About Martin Barrett and martbarrett.co.uk

Martin Barrett’s experience of computing dates back to the 1980’s. Whilst studying Human Psychology and Ergonomics at Aston University, Martin became increasingly interested in how computer systems and computer software could be designed so as to be much easier to use.

​Martin was not alone in his interest. At that time personal computers were first being introduced by IBM, and in July 1980 IBM approached a recently formed company about a project code-named "Chess." That new company was called Microsoft.

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Bill Gates and Microsoft

The result of project “Chess” was the operating system for personal computers known as DOS, which prevailed for several years. However, it was not intuitive and relied upon typing in cryptic commands to operate the computer. 

There had to be a better way….

A few years later Windows was released, providing a more graphical and intuitive interface to computer users. The rest, as they say, is history.

A young Bill Gates (on the right)

The box for Windows v1

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Alan Sugar and the Amstrad revolution

After graduating from Aston University in 1985, Martin combined his knowledge of psychology, ergonomics and computer systems and founded a business called "Simple Systems". The focus was on writing easy to use computer software for the thousands of small businesses who were grappling with computers for the first time.

At the same time Martin became a dealer for Sir Alan Sugar's Amstrad, whose introduction of easy to use personal computers costing a quarter of the typical IBM machine, brought computing to the masses by forcing down the cost of computing.

The Amstrad PCW

​For several years Martin’s businesses "Simple Systems" and "All Systems Go!" developed a range of easy-to-use software for small businesses, local authorities and the judiciary throughout the UK.

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European funded computer training

In the 1990's Martin turned solo to focus on computer training, and during that period designed and delivered the teaching for two European funded computer training projects for adults in Warwickshire.
  
At the same time Martin wrote and published numerous training guides for schools, colleges and other training centres to support introductory IT qualifications.

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Websites for small businesses

Martin, now based in Herefordshire, currently applies his extensive experience to creating websites for small businesses and organisations around the UK, applying the same business principles that have served him well for many years.

That is, keep things simple, listen carefully to what people really want, innovate, offer unbeatable value for money and back it up with first-class customer support and sound business ethics.