Inspiration: Real life, from years of working in I.T., and from being a geek myself since as long as I could remember. The first (user-programmable) computer I ever used was a Hewlett-Packard 2000 mini, with thermal-paper printouts. I continue to be inspired by geeks I hang around with, absorbing tech industry and science news, and the occasional visit to tech companies who oddly enough invite me out to observe their staff for ideas.
