About/Contact

I love “hacking” style projects that involve building or modifying something, so I created this site to let me share some of my hard-earned experience. If you have a question, feel free to contact me at tony@geekhobbies.com. Check out my photo album at northrup.org. If you’re a Windows user, check out my technical website with Windows tips and help, vistaclues.com.

Here’s a few facts about me:

• I started programming when I was nine. This was before computers in the home were really common—my dad dragged a minicomputer and some ANSI C manuals out of the trash at his employer and brought it home.
• I wrote my first book, NT Network Plumbing, in 1997. I’ve written about 15 books since then, covering home automation (“Home Hacking Projects for Geeks” from O’Reilly) and Windows security, development, and administration (mostly for MS Press). I just finished up the Windows Vista Resource Kit.
• From 96-2004 I worked for BBN/Genuity/Level 3 (mergers, you know), the company that invented a lot of what we call the Internet, including routers. I was a Principal Engineer, the top technical position.
• In the year 2000, I won the Sexiest Geek Alive contest. I made two appearances on Good Morning America, People magazine did a full-page article on me, Boston magazine declared me one of Boston’s Most Eligible Bachelors and I was featured on the game show To Tell The Truth.
• I’ve written thousands of articles, long and short, covering both consumer and IT topics. I’ve written for many different publishers, but I write more for Microsoft websites than anyone else.
• I’ve created some pretty complicated how-to videos, like these three videos.
• I’m an obsessive wildlife and travel photographer, and I’ve sold thousands of images for stock use.

I live in Phillipston, Massachusetts with my wife, Erica, my cat, Sammy, and my dog, Sandi.