Simon Batt-News and Features Reporter

Simon Batt

News and Features Reporter

Contributor Since November, 2023
Qualifications Computer Science BSc
Expertise
Windows, Raspberry Pi, 3d printing
  • 2073
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About Simon Batt

Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech.

Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he has been working with it and its sister website, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity topics.

What was your first computer?

The first computer I ever used was an ACORN, which my dad owned. We spent a lot of hours playing video games on it using a cassette tape player to load the data. I finally got a Windows 3.1 machine that I had at the end of my bed, which I experimented with, played games on, and found my love for tech.

How long have you been interested in technology?

Ever since I was a kid, I've always been glued to some kind of electronic device, whether it was a PC or a Gameboy. I eventually rose to the auspicious rank of "family tech support" and found my love for explaining all things tech .

What tech products or categories are you most passionate about?

Given that I started with Windows, I've always loved to see how the operating system develops over time. Microsoft has made some excellent and some strange moves over its lifetime, so you'll often find me reporting on all the things the Redmond tech giant does.

A lifestyle image of the Raspberry Pi 5

You can now use an external graphics card with Raspberry Pi 5

The Raspberry Pi cat TV

You can now make a Raspberry Pi TV for your cat

Latest

Microsoft-paint-feature-image
Microsoft Paint's new update can turn your doodles into masterpieces
Windows

Make Paint do the painting for you.

By 
A collage of the most wishlisted games on Steam
This cool retro game with 82% positive reviews is free on Steam for a limited time
Steam

Nothing beats free.

By 
Steam logo with games in the background
This legendary sci-fi trilogy is just $4.79 for the whole series on Steam, its lowest price ever
Gaming

This is my favorite deal on the Steam store.

By 
The Steam logo with the home page in the background
Steam's new upcoming games calendar will tell you which days will make your wallet cry the most
Steam

At least they have the courtesy to say when it'll happen.

By 
Close-up on the RGB lights on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally thumbsticks.
A YouTuber claims the ROG Xbox Ally works better without Windows, but they didn't use SteamOS either
Gaming Handhelds

Stop me if you've heard this one.

3
By 
LibreOffice on a monitor
Microsoft is getting rid of an Office service I didn't even know existed until now
Microsoft Office

I would say "thanks for the memories," but...

By 
Framework laptop running Arch Linux
I tried Arch Linux as an ex-Windows fanboy
Arch Linux

Exploring the wild unknown, one pacman command at a time.

By 
5 things Valve needs to fix with Steam on Linux - featured-1
This beloved game series with 97% positive reviews is just $5 for the lot on Steam right now
Gaming

Just in time for Halloween.

By 
A Windows 11 laptop running Raycast and showing available extensions
Microsoft quickly pushes out a fix for a nasty Windows 11 bug, and you should grab it ASAP
Windows 11: Everything you need to know

A rare out-of-band patch for a nasty flaw.

By 
hp elitebook ultra laptop
Microsoft has somehow found yet another way to get you to use Copilot
Software and Services

It's getting a little bit jealous of other services.

2
By 
A Steam Deck with games in the Background and red frames on the bottom corners
Saving money on the games you love on Steam just got a lot easier
Steam

Bundle up.

1
By 
A collage of the most wishlisted games on Steam
This open-world game, where you ski, board, and glide through the Alps, is just $4.49 on Steam for a limited time
Gaming

Keeping it cool.

By 
The Raspberry Pi receipt printer
You can now print messages on someone's receipt printer thanks to a Raspberry Pi
Single-Board Computers

Be nice.

2
By 
A WIndows 11 laptop running PowerToys showing the File Locksmith and PowerRename tools
The Windows Recovery Environment, specifically designed to fix broken things, has broken, and I don't think that should happen
Windows 11: Everything you need to know

Does anyone have a Windows Recovery Environment Recovery Environment on hand?

By 
A Windows desktop next to a Linux desktop
I used Linux exclusively for five months instead of Windows, and I was surprised by what I didn't miss
Linux

It turns out I wasn't as married to Windows as I thought.

21
By 
Steam logo with games in the background
This 2024 triple-A title with 92% positive reviews is 70% off on Steam right now
Gaming

Its DLC is on sale, too.

By 
The signed wafer
Nvidia has produced the first Blackwell wafer entirely on US soil
Nvidia

The start of an era?

1
By 
A Windows 11 laptop running the Xbox app showing various games available
Microsoft confirms that Windows 11 25H2 is now available for everyone to grab
Windows 11: Everything you need to know

Just make sure you're signed up to get it ASAP.

3
By 
A Windows 11 laptop running two Linux distros using Windows Subsystem for Linux
The newest PowerToys update is causing chaos among Windows 11 users
Microsoft PowerToys

It's not Windows' fault, for once.

1
By 
A laptop running Linux with KDE Plasma showing the app launcher and a Vivaldi window with the XDA home page
I discovered this one Linux feature and it makes Windows look embarrassing
Linux

The open-source community won my heart this time.

3
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