There are times when we have to improvise to get what we want... this was one of those times... After searching in vain for my old mount (mat) cutters. I decided that it was time that i upgraded and so went online to purchase a new system. I was shocked by how much the equivelent was going to cost me. I always buy full size mat boards since they are much more economical and so needed the same size system i had used before to take the full size sheets. The closest i could find to what i had used before was the framers edge (650) system by Logan... But... at an average price of ?400-?600, i decided that it was time for another trip down to B&Q... Basically i built this to the similar spec of the Framers Edge... ok... it doesnt have the fixed cutter or the shiny 'Logan' slogan slapped all over it... but... it works just as well... is just as accurate (and im talking totally spot on for measurements and square-ness!) and i am now one happy little bunny. Oh and the cost?? well, i got enough change from ?20 to go grab myself a snack box of sushi... go do the math!!! Now all i want is a decent underpinner to create my own frames... Granted you can pick up cheap frames these days for next to nothing... But there is so much more satisfaction when you hang a pic and its totally your own work from start to finish... Im sure most of you would agree! :)

How much is it acceptable to reveal about yourself online? Or others, as some photos in this series may be? I saw in a brilliantly executed piece in Wired Magazine on this topic recently. On the front copy of their magazine, they sent to a select number on their subscribers list a personalised introduction to the magazine. It read [loosely] something along the lines of: "Hi Steve, I hope this magazine reaches you well. How was your holiday in Tahiti? I hear it was 24 degrees? I hope that Suzy recovers from the sunburn. Is your phone number still 07891 998 243? Are you still living in Sutton, Birmingham? If so we can send you more information about that car that you said you liked......etc etc". As a researcher and someone in wider umbrella of the marketing services, I admired the execution of this stunt. I really liked how it got the point across so effectively, raising awareness about privacy and the amount information that is out there, so much of which is user generated. Scary at times, but essentially the doubled edge side of the sword of our networked online lives.