Back, way back, in the midst of computer time (1978) a man called Andrew Hopper was involved in the foundation of a company called Acorn Computers. This company created computers called the BBC Micro and the Acorn Archimedes (which was based on a RISC processor) - among others.

Today, well as being Professor of Computer Technology and Head of the Computer Laboratory at the University of Cambridge – Professor Hopper has just been made Commander of the British Empire – a CBE. All here at SPOnG say, “Bloody well done!” to one of the most innovative thinkers in European computing ever.

On the other hand, an older member of the SPOnG staff would also like to waggle a finger in anger at Prof Hopper CBE, but he can’t because he damaged it too badly playing Elite on the Beeb.