Peter first came across DEC computers whilst a student at Manchester University in the early 1980s, using a PDP-11 computer for coding and assembly language learning. His first job in IT was as a programmer for UCL, and his knowledge of PDP-11s meant he became involved in the Department of Physics and Astronomy’s high-profile experiments in collaboration with the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).
The University acquired a DEC VAX-11/750, an upgrade from the PDP-11s due to its enhanced processing power and advanced capabilities. This new system prompted Peter to expand his knowledge by learning VAX/VMS (Virtual Memory System) and led to his next job as a defence contractor, and then as a consultant managing VAX systems. He stopped working with DEC products in 2000.