The Core director scoffs at Twitter but always make time for cricket score updates
What is your favourite website?
I love a good shoe so Tim Little’s site is great - especially as his shop is at the far end of King’s Road, so not easy to visit. Now that bands and comedians all have their own sites it is great for buying tickets for shows. I bought some tickets for Tim Vine the other day - if only there was no booking fee!
What is your worst digital habit?
Sitting in meetings but secretly looking at my e-mails. It is an addiction!
iPhone/Blackberry/Android. Which side are you on?
I have an iPhone, but I preferred the Blackberry I had for e-mails and attachments - it was just no good for the web. Anyway, I’m sticking with the iPhone as both my wife and daughter have them so now I can find a charger with the correct connection.
Are you into social networking?
I am cautious of industry people who want me to join them in a network where it can just lead to pressure selling. However, if someone like Brian out of Family Guy contacted me I would definitely change my mind …
Are you on Twitter? If so, who do you recommend to follow?
No, I have a life! I can see how it works for celebs though - to be able to communicate directly with fans on emerging issues, but I personally prefer in-depth reporting and analysis.
What is your favourite app?
By a long way, the English Cricket Board app. You get up-to-date scores of all cricket matches, statistics and scorecards - what’s not to like?
What is your preferred means of communication?
Face to face is best at being sure that things are agreed without misunderstanding. Also, if all else fails you can be sarcastic. But communication in the construction industry is now by electronic means. With so many international companies wanting to participate in the London market email makes communication possible in a way “snail mail” never could.
What did you last buy online?
The delights of the net means you can find and buy out-of-print books. Recently I was reminded of Ian Nairn (Google him, as there are examples of his programmes), who was an architectural critic in the sixties and seventies, and so I have just bought a second-hand copy of his out-of-print book Nairn’s London. He produced TV programmes talking direct to camera and was the first person to make me aware of post-War architecture, especially brutalism. His book on London, written in 1966, is a joy as he writes about the city at a time before substantial post-War redevelopment took place, so describes quite a different skyline.
PC or Mac?
A PC at work, but we use an iPad at home and I don’t think I would ever go on holiday without it as it is so useful - you can access so much.
Guilty pleasures?
My iPod is stuck on alphabetical rather than shuffle, so I am drawn to listening to all my music by title. So the song I listen to most is Across the Borderline by Ry Cooder with Freddie Fender on vocals - absolute class!
Julian Vickery is a director at Core
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