’Ring Ring’

Me: “hello, Steve speaking”

Caller: “Can I speak to Mr completely garbled version of my surname”

Me: “Yep, speaking” - followed by a sigh, I know what’s coming ...

Caller: “Before we continue, for security, I need your Date of Birth ...”

Come on. This is complete bullshit. Somebody *rings me* and they need *me* to give *them* personal information about myself before they will speak to me ?

Never, Ever, Ever, Ever accept this. Tell the caller to go away and not call back. If you are feeling generous explain that you don’t give personal information out over the telephone to persons unknown.

Explain to them that their security policies suck like a Dyson and that their organisation should look at removing it’s CTO/CSO/CIO or whoever has bluffed their way into the job of being in charge of security whilst either having none to little knowledge of security or no power whatsoever to ensure a workable and secure security policy is in place.

Explain to them that as far as you are concerned they could be the bloke from the petrol station who make a note of your credit card when you paid for petrol and he now intends to commit fraud in your name by gathering additional personal information about you. Identity theft is *very* common.

If we all refuse to talk to these people then maybe, just maybe they will look at the situation again and come up with a better way of treating their customers. These people should know better, they are usually banks and financial institutions ... these people have control of our money ! It’s probably safer under the mattress.

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Tags: Financial Instiutions, Unforgiveable Stupidity, Security

I started my ‘downsizing and de-cluttering’ mission over a year ago, made a good start then got distracted and never continued.

Following my recent accident, and my lack of mobility, I have looked at this again and it now makes more sense than ever.

One area in which I have been making changes in in my music equipment. I have got rid of a Marshall Stack:



and replaced it with a Line 6 POD:

I am getting rid of two other large amplifiers and replacing them with ... the new Marshall Class 5. A small, all valve, Made In England, guitar amplifier.

This is not just a case of wanting some new kit, it is part of an ongoing mission to de-clutter, downsize and simplify my life.

If you need any help de-cluttering or organising your life and are not sure where to start, my friend Izi Dixon over at Well Organised (http://www.wellorganised.org/) will be able to help you.

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Tags: Downsizing, Decluttering, Guitar, Marshall

Coals 2 Newcastle recently wrote this review of R10Cipher. It’s a fantastic review.

You can access the full review here:

http://blog.coals2newcastle.com/2010/02/review-r10cipher.html

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Tags: R10Cipher, REview, Software News

I recently found this bike. Apparently it’s a Honda VTX Concept bike. OMG it’s fantastic. I LOVE this bike ....





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Tags: Honda, VTX, Concept

If my leg ever heals to the extent that I can again ride a motorcycle, I have a second hill to climb. Convincing my wife that I should ride again.

At the moment she is dead against the idea, but I’m hoping she will mellow with time. Given that I have been very dependent on her over the last few months, for sometimes quite basic things, I have to listen to and appreciate her point of view.

Maybe if I buy another Harley, a bike with a reputation for slow and steady cruising, she may be more amenable to the idea.

My last Harley was a Night Rod Special which was not a typical Harley (it was liquid cooled and fast, see picture above) but next time maybe I should try something like this:

This is a Harley Davidson Fatbob, a newish design from (I think) 2007. I think it looks great.

I did say I wouldn’t get another Harley given that you need to spend as much time cleaning them as you do riding, otherwise they soon show their aversion to UK weather ... Anyway I’ll wait and see which way the land lies if (when) my leg heals properly

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Tags: Harley Night Rod Special, Harley Fatbob, Accident, Crash

MonitorMyMac our software that produces Timed Screenshots and Webcam Images with FTP Upload, is now available Free of Charge for Parents. The official Press Release can be seen here: http://bit.ly/c66d2I

MonitorMyMac takes timed snapshots of the computer Screen(s) and / or takes snapshots from the connected Webcam. These images are stored locally, or remotely, and are also optionally uploaded to your FTP server or MobileMe Account meaning they can they be accessed from anywhere via Webpage Bookmarks.

You can view the Computer / Webcam from Your iPhone, Netbook, Computer or any Web Enabled Device.

The reason I have done this is simple. If just one child is saved from abuse using technology I have developed then that’s fantastic. Making it free means that any parent who’s child has an Apple Computer can obtain the software quickly, easily and without cost. Introducing this extra element of security and safety may make all the difference.



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Tags: MonitorMyMac, Protect, Online, Children

This posting was prompted by a reply I made to a blog post recently. Besides, everybody else has published an opinion on the iPad and I don’t want to be left out


Photo Copyright Apple Computer Inc

The iPad is not a techie toy. There, I said it.

However I know 8 or 9 relatives or friends for whom it will be an excellent piece of kit, I believe the real magic happens when the developers get hold of it.

The young, the disabled, the keyboard shy, the ‘not interested in computers I just wanna browse Ebay’ and the learning challenged will all benefit from the simplicity and UI of this device. It won’t replace my iPhone or my Sony eBook Reader or my 17” MacBook, but I have some ideas that I think are crying out for a device such as the iPad.

There are omissions and limitations but nowadays release early is expected and necessary if you want to start ahead of the game.

Besides, the gauntlet has been thrown, let’s see what Google and Microsoft can do. If they can do better then I’ll buy theirs instead.

Looking forward to seeing how this pans out

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Tags: IPad

The Arten Science Update and Information application is now available for free download in the iTunes store.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/r10/id352832289?mt=8

Available for the iPhone R10 is an application which gives you the latest news from Arten Science by giving you access to the both the Arten Science Blog as well as my Personal Blog (this one) for those who are interested in the person behind the company.



See the screenshots below:





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Tags: IPhone, R10 , R10 iPhone Application, Software News