Entries from July 2006
Gearlog [1]
So Cool It Can’t Be Real: Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard
How about this for a completely sterile keyboard
The future is here with a keyboard from ThinkGeek that’s not really quite there. The Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard is a tiny device (only 3.5-inches high) that projects a virtual keyboard onto your desk (or any flat surface) using a red diode laser. How cool is that? You even get the key click sounds when you type so you’re not too discombulated, and people won’t think you’re crazy. Why is that guy trying to type on his desk?
You can pair the device with any Bluetooth-enabled PDA or cell phone, and type away on this full size QWERTY keyboard, so it’s great travel accessory. The rechargeable battery will last about 120 minutes, so it’s really meant for “on-the-fly” use. An AC adaptor is included.
It’s compatible with PalmOS 5, PocketPC 2003, Windows Smartphone, Symbian OS, and Windows 2000/XP with limited Mac OSX Support. Mac users unfortunately won’t be able to set keyboard preferences like brightness, key-repeat rate and sensitivity. It sells for $189.99 at ThinkGeek.com.
[1] http://gearlog.com/blogs/gearlog/default.aspx
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Tags: Hardware
The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition [1] estimates that consumer electronics constitute 40 percent of the lead found in landfills, and other toxic materials, such as cadmium, barium, and mercury, are all found in PC components. Because of this, many municipal refuse and recycling companies don’t offer curbside pickup of computer equipment.
Fortunately, computer-recycling companies meet this challenge. PC recycling is sometimes free; otherwise there may be a modest fee ($5 to $15). Call your city, town, or village hall to find out whether your area has a computer-recycling program. You can also search Google for computer recycling in your area, or check the Yellow Pages. Some computer vendors, like Dell and HP, accept PCs for recycling and reward you with gift certificates or discounts on future purchases.
[1] http://www.svtc.org/
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Tags: Hardware · Just for Fun
Check out TNT Dental here: [1] They have a great gallery of web pages they have designed for dentists. Everyone is unique with killer graphics.
[1] http://www.tntdental.com/
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Tags: Websites & Internet
I will be presenting at the National AGD meeting next week. I will be doing a full day on paperless records and images and then a full day workshop on digital cameras, and cosmetic imaging.
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Tags: Just for Fun
New News From PC Magazine: IBM Software Offers Constant Data Backups [1]
IBM is hoping to take the guilt trip out of the backup process with their latest software, the Tivoli Continuous Data Protection for Files, which is aimed at the average user and automatically works quietly behind the scenes, like antivirus software. On Friday, IBM announced that they would use Digital River, Inc. to distribute the software to consumers through online retailers such as OfficeMax, Staples, and Circuit City Stores, among others. The software, also available via download on ibm.com and through other sales channels, costs $35 per laptop or desktop PC.
[1] http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1992544,00.asp
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Tags: Security
Look here Ergodontics for [1] some alternative computer mounting solutions.
[1] http://www.ergodontics.com/index.html
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Tags: Office Design
A good example of a spreadsheet which is described below is the hardware calculator I developed which is available on the main page or by clicking here. [1]
[1] http://www.drlarryemmott.com/general/calculator.htm
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Tags: Administrative · Just for Fun
Understanding and mastering spreadsheets will give you a powerful tool to evaluate current practice performance and predict future performance. Spreadsheets are computer programs that let you create and manipulate data electronically. In a spreadsheet application, each value sits in a cell arranged in rows and columns. You can define what type of data is in each cell and how different cells depend on one another. For example, cell X is defined as the sum of cells A + B. If A=3 and B=4 then X=7. If you change the value of B to 5 then X automatically changes to 8.
Once you have defined the cells and the formulas for linking them together, you can enter your data. It is possible to export data from a practice management system to Excel. You can then modify selected values to see how all the other values change accordingly. This enables you to study various what-if scenarios.
Excel also supports graphics features that enable you to produce charts and graphs from
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Tags: Administrative · Just for Fun
I had the chance to spend some time with the developer of Patient Gallery image management software last week in Seattle. For years I was a user and a big fan of ImageFx. Patient Gallery is the next level of ImageFx. You can check it out here [1].
This newest version has all the cosmetic imaging tools and display features I liked in Fx plus a lot of updated features. The X-Ray section is much improved. I would like to see some additional changes and a better understanding of diagnostic needs.
Another nice feature is web based training. Training not just on using the software which is important but also training on getting a good photo to start with, including positioning and lighting.
[1] http://www.patientgallery.com/
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Tags: Just for Fun
We had a trainer come to the office Wednesday to help us learn to use the new treatment planning software called Xcpt, (pronounced accept). The developer is a periodontist from Florida. He has thought of some nice features. I need to work with it some more to determine if I really like it. The web page is here. [1]
I think some of the features are a bit awkward to use and it is mostly oriented to surgery and implants. You can download a free trial off the web site and try it yourself. Also to be really effective it needs to integrate with practice management software and digital image management including radiography. I also think the fee is hard to justify. In fact the fee is hard to find, I couldn’t find it anywhere on the web site but I believe it is about $6,000.
[1] http://www.xcpt.com/
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Tags: Diagnostics