> http://www.atariarchives.org/deli/cottage_computer_programmi...

Yep, that's me.

> If so, how do I end up end where you are, in regards to wilderness programming and whatnot?

Rather than try to duplicate my story, why not see how yours turns out? I bet it will be just as interesting.

> Do you have a book (of any sort)?

Only a free one about my around-the-world solo sail -- it includes lots of stories about my technological adventures:

http://arachnoid.com/sailbook/index.html

You can read it online or download a free Kindle file.