The Author

After studying mathematics for eight years, first at King's College, Cambridge and then at Leeds University where he gained a PhD in algebra, Steven Vickers turned to computer programming and played a large part in developing the Sinclair ZX81 and ZX Spectrum.

In 1980 he read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and, realising that its high content of factual errors made it unreliable for practical use, decided to rewrite it. The result was what is by now probably the best-selling computer manual ever, for the ZX81. He also wrote the manual for the ZX Spectrum.

In 1982 he and Richard Altwasser set up Jupiter Cantab Ltd and designed the Jupiter Ace.