Paul Vigay
Encyclopedia
Paul Vigay was a British computer
consultant
, notable for work in developing and supporting RISC OS
software and named as a leading expert on UFOs and crop circle
s.
. He attended the Horndean School in Waterlooville, passing 10 O-levels. His use of BBC B
computers while there led to a life-long interest in computing. He edited the Acorn
section of the Micronet800
on-line magazine in the late 1980s, and continued to support RISC OS
users after Micronet800 was withdrawn. He worked for Argonet ISP from 1995 until 2005 when he opened Orpheus Internet to serve Argonet's previous customers and continue support for RISC OS users. According to BBC News
, Vigay had a long interest in UFOs, hauntings and the occult
and first became involved with Crop Circles
in 1990 while developing equipment to detect electric current flow behind walls and floors. He contributed research for the 2002 film, Signs
.
.
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
consultant
Consultant
A consultant is a professional who provides professional or expert advice in a particular area such as management, accountancy, the environment, entertainment, technology, law , human resources, marketing, emergency management, food production, medicine, finance, life management, economics, public...
, notable for work in developing and supporting RISC OS
RISC OS
RISC OS is a computer operating system originally developed by Acorn Computers Ltd in Cambridge, England for their range of desktop computers, based on their own ARM architecture. First released in 1987, under the name Arthur, the subsequent iteration was renamed as in 1988...
software and named as a leading expert on UFOs and crop circle
Crop circle
A crop circle is a sizable pattern created by the flattening of a crop such as wheat, barley, rye, maize, or rapeseed. Crop circles are also referred to as crop formations, because they are not always circular in shape. While the exact date crop circles began to appear is unknown, the documented...
s.
Biography
Vigay was born on 24 October 1964 in CroydonCroydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
. He attended the Horndean School in Waterlooville, passing 10 O-levels. His use of BBC B
BBC Micro
The BBC Microcomputer System, or BBC Micro, was a series of microcomputers and associated peripherals designed and built by Acorn Computers for the BBC Computer Literacy Project, operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation...
computers while there led to a life-long interest in computing. He edited the Acorn
Acorn Computers
Acorn Computers Ltd. was a British computer company established in Cambridge, England, in 1978. The company produced a number of computers which were especially popular in the UK. These included the Acorn Electron, the BBC Micro, and the Acorn Archimedes...
section of the Micronet800
Micronet800
Micronet 800 was an information provider on Prestel, aimed at the 1980s personal computer market. It was an online magazine that gave subscribers computer related news, reviews, general subject articles and downloadable telesoftware....
on-line magazine in the late 1980s, and continued to support RISC OS
RISC OS
RISC OS is a computer operating system originally developed by Acorn Computers Ltd in Cambridge, England for their range of desktop computers, based on their own ARM architecture. First released in 1987, under the name Arthur, the subsequent iteration was renamed as in 1988...
users after Micronet800 was withdrawn. He worked for Argonet ISP from 1995 until 2005 when he opened Orpheus Internet to serve Argonet's previous customers and continue support for RISC OS users. According to BBC News
BBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
, Vigay had a long interest in UFOs, hauntings and the occult
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
and first became involved with Crop Circles
Crop circle
A crop circle is a sizable pattern created by the flattening of a crop such as wheat, barley, rye, maize, or rapeseed. Crop circles are also referred to as crop formations, because they are not always circular in shape. While the exact date crop circles began to appear is unknown, the documented...
in 1990 while developing equipment to detect electric current flow behind walls and floors. He contributed research for the 2002 film, Signs
Signs (film)
Signs is a 2002 American science fiction horror film directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It was adapted from a screenplay also written by Shyamalan. Executive producers for the film comprised Shyamalan, Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy and Sam Mercer. The story focuses on a former preacher named Graham...
.
Death
Vigay's body was found off Portsmouth beach on 20 February 2009 after being reported missing the previous evening. Police said that despite an inquest, it remained unclear whether Vigay committed suicide or died accidentally. According to a hearing at Portsmouth Coroners Court, Vigay had split up with girlfriend Andrea Smith on the night of his death. Noting that no suicide note was found after the drowning, a British newspaper The Telegraph reported that a coroner termed his death a "mystery". Smith reportedly did find a short note from Vigay after his departure from their home. The note said "I love you," and included Vigay's phone code and computer passwords. He was buried at The South Downs Natural Burial Site near PetersfieldPetersfield
Petersfield can refer to any of the following places:*Petersfield, Hampshire, a market town in England*Petersfield, Jamaica, a small town in the parish of Westmoreland*Petersfield, Manitoba, in Canada*Petersfield, an area of Cambridge, England...
.
External links
- Vigay.com
- Crop circle Research:Personal profile by Paul Vigay
- Paul's Domain: 101 things you probably didn't know (or want to know) about me
- RISCOS.org Website run by Vigay.
- NHNE Crop Circle: Paul Vigay interview, interview from June 1998
- Paul Vigay Book of Condolence