From Static to Smart
How my passion for technology shaped Understand Tech—and why I’m here to help
In May, I faced a life-changing moment—a heart attack while camping with my family. In the weeks that followed, during recovery, I had something I hadn’t had in years: time to think deeply about what matters most. Technology wasn’t on that list initially. But neither was stepping away from it.
Instead, I realised something: my entire life has been shaped by technology—not in a dystopian way, but as a genuine source of curiosity, connection, and meaning. And if I’ve learned anything, it’s that technology isn’t the enemy. Misunderstanding it is.
My Tech Journey
The Black & White ‘Analogue’ Years
My earliest memory is of sitting in my bedroom, captivated by a black-and-white television—the flickering light, the crackling sound, a window into other worlds. Technology back then wasn’t complex; it was pure magic—a glowing box that brought the wider world into your home. I vividly remember listening to Top of the Pops on the radio, when they announced that next week it would be broadcast in stereo instead of mono. I was amazed, wondering how that could possibly work. That moment sparked something in me—the beginning of a lifelong curiosity to understand how everything functions.
Teenage Years
The Stack System & LANs
As a teenager, I became fascinated with my dad’s JVC stack system—separate components, tangled wires, countless buttons and dials, but most mesmerizing of all, the dancing lights of the graphic equalizer. It taught me how different parts work together as a system. Later came gaming PCs. I spent countless hours setting up LANs for my younger brother and me on our 486 machines, creating our own in-house online gaming experience. Through multiplayer gaming, I discovered that technology wasn’t just about consumption—it was about connection, creativity, and building something together.
Early Career
From Curiosity to Expertise
What began as simple curiosity grew into deep expertise. I spent countless hours on AOL dial-up and MSN Messenger, exploring the early days of online interaction. I was a Sega kid through and through—Alex Kidd on the Master System, Sonic on the Mega Drive—and I witnessed the birth of online multiplayer gaming. My Amiga 500 became my pride and joy, far surpassing the Amstrad CPC 464 with its slow-loading tapes and endless hours playing Chuckie Egg. I was there for it all, experiencing first hand how technology evolves at lightning speed, yet the human desire for connection and understanding moves even faster. That passion led me to specialize in digital forensics and cybercrime, where I learned not only how technology can be misused but also how to defend against it.
Now
Smart Homes, Smarter Questions
Today, I’m as obsessed as ever. Smart cameras, drones, AI, the latest consoles, audio tech—I keep learning because technology keeps changing. But I’ve also discovered something: most people aren’t afraid of technology. They’re afraid of not understanding it.
The Wake-Up Call
My health scare forced me to ask: “What am I actually contributing?” The answer was clear—I could help families feel less confused and more confident about the technology shaping their lives. Not by selling fear or pushing the latest gadget, but by translating what I’ve learned into plain English.
Why Understand Tech Exists
I created this website because I saw a gap. Parents want to understand their children’s digital lives but don’t know where to start. They read scary headlines about screen time but never see the nuance. They hear about AI and feel left behind. They want to set boundaries but don’t know how without creating conflict.
Everything on this site is free. Everything is based on my actual experience and knowledge, never paid reviews or sponsored content. My goal is simple: help UK families feel informed, confident, and ready to embrace technology together—not in fear, but with understanding.
What I Believe
What I’m Working On
As technology evolves—AI, augmented reality, new social platforms, emerging privacy risks—I’m committed to staying ahead and helping families understand it all. My heart attack was a reminder that time is finite. So I’m focused on what matters: creating guides that genuinely help, building a community of parents who support each other, and proving that tech education doesn’t have to be complicated.
Get In Touch
Have a question about tech? Want to suggest a topic? Disagree with something I’ve written?
I read and respond to every email.
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Thank you for being part of this journey. I’m here to help.
Last updated: December 2025 · Richard Saunders, Founder of Understand Tech