Patent absurdity | Tech News on ZDNet: "You might think these ideas are so simple that no patent office would have issued them. We programmers are often amazed by the simplicity of the ideas that real software patents cover--for instance, the European Patent Office has issued a patent on the progress bar, and one on accepting payment via credit cards. These would be laughable if they were not so dangerous."
Steve's Commentary
The implications of this are staggering. Software patents could never work. Every developer out there has learned how to program by copying examples that other people wrote.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Electronic News - Intel Invests in WiMax Player - 6/22/2005 - Electronic News - CA610101
Electronic News - Intel Invests in WiMax Player - 6/22/2005 - Electronic News - CA610101: "Private wireless player picoChip has landed another $20.5 million in funding, pushing its WiMax, WCDMA and TD-SCDMA efforts.
This third round of funding was lead by Rothschild and Intel Capital, along with previous investors Pond Venture Partners and Atlas Venture."
This third round of funding was lead by Rothschild and Intel Capital, along with previous investors Pond Venture Partners and Atlas Venture."
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
� Dear Mr. President: Vote for computational science | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com
Dear Mr. President: Vote for computational science | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com: "A recent assessment by the President�s Information Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC), entitled 'Computational Science: Ensuring America�s Competitiveness,' found that U.S. preeminence in science and engineering is compromised not just by the lack of focus on education in those domains, but also by a lack of collaboration and sharing within both academia and Federal R&D agencies. According to the PITAC report, 'Current efforts are characterized by a short-term orientation, limited strategic planning, and low levels of cooperation among the participants. To address these deficiencies, the report recommends that the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) commission the National Academies to convene one or more task forces to develop and maintain a multidecade roadmap for computational science and the diverse fields that increasingly depend on it.' The report also recommends specific initiatives in three areas:
1. Create a new generation of well-engineered, scalable, easy-to-use software suitable for computational science that can reduce the complexity and time to solution for today�s challenging scientific applications and can create accurate models and simulations that answer new questions.
2. Design, prototype, and evaluate new hardware architectures that can deliver larger fractions of peak hardware performance on key applications.
3. Focus on sensor- and data-intensive computational science applications in light of the explosive growth of data.
The report warns that the U.S. is at a tipping point, 'with generation-long consequences for scientific leadership, economic competitiveness, and national security if we fail to act with vision and commitment.'"
1. Create a new generation of well-engineered, scalable, easy-to-use software suitable for computational science that can reduce the complexity and time to solution for today�s challenging scientific applications and can create accurate models and simulations that answer new questions.
2. Design, prototype, and evaluate new hardware architectures that can deliver larger fractions of peak hardware performance on key applications.
3. Focus on sensor- and data-intensive computational science applications in light of the explosive growth of data.
The report warns that the U.S. is at a tipping point, 'with generation-long consequences for scientific leadership, economic competitiveness, and national security if we fail to act with vision and commitment.'"
Wi-Fi used for location services | Tech News on ZDNet
Wi-Fi used for location services | Tech News on ZDNet: "The way it works is that the company has compiled a database of every wireless access point in a given a city. It did this by having people literally drive the streets 'listening' for 802.11 signals. Using the unique identifier of the wireless router, it notes in the database where the access point is located."
Steve's Commentary
As cool as this sounds, it sure seems like a labor intensive business model. It will be very difficult to keep it up-to-date. Also, the coverage has got to be incredibly spotty at this point. We are still a long way from ubiquitous wireless access. I also wonder how this would transfer over to some of the city-wide technologies that Intel is working on. It wouldn't be too useful if it could only tell you what city you were in.
Steve's Commentary
As cool as this sounds, it sure seems like a labor intensive business model. It will be very difficult to keep it up-to-date. Also, the coverage has got to be incredibly spotty at this point. We are still a long way from ubiquitous wireless access. I also wonder how this would transfer over to some of the city-wide technologies that Intel is working on. It wouldn't be too useful if it could only tell you what city you were in.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Study: People with home offices want laptops | Tech News on ZDNet
Study: People with home offices want laptops | Tech News on ZDNet: "The issue of price ranked low, as did concern about wireless access. Sandler suggests that the unlikelihood that a laptop to come without wireless capabilities may have played a part in consumers' low interest in that particular feature.
'These days, wireless might be taken as a given, meaning that it's not that important as an add-on feature because they are assuming that they will get it anyway,' Sandler said."
Steve's Commentary
Wireless mobility is expected. That is why everyone wants a laptop. If a laptop could have the same performance specs and upgradeability as a desktop, I'd never buy another desktop.
'These days, wireless might be taken as a given, meaning that it's not that important as an add-on feature because they are assuming that they will get it anyway,' Sandler said."
Steve's Commentary
Wireless mobility is expected. That is why everyone wants a laptop. If a laptop could have the same performance specs and upgradeability as a desktop, I'd never buy another desktop.
Release 1.0 / Fresh Produce / New Ideas that Matter: On-demand air travel
Release 1.0 / Fresh Produce / New Ideas that Matter: On-demand air travel: "On-demand air travel
Length: 12 minutes
More people could soon be traveling the way corporate executives have for years - in small jet planes departing and arriving at local and municipal airports - thanks to a new generation of very light aircraft that can operate at half the cost of chartered jets. "
Steve's Commentary
The future could bring a new generation of flexible air travel. Just imagine calling up an "Air Taxi" to take you to tomorrow's business meetings in three different cities and still have you home in time for dinner.
Length: 12 minutes
More people could soon be traveling the way corporate executives have for years - in small jet planes departing and arriving at local and municipal airports - thanks to a new generation of very light aircraft that can operate at half the cost of chartered jets. "
Steve's Commentary
The future could bring a new generation of flexible air travel. Just imagine calling up an "Air Taxi" to take you to tomorrow's business meetings in three different cities and still have you home in time for dinner.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
New Scientist Technology - Fashion industry covets 'iPod factor'
New Scientist Technology - Fashion industry covets 'iPod factor': "The stupendous success of the Apple iPod has proved that technology can also be fashionable. So the race is on to bring iPod-like ease of use and compelling functionality to the clothes we wear, says Sandy Black, a fashion researcher at LCF.
'The iPod has given a real kick-start to the idea of wearable technology,' she says. 'There are already skiing jackets with iPod control switches built into the sleeve material, for instance. So with BT and others we are investigating technologies the fashion industry can harness to meet consumers' heightened expectations.'
...
Until now, clothes shot through with metal wiring to connect switches to batteries, say, have not been washable: the wires corrode in water and get crushed and snap in the spin cycle. But soon, the very fibres that fabrics are made of will be able to carry strands of non-corroding conducting plastic that's as bendy as you like."
'The iPod has given a real kick-start to the idea of wearable technology,' she says. 'There are already skiing jackets with iPod control switches built into the sleeve material, for instance. So with BT and others we are investigating technologies the fashion industry can harness to meet consumers' heightened expectations.'
...
Until now, clothes shot through with metal wiring to connect switches to batteries, say, have not been washable: the wires corrode in water and get crushed and snap in the spin cycle. But soon, the very fibres that fabrics are made of will be able to carry strands of non-corroding conducting plastic that's as bendy as you like."
Dust demystifies wireless mesh networks - At The Whiteboard - ZDNet
Dust demystifies wireless mesh networks - At The Whiteboard - ZDNet: "Rob Conant explains how wireless technology can help gather information about security, lighting, and energy efficiency in commercial buildings, ports and pipelines by using thousands of sensors connected to a central location."
Steve's Commentary
This video is really short, but introduces the concept of wireless mesh networks. The "Dust" reference in the title is a little misleading, because he never explicitely talks about electronic "dust" (i.e. tiny microsystems). The interesting thing is that the person in the video works for a company called Dust Networks. I only looked at their website briefly, but they look very interesting. The company info page says that the company was in-part founded by the oriniator of the "smart dust" concept, who was a professor at UC Berkeley.
Steve's Commentary
This video is really short, but introduces the concept of wireless mesh networks. The "Dust" reference in the title is a little misleading, because he never explicitely talks about electronic "dust" (i.e. tiny microsystems). The interesting thing is that the person in the video works for a company called Dust Networks. I only looked at their website briefly, but they look very interesting. The company info page says that the company was in-part founded by the oriniator of the "smart dust" concept, who was a professor at UC Berkeley.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
The Paperless Hospital -- Really! - Computerworld
The Paperless Hospital -- Really! - Computerworld: "At bedsides, nurses use wireless devices on wheels, or WOWs, to record progress notes and check doctors' orders. If they administer medicine or change a bandage, the supplies they use are electronically tracked and matched by bar code to individual patient records, enabling more accurate patient billing and automatic inventory replenishment.
What's conspicuously absent everywhere is paper. And for a busy hospital whose staff has just a few weeks of experience working in a totally electronic environment, the overall atmosphere is strikingly tranquil. The doctors and nurses seem completely confident and competent in their new digital workplace."
Steve's Commentary
I've had family members in three different hospitals in as many months. Out of these experiences, I noticed two things that could have been greatly improved:
1. Data Management
A patient is repeatedly asked the same questions -- whether they relate to their condition, their insurance, or their treatment. If the answers to these questions are recorded, they are not available at the point of service. That is, near the patient. Rather, it is on a computer screen at the nurses station or who knows where. Only the doctor who admitted the patient, and perhaps the nurses seemed to have the big picture. Even then, the information was not available to them in the patient room. For example, nurses would measure vitals every four hours. However, without going back to their station, they had no knowledge of the previous stats that had been taken. That meant they would usually ask the patient what the last vital said ("What was your temperature last time we took it?").
Beyond that, none of the specialists that were giving treatments appeared to have a high-level knowledge of everything that was going on with the patient. For example, the respitory specialist just knew that they needed to check with the patient every four hours to see if treatment was needed. They were not aware of any of the other treatments that the patient was undergoing.
2. Setting Expectations with Scheduling
The single most annoying factor of these hospital experiences was the sense of helplessness and chaos. People were constantly coming into and out of the rooms doing their individualized tasks. It was almost like you never knew what to expect next, even though so much of it was on a schedule. For example, here is a list of some of the things that occurred on a regular schedule:
a. Vitals Taken
b. Medication A administered
c. Medication B administered
d. IV refreshed
e. Meals served
f. Visiting hours/Cafeteria hours
Other things happened a little more asynchronously:
a. Primary Doctor Visits
b. Procedures scheduled (X-ray, ultrasound, etc...)
c. Rooms cleaned
d. Personal Care at patient request
e. Waste measured
If all these things could have been layed out on a schedule that was easily viewed by the patient, it would have given a comforting sense of order. It would allow the patient and family to set their expectations and prepare themselves for what was to come, not to mention being able to look back and see all that has transpired.
In one instance, I tried to fight some of the chaos by logging everything that took place on a piece of paper posted on a tack board in the patient room. The primary doctor thought it was great, and referred to it whenever he visited. This simple log gave him an aggregate view of the patients activities and statistics. Perhaps this information was available somewhere else, but we weren't aware of it, and our paper log impacted some of the doctor's decisions. An electronic system with a flat-screen would be great, but a simple pad of paper would suffice. This was an easy solution to a big problem. BTW - Put two patients in the same room and double the chaos.
Some other observations:
a. Most patients are hooked up to an IV and often other devices as well. The tubes and cords really limit the mobility of the patient.
b. The visitor seating in the room was four uncomfortable wooden chairs (2 for each patient). These chairs were in the way when the patient tried to move around the room with their IV poles. A fold-down bench/cot would have been more functional and less obstructive.
c. The supposedly "comfortable" chair in the room was a recliner that didn't go flat and creeked loud enough to wake up the patients next door. Try sleeping in one of these things.
d. Sanitation and cross-contamination is a problem -- the janitorial personnel warned us not to let anything (including bare feet and purses) touch the floor. The nurse warned us not to let bare skin touch the "comfortable" chair because so many sick people sit/sleep in them all the time.
e. The only public Internet access in the hospital was a few kiosks in the main lobby. Not even a wireless network in the cafe.
When someone you love goes into a hospital, you and your family try to rally around that person. It has been my experience that you drop everything and spend all of your time at the hospital to support them. Unfortunately, hospitals are not setup to accomodate the families of patients. Whether it be in the waiting room or the patient room, there is a lot of room for improvement in these facilities. Fortunately for us, we were just trying to pass the time while our patient rested and recovered. During that time, I would have appreciated being able to carry on my normal work activities using VPN on my wireless laptop while sitting in the patient room. This would have allowed me to get some things done and provide the emotional support that physical proximity brings.
What's conspicuously absent everywhere is paper. And for a busy hospital whose staff has just a few weeks of experience working in a totally electronic environment, the overall atmosphere is strikingly tranquil. The doctors and nurses seem completely confident and competent in their new digital workplace."
Steve's Commentary
I've had family members in three different hospitals in as many months. Out of these experiences, I noticed two things that could have been greatly improved:
1. Data Management
A patient is repeatedly asked the same questions -- whether they relate to their condition, their insurance, or their treatment. If the answers to these questions are recorded, they are not available at the point of service. That is, near the patient. Rather, it is on a computer screen at the nurses station or who knows where. Only the doctor who admitted the patient, and perhaps the nurses seemed to have the big picture. Even then, the information was not available to them in the patient room. For example, nurses would measure vitals every four hours. However, without going back to their station, they had no knowledge of the previous stats that had been taken. That meant they would usually ask the patient what the last vital said ("What was your temperature last time we took it?").
Beyond that, none of the specialists that were giving treatments appeared to have a high-level knowledge of everything that was going on with the patient. For example, the respitory specialist just knew that they needed to check with the patient every four hours to see if treatment was needed. They were not aware of any of the other treatments that the patient was undergoing.
2. Setting Expectations with Scheduling
The single most annoying factor of these hospital experiences was the sense of helplessness and chaos. People were constantly coming into and out of the rooms doing their individualized tasks. It was almost like you never knew what to expect next, even though so much of it was on a schedule. For example, here is a list of some of the things that occurred on a regular schedule:
a. Vitals Taken
b. Medication A administered
c. Medication B administered
d. IV refreshed
e. Meals served
f. Visiting hours/Cafeteria hours
Other things happened a little more asynchronously:
a. Primary Doctor Visits
b. Procedures scheduled (X-ray, ultrasound, etc...)
c. Rooms cleaned
d. Personal Care at patient request
e. Waste measured
If all these things could have been layed out on a schedule that was easily viewed by the patient, it would have given a comforting sense of order. It would allow the patient and family to set their expectations and prepare themselves for what was to come, not to mention being able to look back and see all that has transpired.
In one instance, I tried to fight some of the chaos by logging everything that took place on a piece of paper posted on a tack board in the patient room. The primary doctor thought it was great, and referred to it whenever he visited. This simple log gave him an aggregate view of the patients activities and statistics. Perhaps this information was available somewhere else, but we weren't aware of it, and our paper log impacted some of the doctor's decisions. An electronic system with a flat-screen would be great, but a simple pad of paper would suffice. This was an easy solution to a big problem. BTW - Put two patients in the same room and double the chaos.
Some other observations:
a. Most patients are hooked up to an IV and often other devices as well. The tubes and cords really limit the mobility of the patient.
b. The visitor seating in the room was four uncomfortable wooden chairs (2 for each patient). These chairs were in the way when the patient tried to move around the room with their IV poles. A fold-down bench/cot would have been more functional and less obstructive.
c. The supposedly "comfortable" chair in the room was a recliner that didn't go flat and creeked loud enough to wake up the patients next door. Try sleeping in one of these things.
d. Sanitation and cross-contamination is a problem -- the janitorial personnel warned us not to let anything (including bare feet and purses) touch the floor. The nurse warned us not to let bare skin touch the "comfortable" chair because so many sick people sit/sleep in them all the time.
e. The only public Internet access in the hospital was a few kiosks in the main lobby. Not even a wireless network in the cafe.
When someone you love goes into a hospital, you and your family try to rally around that person. It has been my experience that you drop everything and spend all of your time at the hospital to support them. Unfortunately, hospitals are not setup to accomodate the families of patients. Whether it be in the waiting room or the patient room, there is a lot of room for improvement in these facilities. Fortunately for us, we were just trying to pass the time while our patient rested and recovered. During that time, I would have appreciated being able to carry on my normal work activities using VPN on my wireless laptop while sitting in the patient room. This would have allowed me to get some things done and provide the emotional support that physical proximity brings.
Multitasking Bosses Bring Their Office to the Beach House - Computerworld
Multitasking Bosses Bring Their Office to the Beach House - Computerworld: "But Reagan wasn't working from an office in his company's Denver headquarters or toiling from a high-priced hotel suite. He was ensconced in the $50,000, 700-square-foot office in his second home, in Aspen, Colo. 'I've got it all here,' says the 48-year-old private-equity broker. 'Sometimes, it's actually better than being at my real office.'
Step into the new vacation-home executive suite: It's bigger, better and professionally equipped.
In their zeal to get the most out of their newly purchased second homes, Americans are upgrading weekend work spaces with wireless Internet, broadband technology and computer terminals for their guests. "
Steve's Commentary
This shows how important home offices have become. Granted, this is in reference to the affluent executives who have the luxury of an expensive home office in a "vacation" home, but these things trickle down. Everyone wants a nice home office and the flexibility to work where you want.
Step into the new vacation-home executive suite: It's bigger, better and professionally equipped.
In their zeal to get the most out of their newly purchased second homes, Americans are upgrading weekend work spaces with wireless Internet, broadband technology and computer terminals for their guests. "
Steve's Commentary
This shows how important home offices have become. Granted, this is in reference to the affluent executives who have the luxury of an expensive home office in a "vacation" home, but these things trickle down. Everyone wants a nice home office and the flexibility to work where you want.
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