Hippo
I was ready to launch Pay Hippo as a high-risk payment processor. After the rebrand and all the groundwork, here's why I decided not to.
Ever Since the Jabs, I’ve Never Felt Right
I was never the one who got ill. Since the COVID jabs, I haven't felt right. My personal experience, and why I think it needs talking about.
Why Blocking Disposable Email Addresses is Essential for Your Site
Fake sign-ups, spam and ghost accounts skew your data and waste your time. Why blocking disposable email addresses is worth doing, and how.
The Hemp Scammers Are Back: Go North Hemp Scamming
After losing £2,500 to fake Arete Hemp scammers, they're back, this time pretending to be Go North Hemp. How to spot them before they get you.
Clearing the Clutter: A Journey to Balance
After more than 30 years in business, I'm clearing the clutter: selling assets, refining focus and making room for what matters.
Why Does “PLAYTIME” Appear on My Bank Statement? Who is Infinite Lives?
Seen PLAYTIME or Infinite Lives on your bank statement or PayPal account? Here's who we are and what the charge is likely to be for.
Sticker Maker Version 2.8: Bigger, Faster, and Now with Circles!
Sticker Maker 2.8 is bigger, faster and can now cut circles. What's new, and why it saves so much paper and time.
Revo Uninstaller Free: Your Go-To Tool for Removing Stubborn Software
Some programs just won't uninstall. How Revo Uninstaller Free removes stubborn software and the leftovers Windows leaves behind.
Beware of This Facebook Marketplace Scam Targeting Car Sellers
Selling a car on Facebook Marketplace? Watch out for this scam. How fake buyers operate and the warning signs to look for.
The Item Box for eBay UK Plugin for WordPress: Your Ultimate Solution for Displaying eBay.co.uk Listings
Show eBay.co.uk listings on your WordPress site, beautifully. Why we built the Item Box plugin and what it does for UK sellers.
Our Honeymoon Disaster: A £6,000 Nightmare on the TUI Marella Explorer Greek Island & Adriatic Cruise
A £6,000 honeymoon on the TUI Marella Explorer turned into a nightmare. What went wrong, how we were treated and what we'd tell anyone booking.
Beware of Boundless Leads: A Look at SEO Scams
Boundless Leads promised high-quality SEO backlinks. What we actually got, and how to spot SEO services that won't deliver.
Growing Hydroponic Salad Bowl Lettuce: A Complete Guide
Grow crisp salad bowl lettuce all year round. A complete hydroponic guide: nutrients, lighting, temperature and harvest times.
Growing a Pomegranate Tree in a Grow Tent
Yes, you can grow a pomegranate tree indoors. Our first year growing one in a grow tent, from lighting schedules to feeding.
A Journey into Hydroponics: My Experience with Green Spirit Horticulture
How Green Spirit Horticulture helped me get to grips with hydroponics, and why the right supplier makes all the difference.
Why I Created Version 2.4 of the Sticker Maker (And Why You’re Going to Love It!)
Sticker Maker 2.4 makes designing and printing stickers faster and more flexible. What's new, and why I think you'll love it.
Scammed by Fake Arete Hemp: A Heartfelt Warning to CBD Companies
A CBD business owner's warning: how I lost £2,500 to fraudsters posing as Arete Hemp, and the signs I wish I'd spotted sooner.
ADHD and Late-Night Creativity. Finding The Balance
ADHD, late-night ideas and several businesses at once. How I try to balance creativity with work, family and sleep.
How to Ensure Your WordPress Featured Images Fit Perfectly Within Their Container
Featured images that stretch, crop or misbehave? A simple CSS fix to make WordPress images fit their containers perfectly.
Why Getting 100% (or Close) on All-in-One SEO Audit Checklist is Crucial for Search Engine Success
Why getting 100%, or close, on an SEO audit checklist matters, and the fixes that make the biggest difference to your rankings.
Why I Built the Sticker Page Maker: A Game-Changer!
I needed 65mm stickers for 75mm tins and nothing made it easy. So I built the Sticker Page Maker, and now anyone can use it free.
Why I Stay Up Until 2 AM Writing Blogs That No One Reads
After a long day of parenting and work, I sit down and write. Why late-night blogging keeps me sane, even when hardly anyone reads it.
How to Recover Your Google Business Profile After a Suspension for “Google Account Not in Good Standing”
Google suspended your Business Profile for "account not in good standing"? The usual causes, and the steps that get it back.
Embracing the Beauty in Life: Finding Joy in the Small Moments
Life can feel like one long to-do list. A gentle reminder to notice the small moments that make it worth it.
Why You Should Have a VPN
Hackers, trackers and dodgy public Wi-Fi. Why a VPN is one of the simplest ways to protect your privacy online, and what to look for in one.
Step by Step Guide to Setting up Ubuntu Server on your OVH Server
Just set up Ubuntu Server 22.04 on an OVH server? A step-by-step guide to updates, users, security and getting your apps running.
Our “Unforgettable” Trip To Legoland Windsor
Over 55 rides, a themed hotel and a promise of the ultimate family day out. Our honest review of a Legoland Windsor trip that didn't go to plan.
Level Up Your Home Entertainment with a Games Room: The Ultimate Gaming Haven
Turn a spare corner into a proper games room. How to mix retro arcade magic with modern gaming for the ultimate home setup.
Review of Spuddos Crisp Bundle (1kg Tub)
A 1kg tub of mixed crisps for a party. Which Spuddos flavours were a hit, which missed the mark, and whether it's worth buying.
Reviving Nostalgia: Why Retro Games Are Making A Comeback
Retro gaming is booming again, with a whole new generation discovering classic consoles. Why old games feel more relevant than ever.
Cabinet Customisation: Personalising Your Arcade Cabinet Setup
Controls, lighting, artwork and marquees. How to make an arcade cabinet truly your own, from planning to finishing touches.
Revolutionise Your Gaming Experience with Hyperspin: The Ultimate Frontend Solution
Got a huge game collection? How Hyperspin turns it into a slick, arcade-style menu that makes browsing your games half the fun.
Reviving Retro Gaming with CoinOps: Exploring the Ultimate Arcade Experience
The clink of coins and the rush of a high score. How CoinOps brings the golden age of arcades back to your living room.
Pokémon Red and Blue: Catching ‘Em All Since 1996
Released in Japan in 1996, Pokémon Red and Blue started a global craze. How the first Pokémon games changed gaming for good.
Mortal Kombat: The Controversial Brawler That Changed the Game
Blood, fatalities and a storm of controversy. How Mortal Kombat became one of the most influential fighting games ever made.
Pitfall!: Exploring the Pioneering Platformer That Started It All
Launched on the Atari 2600 in 1982, Pitfall! helped invent the platform game. A look back at a true pioneer.
Step Back in Time: Exploring the Nostalgic Charm of Retro Culture
From fashion and music to games and home design, retro is everywhere. Why looking back feels so good right now.
Pong Video Game History: The Game That Launched an Industry
Before stunning graphics and huge storylines, there was Pong. The simple game that launched a whole industry.
Total Bounce Bouncy Castle Hire in Weston-super-Mare: The Ultimate Party Solution
Bouncy castles and inflatables for parties and events in Weston-super-Mare. Why Total Bounce makes kids' parties easy and safe.
Streamline Your Game Development with Photon Game Manager 2
Building a multiplayer game? How Photon Game Manager 2 takes the pain out of matchmaking, rooms and cross-platform play.