Mike Halsey

Mike Halsey (born March 27, 1970 in Camberley, Surrey) educated at Frogmore Community College and Sheffield Hallam University is a technology author and blogger. He regularly writes articles on the websites Everything-Microsoft.com and Ghacks about current and forthcoming Microsoft products including Microsoft Windows, Windows Phone and Microsoft Office. He has also worked as a web designer and a club singer.

Biography
Mike Halsey came to ICT through the home computer revolution when he was 11 and his parents bought him a Sinclair ZX81 and the year later a ZX Spectrum. His resultant love for computers also included the Apple II, early IBM Personal Computers and Sinclair QL. He later moved to Psion's handheld devices such as the Organiser II, Series 3 and Series 5 before finally coming to the modern PC revolution in 1999.

Before working in IT he has had a variety of occupations including working as a deck hand on Brighton Pier, a job he said he loved, and a short period working as an architectural and portrait photographer during which time he had two small photographic exhibitions in Brighton, UK.

Mike spent three years in his mid-20's touring the UK as a club singer and then worked in website and print design when he lived in Brighton. Throughout these early years Mike also provided IT support services to small businesses and individuals in their homes.

Eventually the call to a full time job in ICT beckoned and Mike moved to a position with Siemens providing second and third-line technical support to blue-chip clients and major multinationals.

In addition to his work as an author for Microsoft Press and a technology blogger, Mike now also works as a teacher of English and Maths adult basic-skills.

Writing
Mike began writing for technology blogs in May 2009 starting for Windows7News.com, he later took on writing jobs for ConnectedInternet.co.uk, Windows8News.com and Ghacks.

He self-published his Windows 7 Power Users Guide at the end of August 2009. His first book for Microsoft Press, Troubleshooting Windows 7 Inside Out was released in October 2010 and Mike is continuing to work on projects for Microsoft Press.

In mid-2011, Mike was signed by US publisher Fair Trade Digital Exchange (FTDX) to write a series of short eBooks for businesses and consumers. His first was "Need to Know Office 365 Security for Small Businesses".

MVP Award
In January 2011 Mike was awarded a Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) title in the Windows Expert (Consumer) category. He was re-awarded in 2012.

List of works

 * The Windows 7 Power Users Guide released September 2009
 * Troubleshooting Windows 7 Inside Out (Microsoft Press) released October 2010
 * Need2Know: Office 365 Security Essentials (Fair Trade DX) released November 2011
 * Windows 8: Out of the Box (O'Reilly) released October 2012
 * The Windows 8 Power Users Guide (Apress) released October 2012
 * Troubleshoot and Optimize WIndows 8 Inside Out (Microsoft Press) released October 2012