For the last couple of months I’ve been beavering away on my first open source application and I’m pleased to say that the first version has now been released.
The project is called KPInator, it’s a business intelligence application that displays key performance indicators (KPIs) in a web browser. In addition the user can set up charts to display historical data.
If you’re in business then you just have to know what your key performance indicators are and what their current values are. If you don’t have this information to hand then you’ve no real idea as to how well your business is doing at any one time. For example, if your business manufactures widgets then you might have a KPI that measures widget production per hour. If widget production per hour falls below a certain level then KPInator will flag this by changing colour.
The application release 0.1.0 is fully functional, if a little rough around the edges. Over the next few weeks I’ll have the sand paper out plus I’ll be enhancing the existing feature set. Please check the KPInator project web site for more updates.
After the wind up of my business I’m going to have for part with my van 
. It’s a Ford Transit Connect with longer wheel base and extra height in the body of the van than the standard model. The engine is a 1.8L turbo diesel injection making for good acceleration off the lights and yet very economical on long journeys.The van is also fitted with the "electric pack" which gives you remote central locking and electric windows.
Registered in February 2008 it’s done only 23,000Km (that’s 14,375 miles in old money).
The all important thing, the price. I’m asking €6,000 or near offer.
OK, here’s a breakdown of the specs:
- Model: Ford Transit Connect T220 LWB High Roof Van
- Engine: 1.8 L TDCi (75PS)
- Body colour: white
- Sliding side door
- Fold down passenger seat and adjustable cage for long loads
- Mileage: 23,000Km (14,375 miles)
- Remote central locking
- Electric windows
- CD player
For more information or to arrange a viewing please email me in the first instance on cts at ctswestcork.com.
Here’s a pic in all her glory.
Earlier this year we (finally) got a diagnosis for Roisin that she was on the Autistic Spectrum. We’d suspected for some years that she has Aspergers Syndrome or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD); but it wasn’t until her assessment last October, and subsequent discussions, that we got this diagnosis.
What this means is that it’s opened a number of doors to services that were previously not available. These are provided by the excellent ASD team at Co-Action. As well as the services there’s a parents support group and it’s great to be able to get together with people to share experiences and support each other.
To help the parents group I’ve set up a web site Autism West Cork. The site doesn’t have much in the way of content yet; but there is a forum for parents of children under Co-Action’s care. I hope you’ll take a look at the site and let me know if there’s anything you think should be on it.
This is not an easy post to write.
For the last 14 months I’ve been running my own business, Computer Troubleshooters – West Cork. Unfortunately, despite all my best efforts, this simply isn’t paying the bills, let alone putting food on the table. So I’ve decided to wind the company up and look for a fulltime position again.
For me this is a bit like trying to change gear in the middle of taking a sharp corner rather too fast. Life is lurching rapidly towards the curb whilst I’m struggling to keep it under control, not really sure in which direction I’m headed.
One thing I’m hoping is that this post will allow me to transition out of Computer Troubleshooters mode and back into “prospective employee” mode.
At least I should have more time for posting to this blog 
PS. The business is for sale if you’re interested. It’s a franchise business and you’d get it at a fraction of the cost of setting up from scratch. Drop me a line if you’re interested.
There’s an age old adage that you’re probably familiar with:
Measure twice – cut once.
Well for me it goes more like:
Measure twice – cut three or four times, measure it again and cut a couple times more.
I don’t know what it is; but I just can’t seem to get the measurements right. Take this afternoon for example. All I had to do was put two hooks on the back of the bathroom door to hang a bathroom “tidy” on.
Two hooks, same height up the door. Easy!
So I put the two hooks up, hung the tidy on it, stood back; goddammit it’s crooked. Had reposition one on the hooks to get it level.
Me and DIY don’t mix.
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