So how was my Blogging experience?

When I began creating the Blog, I was overwhelmed by all of the possibilities that were available to personalize the Blog. I have used computers extensively in my job for the last ten years, yet I had never created a Blog. The experience has allowed me to understand in more detail the usefulness and the perhaps the not so useful sides of a Blog. The various features incorporated in my Blog were straightforward and allowed me to better understand their application in websites. The RSS feed option is quite innovative and is certainly a very useful and well designed option. I was not aware of Technorati and so I learned how to register a Blog. I've always tried to keep up with technology advances so my Blog articles relate to items of interest and also new trends for the future. My interests vary from medicine, business, information technology, science and information of general interest. The pharmaceutical industry has afforded me much knowledge in the medical field and has required that I stay current with the latest medical breakthroughs. The idea of a Blog is an interesting concept as it allows the user to share opinions, advise, give criticism all while remaining relatively anonymous. Blogs allow the voices of the people to be heard on political issues, environmental issues, controversial issues and on any other topics of their choice. Blogs allow the author to seek comments and input on a variety of topics and in many cases can effect changes. I knew of many political Blogs and was aware of their influence on election campaigns in both a positive and negative way. Creating this Blog was a good experience and I have a much greater appreciation for the endless possibilities that the World Wide Web has to offer.

It's thin, light, sleek looking and has the power you'll need!

This could describe many things but what I'm describing is the world's smallest laptop computer. Weighing a mere 2.25lbs, the new Intel laptop is creating a lot of hype in technology sectors. The Intel laptop is a champagne-colored magnesium notebook less than 0.7 inches thick. It is a very fast computer with many new features. The notebook containing Intel chips provides always-on connectivity allowing it to connect via WiFi, EV-DO and WiMax. It'll also have a flash memory hard drive and battery with an expected life of 14 hours. The computer has gold accents and glows in the dark. Due to the large profit margins on notebooks, Intel plans to begin manufacturing the computer later this year so many feel that the world's thinnest notebook may be a reality and not simply a prototype. I travel a lot during the year and the current weight and thickness of laptop computers makes carrying them during business an ordeal. Having a powerful yet light and thin computer is closer to reality and I look forward to the day when carrying a computer will be similar to carrying a light and thin book.

More than just a cellular phone!

Recent technology is being incorporated in cellular phones to make them more versatile in our everyday lives. Most of us use our cellular phone to make calls, text message, read emails and some use them to pay for parking and even buy groceries. In Vancouver, Verrus™ Mobile Payment systems allow you to pay for parking by using your mobile phone which is associated with a credit card. In Japan cellular phones have a smart card technology that allows many forms of electronic payments simply by using your phone. Approximately 9,000 merchants including many restaurants, stores, theaters in Japan accept cellular phone payments using these smart cellular phones. Payment is quick, secure and very convenient. The number of cellular phones in use worldwide continues to grow each year and as technology improves companies like Visa, MasterCard, etc. see the potential and are finding ways to make sure that they can be included in any additional mobile phone uses. We all know that cellular phones are becoming the "don't leave home without it" item. We sometimes forget our money or wallet but rarely our cellular phone. In the future, maybe all we'll need is a cellular phone…

Wouldn't be nice to never have to remember web site passwords, bank pin numbers, and various usernames!

I was listening to a CBC radio morning program a few weeks ago and a product called RoboForm® was mentioned. RoboForm® is an automated password manager that also contains aWeb form filler. The RoboForm® encrypts all the data which is maintained on your computer and can be transferred to a USB stick. It can automatically save passwords, fill personal information into online forms, generate save and secure random passwords and encrypt passwords and personal data. Using RoboForm®, you can log into web sites, fill forms in a faster, easier and more secure way. RoboForm® memorizes and securely stores each user name and password the first time you log into a site and automatically provides them to you upon your return. RoboForm® eliminates the manual steps of logging into any online account by entering your username and password and clicking the submit button for you. A great series of features provided by RoboForm® allow you to complete registration forms by simply clicking the Identity button and the entire form is automatically filled in for you. You remember one Master Password, and RoboForm remembers the rest.

Imagine being able to see the inside of a human with AMAZING clarity!

Researchers at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine recently developed the most detailed model yet of the human body. The virtual 4D human body was created through the use of computer imaging techniques developed in conjunction with Sun Microsystems. Using video game technology, the scientists will be able to study the human anatomy in ways never before achieved. The man called CAVEman is located in a cube-shaped virtual reality room called the CAVE. The larger-than-life human has more than 3,000 body parts and is projected from three walls and the floor below. To create the larger-than-life human, the 4D human atlas was created using data from basic anatomy textbooks. A graphic artist created animated drawings using organs and fundamental body systems. The drawings were converted into Java 3DTM and brought them to life in the CAVE environment. This technology will improve the study of the genetics of diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes, muscular sclerosis. Wearing 3D glasses and using a joystick, the researcher can travel further into the body focusing on the bones, muscles, various organs, blood vessels leading to a better understanding of medicine.

WiFi: Should it be free?

Keeping with the theme of WiFi, is it illegal to use an unsecured wireless signal emitted from a coffee shop while not patronizing the business? The answer is yes in the village of Sparta, Michigan. Recently, there was a court case in the United States involving a person who had gained access to the unsecured wireless network of a coffee shop while sitting in his car. The theft of the wireless signal occurred each day as he routinely parked his car near the coffee shop and accessed the internet and checked emails. Because he did this each day, his behavior was reported to the police. Upon discovering his motive, police charged him under the Michigan Fraudulent access to computers, computer systems and computer networks (including WiFi) law. The maximum fine is $10,000 and five years in prison. He was found guilty of "piggybacking" but due to having no previous criminal record was given a $400 fine, must provide 40 hours of community service and enroll in a diversion program. So could this happen in Canada? A phenomenon called "warchalking" is occurring in Canada were unsecured WiFi signals are being used without permission and with no consequences. Currently, the practice does not seem to break any laws, but is it only a matter of time…..

Giving kids a chance!

As we all know one of the greatest gifts we can provide a child is an education. Nicholas Negroponte a professor from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and several other colleagues and partners have created a visionary company called One Computer Per Child (OLPC). This initiative is attempting to provide a very affordable laptop computer to children in developing countries therefore giving them the opportunity of an education. The bright colored XO is a virtual indestructible computer. It will cost $176 with plans to reduce the cost to $100 within two years. Countries will be able to purchase the computers in minimum lots of 250,000. A program for the poor in developed counties is being considered. The XO laptop will have a minimum 500MHz processor AMD processor (Intel competitor) and a 128MB of DRAM, with 500MB of Flash memory. The computer will not have a hard disk, but it will have four USB ports and an SD slot so that Windows and office can be inserted into the machine. The laptops will use innovative power, including wind-up. The laptops will have wireless broadband that will allow them to work as a mesh network. Each laptop will be able to talk to its nearest neighbors, creating an ad hoc and local area network, thus a digital village. The initiative which is not for profit, has attracted attention and recently Intel has introduced its low cost laptop and has begun to compete against OLPC. The project described in this video aims to bring kids into the computer age, make schooling available to the least fortunate in our world and I do hope to see them succeed in spite of the extra competition.