As you can see, this website is evolving. Meanwhile, more information is available on my linkedin entry. If you are looking for surfing lessons, then you need the other Nick Thorn (no e). I have surfed since age of 13 when surf “lessons” involved borrowing someone’s board and jumping in - so don’t ask me 
Based on my 18 years in the semiconductor business at Philips electronics and NXP Semiconductors, I am now able to offer several consultancy services:
- Embedded hardware and software project analysis, costings, feasibility study, management and design.
- Microelectronics project consultancy.
- Digital TV software consultancy.
- General video electronics consultancy.
- Database design and maintenance (PHP, MySQL, ASP, Access).
- Database driven website design.
- Website search engine optimization (to build lead generation and lead conversion).
- Business development; prospect identification, approach plan, approach and collaboration.
- Standards
More detail on my past projects will be added over time.
In summary, I am skilled in project scoping, prospect analysis, business development, project estimation and justification. Project management. Hands on implementation from design through to test, documentation and sales support. Everything from PICs to FPGA to full custom mixed signal ASIC to RTOS, Linux, WinCE, J2ME, UI design and evaluation, ARM, MIPs, GNU tools, configuration management and problem reporting etc etc. Software requirements analysis, specification, procurement, acceptance testing and licence specification, review and negotiation. Team building, team development and team driving.
A side effect of 18 years in Philips Electronics product design is that I am very good at fixing people’s computers, most commonly setting up wireless internet. Also I end up “tuning” home enetertainment systems - TV + PVR + Sky, as most people don’t have time to RTFM (and in my opinion they shouldn’t have to - but that’s another story).