Hacker ...
A person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users, who prefer to learn only the minimum necessary. - Jargon File
“The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.” - Arnold Toynbee
I have been designing and developing computer software solutions for over 20 years. I am a Chartered IT Professional awarded by the British Computer Society and a Fellow of the Institution of Analysts and Programmers.
Currently I run my own Software Development and Computer Consultancy company. In addition I also run Arten Books which provides new and used discount books through the Amazon Marketplace.
I am a Motorcycle fan, an avid reader of sci-fi, fantasy, history, thrillers and technical books, a guitar player, a traveller and a father.
In addition I have a special interest in ancient cultures, their technologies and beliefs, such as the Egyptians, the Aztecs, the Greeks and the Romans.
In September 2009 one of my products R10Cipher: Email, Text and File Security, was shortlisted as a Finalist for the 2009 Information Security Product of the Year award.
Contact Details:
stevecholerton@mac.com
May 2010
Apr 2010
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Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
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- 2010
- About
- Acceptance
- Access Control
- Accident
- Adventure
- Advertising
- Air Ambulance
- Amplification
- Andrew Deacon
- Andy Farrell
- AppleTV
- Arten Science
- Article
- Audi TT
- Avatar
- Award
- BCS
- Birthday
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- BNI
- Bob Walsh
- Book Review
- Books
- Buggy
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- Car Porn
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- Children
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- Cold Steel
- Come on England
- Common Sense Party
- Computer Consultancy
- Computing
- Concept
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- ContaX
- ContaXCRM
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- Coupon
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- CrM
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- Social Business
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- Steve Cholerton
- Tailored Marine Supplies
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- Triumph Scrambler
- Tutorial
- UK Election 2010
- Unforgiveable Stupidity
- V-Pick
- VCS
- Version Control
- VTX
- Walkabout
- Walking Stick
- Washburn
- Windows
- World Cup 2010
- Yacht Bedding
- Yacht Supplies
- Yamaha
- Youlgreave
- ZT Club
What is Social CRM and Social Media ?
Today I found
this blog post by someone well respected in the industry. His new product, once it’s released, is a possible competitor for my own ContaxCRM solution. This doesn’t stop me respecting, or sharing, what he has to say. Have a read.RSS Feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/Lonelyhacker
Beautiful Guitars from Hagstrom
I recently discovered this Swedish guitar manufacturer,
Hagstrom. They do some great looking gear. I have a particular soft spot for one of these:
Hagstrom Viking
and two is better than one, so I’d need one of these as well ...
Hagstrom Ultra Swede
So many guitars, so little cash
RSS Feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/Lonelyhacker
Arten Science ContaxCRM Press Release
Press Release
Arten Science Releases Cross Platform Single and Multi User CRM Solution
Ripley, GB May 18, 2010
UK based Arten Science today announces ContaxCRM, their Multi-User MySQL based version of their popular Cross Platform CRM Solution. ContaxCRM will let you Store, View, Interact and Communicate with your Contacts, Customers, Prospects, Network and Suppliers more easily and efficiently than ever before. It features an elegant, intuitive user Interface and seamless integration with other Arten Science products. This latest version gives you a true shared Multi-User CRM solution.
[prMac.com] Derbyshire, UK - Arten Science today is pleased to announce their Multi-User MySQL based version of their popular Cross Platform CRM Solution, ContaxCRM. ContaxCRM focuses on ease of use and accessibility - Mixed Windows and Macintosh Network? No Problem - rather than an overkill of 'never-used' features cluttering the interface. This latest version of ContaxCRM goes beyond Single-User desktop CRM solutions and gives you a true shared Multi-User CRM solution.
ContaxCRM will let you Store, View, Interact and Communicate with your Contacts, Customers, Prospects, Network and Suppliers more easily and efficiently than ever before. It features an elegant, intuitive user Interface and seamless integration with other Arten Science products.
Who's it For?
For Individuals, Clubs and Businesses who wish to use their Contact or Membership database proactively. Ideal for Graphic Designers, Web Developers, Software Developers, Self Employed, Electricians, Plumbers, Consultants and any other Business or Individual.
Why Do I Need It?
Every individual, club or business needs a central repository for their contact data. ContaxCRM is the hub of the ContaxCRM Suite which means seamless integration with - R10Cipher for Encrypted Text and Email, R10BatchMail for Batch Email Sending and ooSooM for Task and Document Management.
** Future developments will include additional modules such as Order Processing and Inventory Management. In addition a ContaxCRM iPhone application is currently under development.
System Features:
* Supplied as a Universal Binary for Mac OSX including Snow Leopard
* Windows Version for XP, Vista, 2003 and 7
* Easy to use, Clean, Fast, Modern Interface
* Requires No Installation
* No Modifications made to your computer outside of the ContaxCRM folder
* To 'uninstall' - Just delete the ContaxCRM folder
* Requires no additional Runtime installation
* Can be run from a USB drive
* Online Help System
* One Click Support
* Approximately 32Mb
* Single-User: Sync the Database with iDisk, DropBox or Similar
* Multi-User: MySQL
Functionality:
* Store detailed information about your Contacts
* Fast Searching, Sorting and Filtering of Contact information
* Unique 'Connections' Feature - Show how your Contacts are linked
* TLRS - Traffic Light Rating System
* Mark your Contacts as Customers, Suppliers, Personal, Prospect, or Network
* Appropriate Icon for Contact Types shown on inbuilt Google Maps
* Icon on Google Map coloured appropriately according to your TLRS
* User defined Contact Categories and Classifications
* Specify the allowed method of communication - R10BatchMail will not send to contacts if 'Mail' is not selected
* Real-time Charting
* Geographical Mapping Information showing Physical Proximity between businesses
* History or Inserts, Imports and Edits
* Email a Contact by Clicking the Icon next to their Email Address
* Visit a Contacts Website by Clicking the Icon next to their Web Address
* Visit a Contacts Blog by Clicking the Icon next to their Blog
* Enter your own History against a Contact
* Store Facebook and LinkedIn Information
* Store up to five 'Tagged' Phone Numbers and Email Addresses
* Contact Template Facility
* Import Data from a Tab Delimited File
* Show several contacts on the enlarged Map, see Geographical relationships
* R10BatchMail can use your ContaxCRM data for bulk Email Marketing and Communication
* Shows Linked Tasks from ooSooM Todo Manager
* Shows Linked Documents from the Digital Vault
Minimum Requirements:
* Mac OS X Version 10.4 or higher
* Windows XP / Vista / Window 7
* Universal Binary for PowerPC and Intel
* G4 Processor, 1GHz or faster
* 100 MB Hard Drive space
Support:
* Online Manual
* Tutorial Movies
* Forum
* Email the Developer
* Telephone Support quoted for Separately
Pricing and Availability:
ContaxCRM is available now at 69 GBP ($99USD) per User. The Multi-User license and MySQL Setup Tools are £100. A Trial Version of ContaxCRM can be downloaded and used 20 times, it also features a nag screen. The Trial Version restrictions can be removed by purchasing a license from our website. Data entered into the Trial Version is kept when purchasing a Full Version. Data entered into the Single-User version can be transferred to the Multi-User version at the click of a single button.
Arten Science
ContaxCRM
Download ContaxCRM
Screenshot 1
Screenshot 2
App Icon
Arten Science was setup in 2007 to design, develop and market quality commercial software for the Apple Mac OSX and Microsoft Windows. Arten Science software is designed to be useable by all. Simple By Design. We also provide Bespoke Software Development and Technology/Database/Security Consultancy services. In addition to creating new solutions for our customers, all of our commercial products can also be tailored, modified and enhanced to suit your specific requirements. We can help you to use software to solve business problems and create business opportunities.
###
Steve Cholerton
Founder and Lead Developer
07525754153
United Kingdom
Busted Leg - The Verdict
I attended the Derby Royal Hospital again this morning, I had an appointment with my consultant to discuss the results of my MRI scan and what I can expect in the future concerning my leg following my motorcycle accident.
The good news is that the ligaments are intact. The bad news is that it is unlikely to get any better. I can only bend my leg 90 degrees at the knee and I will continue to need a stick to walk, almost certainly for the rest of my life. The pain may get less after the metal is removed from my leg at the next operation in six months or so, apparently some of the screws are responsible for some of the pain due to their proximity to ‘stuff’ (I’m no doctor )
In practical terms driving a manual car will continue to be impractical for any distance, motorcycles and maybe even quads will be out of the question, I might be able to use my mountain bike or road bike at some point though if I’m lucky.
Anyway, according to the surgeon I am lucky I didn’t lose the leg - it was a bit of a mess apparently. Life goes on so I’ll make the best of it, I must admit I never expected my life to turn out this way, but Sh1t happens and you can’t always see it coming.
RSS Feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/Lonelyhacker
V-Picks Expensive but Awesome
Yep, I didn’t believe it at first either. A guitar pick that costs $4. Having bought some I can now confirm they are 100% awesome. See
the website for more details, then order in the UK from Madison and Fifth.
RSS Feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/Lonelyhacker
Les Paul Guitar Restoration Project 3
I’ve nearly finished with my Les Paul (copy) Restoration project. I’ve gone for an Antique White finish with appropriate amounts of fake ageing and abuse. Underneath the top coat of Antique White is a coat of Bright White and underneath that is Dark Yellow and under that is Primer.
The back of the guitar I am fairly happy with, the front however, although it’s growing on me, is not really what I wanted. I can of course change that quite easily so I may well do that after I have given the guitar a few weeks to settle and for the paint to dry properly. I may also use the two extra wires on the pickup to install a Coil Tap ...
The only new piece of hardware (other than the front mounted Jack Socket) is the pickup. This is an
IronGear Rolling Mill pickup, a relatively inexpensive but very highly rated UK made pickup. It is a medium output pickup and has to be heard to be believed, it is bright and clear but very smooth and creamy ... My personally designed custom guitar of the future will feature this same pickup in the neck position !At the end of the day I have achieved what I wanted, the guitar is different and interesting again, it’s easier and more pleasant to play and sounds much better. Stripping the neck back to the wood and sanding it right down has made a fantastic difference. Overall I am very pleased with the project and enjoyed the challenge. I think one of my Strat’s is next ...
The guitar currently looks like this, but could and probably will change shortly. I think I have the custom DIY bug
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Found an Excellent Local Guitar Tech
I can solder. But perhaps I shouldn’t. Therefore the new switch for my
Crybaby Wah Pedal that has just landed from the States and my new Pickup Selector switch for my Washburn needed the help of a professional. To be honest I could have easily handled the pedal, but the thought of a hot soldering iron (wielded by me!) near my pride and joy Washburn was too much to bear. The problem is that I don’t know of any decent local Guitar Tech’s. Last time I looked I met with little success, so I tried again - Google is your friendI found this guy,
Andy Farrell. His works looks great, his website is interesting and informative, so I gave him a call. Suffice to say that I dropped the items off and picked them up again within 24 hours. The job was done well at a reasonable price. Andy is a friendly and knowledgeable guy whose workshop is pure porno to those of us who play guitar.
Andy will also build you a custom guitar designed to your own specification ... Let’s see the way the election and the economy goes over the short term, maybe Andy will build me one in the future ?
Washburn Customer Service Rocks
I
blogged recently about a superb Washburn Custom Shop guitar that I purchased. The guitar was ex-demonstration and obtained for a fantastic price. The only fault was that the pickup selector switch was very ‘loose’ and not positive at all. I wanted a replacement switch but was unsure where to get it, it’s slightly different to a Les Paul switch and it also needs to be Black ...An email to Washburn Customer Services was quickly answered by an employee called Ryan Struck. Ryan agreed to send me a switch over from the States, free of charge ! True to his word a week or so later the switch arrived.
This:
is for these guys:
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Infestation of White Audi TT's
On the school run this morning I spotted *five* White Audi TT coupes. I have noticed recently that there has been an increase in White Audi TT’s but *five* spotted in a Derbyshire town within a two mile radius ?
Ok, they are quite a good looking vehicle in a kind of ‘squashed VW Beetle’ way, but please, if you are male and bigger than a Jockey, or over 35, DO NOT APPLY
I don’t understand where all the White TT’s have all come from ? Are they breeding ? Have Audi UK flogged a load of them off cheap on Ebay or something ? Was there a cancelled order from the Police force ? Where will it end ?
If you want to look cool and individual and stand out from the crowd, buy a Ford or Vauxhall - they are rarer than Audi TT’s ...
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