Sitting at your desk all day long is bad for your health – and your pants size. Many of you don’t have the luxury of finding the time to participate in a long, drawn-out exercise routine. How the heck can you improve your health if you don’t have enough hours in the day to get fit? New research shows that moving around for even sixty seconds at a time is good for your heart, your weight AND your waistline.

That’s right – I said sixty seconds at a time. Researchers found that the more breaks people took during the time they spent being sedentary, the smaller their waist circumference. Breaks didn’t need to involve physical exercise – they could be as simple as walking around the office. Dr. Genevieve Healy says that her findings highlight the importance of taking regular breaks throughout the day to just move around.

• Is the Verizon iPhone even a viable solution?
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• What reasons would you give for NOT wanting the iPhone on Verizon?
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• Stop wasting your time with prognostications.
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• Can you draw the dangers of debt? Your artwork could score you some cold, hard cash.
• It DOES matter which number you call for tech support.
• How do you break your bad habits?
• VLC has been removed from the iOS App Store.
• How do you know which Linux distro is right for you?

Don’t forget to stop by our software center today.

Get Up and Move

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Lockergnome’s Kelly Clay gets a demonstration of the iHealth blood pressure monitoring system and iHealth blood pressure cuff for iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad. iHealth works like a standard blood pressure cuff, measuring blood pressure from around your bicep, then charts the data on your iPad or iPhone with an integrated app so that you can track your blood pressure over time. Your iPhone or iPad sits on a mounting stand with a connected blood pressure cuff allowing you to easily sit next to any table top and take your blood pressure, which is recorded to the iPad blood pressure app.

The free app is fairly well-designed with a large central button you press to activate the cuff. After a few seconds, the results (date, time, pulse, and systolic and diastolic numbers) appear in large font on the screen, alongside a flashing graph that shows where you on on the blood pressure scale. Additional features track your history, delete a readout, open the FAQ, and share results via e-mail. The app also calculates your average and compares your risk of hypertension to World Health Organization figures.

The cost for the dock is around one hundred dollars, and well worth the price if you’re someone who suffers from high blood pressure.

iHealth Keeps Track of Your Blood Pressure

If you’re a person who is addicted to sugary soft drinks, I hope you don’t live in San Francisco. If you do, you may very well start a riot the next time you try to buy your favorite cola from a vending machine in the city limits. San Francisco’s mayor Gavin Newsom doesn’t feel you need to drink these toxic beverages. Instead, he wants you to choose a healthy alternative such as soy milk. The ban that was put in place in April is now starting to make its presence known throughout the city.

Thanks to @forrestkoba, I happened to read the article about the ban on drinks such as Coke and Pepsi in vending machines located on city property. Don’t worry… you can still purchase them in supermarkets and drink them in the secrecy of your own home. However, if you want to grab a cold can from a vending machine at City Hall, you’re out of luck. You could always “treat” yourself to some Soy milk, though!

All calorically sweetened beverages have been taken out of vending machines on city property. “That includes non-diet sodas, sports drinks and artificially sweetened water. Juice must be 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice with no added sweeteners. Diet sodas can be no more than 25 percent of the items offered, the directive says.” There will be a lot of pure juices, waters and non-dairy types of beverages available, though.

The directive also takes aim at snacks which have a high fat or calorie content. “There’s a direct link between what people eat and drink and the obesity and health care crises in this country,” Newsom spokesman Tony Winnicker said. “It’s entirely appropriate and not at all intrusive for city government to take steps to discourage the sale of sugary sodas on city property.”

What are your thoughts? Do you agree that it is “not intrusive” when a city (or other) government steps in and mandates what you can and cannot buy to eat or drink when visiting city-owned properties? Do you feel that they are going a bit too far in exercising their plans to make the city’s residents healthier?

San Francisco Bans Sugary Drinks

Today is National Bike to Work Day, capping off an entire week of pushing Amercians to be healthier while saving the environment from harmful gasses AND helping cut down on fuel consumption. Sounds like a pretty tall order, doesn’t it? It’s not such a stretch, though. Riding a bike for only thirty minutes per day can have a large impact on your health: the aerobic exercise strengthens the heart muscle at the same time that it helps keep weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure at healthy levels. It may also reduce arterial inflammation, which increases heart-attack risk, and slow the progression of heart disease.

You already know that riding a bike instead of driving a car (or taking public transportation) will save on your gasoline cost and reduce your carbon footprint. Did you know, though, that biking could keep your heart healthy? It can also help keep arthritis at bay. A recent study suggests that women with stronger thigh muscles are less likely to develop arthritis in their knees.

Leave the car in the garage today. Dust off your bike, throw on your tennis shoes, and enjoy the scenery on the way to the office on this beautiful day.

• The Hotmail update is still playing catch-up to Gmail.
• What are the wackiest keyboards you’ve ever seen?
• Have you given Google Chrome operating system a try?
• Facebook has a new security feature.
• What is the ultimate germ breeder?
• If Apple cut their prices by 50%, what do you think would happen to the desktop market?
• Three new monitor lizards from the Philippines have been identified.
• What facts do you need to know about Google TV?
• What temperature do you keep your home at?
• What is the psychology behind food cravings?
• Focusing on appearance may reduce tanning in young women.
• Does the Internet make you happier?
• Ballmer has confessed to Vista’s sins.
• Who should use Dropbox?
• What five ways do grocery stores take you money while giving you less?
• Google, Sony, Intel, Logitech and the “Smart TV” are coming our way.

You won’t need to grab a bike helmet to keep you safe as you browse the latest software and apps we have available.

Leave Your Car at Home and Bike to Work Today

If you are an Apple fan, nothing would be worse than hooking up with the “perfect” person – only to discover that they are a Windows user. That is likely the biggest deal-breaker of all. Thanks to new service Cupidtino, you’ll never have to worry about this again. The site promises to bring Apple fan-boys and girls together in a relationship nearly guaranteed to last:

Die-hard Mac & Apple fans often have a lot in common – personalities, creative professions, a similar sense of style and aesthetics, and of course a love for technology. We believe these are enough reasons for two people to meet and fall in love, and so we created the first Mac-inspired dating site to help you find other Machearts around you.

This may sound like some sort of weird scam, but it’s very real. The site is set to go live sometime in June, but you can sign up to beta-test it now. I’ve read a lot of commentary about this studly service today, but none of them sum it up better than Mike over at TechCrunch when he said that “Apple fans can be annoying when they’re on their own. The thought of them breeding and creating little Apple fans, a whole family of hard core hipster Apple lovers, is just not a good thing. On the other hand, making sure that Apple fans only date other Apple fans is a good way of stopping them from spreading their Apple fan genes to the general population, I guess. So maybe this site isn’t all bad.”

My only question now is: How soon will we see a Windows-only (and Linux-only) dating site? Which of you are going to step up and start it?

• Will the real terrorist on Facebook please stand up?
• ATM card skimming has grown by five times last year’s number.
• How stable is Windows 7?
• Brick Move for the iPhone reminds me of my favorite game of all time.
• Is Linux a religious experience?
• What software would you recommend to limit computer usage?
• The new IE 9 developer platform is available for review.
• What do you use to do web design on your Mac?
• Would you friend your parents on social networking sites?
• How can you be a healthy Geek?
• How do you recover your wireless network key?
• How do you scrape up the money to pay for all of your Geeky gadgets?
• Consumers still act like dummies online and share too much information.
• Exactly how does sunlight put a spring in your step?

Love of one platform or another is not required to grab some of the latest software and apps for your devices. We welcome all people!

Love is in the Air for Apple Fans

These days, the population is more health-conscious than ever before. Not only do we take care of ourselves better, we also take control of our healthcare. We question our providers. We research our fingers to the bone so that we understand what they’re telling us. We research to help find possible answers and treatments to suggest to our doctors.

Being able to have a wealth of health and medical knowledge at our fingertips is almost essential. That’s why the Carter’s Encyclopaedia of Health and Medicine app for the iPad is sure to be a huge hit with many adults.

The encyclopaedia was designed specifically for the iPad. It features 1,800 pages and more than 12,000 entries. The app moves beyond the limits of a physical book with a full text search, an interactive body diagram, browsing history and adjustable font size.

This app will cover definitions and explanations of most of the medical terms and health conditions you will likely ever need to know about. It is even detailed enough to contain most of the information a nurse or paramedical will need in their daily work life. It’s written in an easy-to-understand format so that it can be used by anyone with a basic high school education. You don’t need medical experience or training to make use of this app.

Carter’s Encyclopaedia of Health and Medicine will be available in the app store as soon as the iPad is officially released for an introductory price of $9.99. Credit to TUAW for surfacing this app.

How to Stay Healthy with the iPad

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There’s nothing like a good hike to get your blood pumping. Were you aware of the health benefits of doing something like this? You can burn calories, increase muscle tone, improve your circulation – and live longer!

I enjoy quite a few indoor activities, but one of my favorites is climbing. There’s just something magical about reaching the top. You look all the way down, and feel such a sense of accomplishment! Sure, you might be frustrated when you have to make your climb several times a day (or hour!) like I do. But each and every time you get to the summit, the sense of pride and wonder is there all over again. You’ve done it! You know you can keep going, but sadly – there’s nowhere left to go other than back down.

Let’s not discuss that whole running out of breath thing. I’m not old, and I’m not out of shape. I’m the Great Indoorsman!!

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Hard-Core Climbing with the Great Indoorsman

Why do people make resolutions for the new year? Many use it as a catalyst for accomplishing their goals. Many take the opportunity to try something new and improve their lives. I’ve put together a list of some of the most common resolutions people make. If you haven’t made your resolution list yet, you may find some ideas here:

1. Quit Smoking. Several people I know were able to do this last year, and it is a good resolution to try and keep. There are some great resources online that can help you, and many state health departments sponsor programs as well. Here’s one – quitnet.com. You will feel better, breathe better, and your health will begin to improve sooner than you think. Your friends, family, car, clothes and computer will thank you for quitting. Those who love and care about you should support you. Good luck!
2. Lose Weight. This isn’t just about the holiday pounds. Our society is getting heavier and heavier – are you? This is one of the most common resolutions people make, and it’s a good one. I’ve been working on mine for three months, and I’ve lost twenty pounds!! With determination, you can do a lot. There are many things you can do to get started. You can join a gym, order DVD workouts, join online support groups… the possibilities are endless. A great place to start would be something like Weight Watchers. They have calculators to help you keep track of what you eat, they have message boards for support, and it is a well-known name. There’s also places like Beachbody – programs that offer many options for exercise, diet and support all in one place. Keep at it, don’t give up. After all, if you don’t have your health, what do you have?
3. Eat Healthier. Be specific in your weight loss, and be honest. You know, McDonald’s isn’t going to help you lose weight, and neither are those Christmas candies. You’d be surprised at how much money you save AND how much better you feel taking a homemade lunch to work instead of eating fast food. Make some conscious choices, and use the official Food Pyramid as your guide. Plan your menus and your meals ahead, don’t shop hungry and you’ll be pleasantly surprised how you can accomplish this goal.
4. Exercise More. This one goes along with eating healthy and losing weight. You will receive better and longer lasting weight loss results, and improve your heart and lung function. Please remember to talk to your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.
5. Take Time for Family. Are you a workaholic? Do you remember the names of your children? What about birthdays and anniversaries – have you forgotten any lately? Life is short, and we need to make the most of it. You can’t take your job, your money or your computer with you when you die – but you can take your experiences and the love you share with your family. Make sure you let them know how important they are to you, and try to do it on a daily basis. If you don’t have children or you aren’t married, consider talking to your parents or extended family more often.
6. Return to School. Did you leave college before you earned a degree? Did life happen before you had a chance to get a higher education? It’s not too late, you can take online classes, night courses, or some type of correspondence course for many areas of study. You can keep your day job! All it takes is some hard work and dedication. You may qualify for financial aid, grants, scholarships… you never know unless you try. If you don’t have your GED, what are you waiting for?!? Step up and improve your life, and finish your high school education. If you are still young and not of age, please stay in school. Work hard, earn good grades, and they will take you far in life.
7. Stick to a Budget. With the state of the economy, I’m sure you are feeling the pinch. If you haven’t been laid off yet, you may want to think about keeping to a budget. Figure out your expenses, your income, your investments, and put them all in one place. There are applications like Quicken and MS Money, but there are also free programs that can help you too. You could also go “old school” and use a ledger book. The most important thing is to balance your checkbook and keep an eye on everything that goes in and out. How you keep track of that is up to you.
8. Change Jobs. Working at Wendy’s and want to get more out of life? Well, now is your chance! If you put together some of the resolutions above, you can accomplish this. You’ll be able to budget your money, go to school and work at the same time, and get your exercise to work off those half price meals. Check your local Workforce Services or job board for things you may be qualified for. Don’t sit back and complain – be proactive and do something about it!
9. Have Patience. Everyone could use more patience. Whether it be with your co-workers, your boss, your family, or your friends, try counting to ten once in a while instead of raising your voice or flying off the handle. Make sure your interactions with others are positive – make conscious choices to lift people up and not tear them down. Try listening to Tony Robbins or something, and improve your self-esteem. You’ll be surprised what an effect it can have on your relationships with others, your patience with them and the success you will have.
10. Help Others. As you know, Ponzi and I always try to help those less fortunate. There are things you can do too, even if you don’t have a lot of money. Your local food bank will always accept donations, no matter what time of year it is. Hungry people exist every day, not just around the holidays. Non-perishable foods are the best, because they have a longer shelf life and can be easily stored. Donate useful items that you don’t use anymore – glasses, coats, shoes, blankets, and wearable clothing.

What resolutions have you set? How successful were you last year? Feel free to share your ideas, experiences and encouragement for the new year.

Oh, and by the way – HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Top Ten Resolutions for 2009

This is Patricia L. Hale’s (MD, PhD) submission for the HP Magic Giveaway. Feel free to leave comments for this article as you see fit – your feedback is certainly welcomed! If you’d like to submit your own how-to, what-is, or top-five list, you can send it to me. Views and opinions of this writer are not necessarily my own:

I’m Patricia L. Hale MD, PhD. After over 15 years of medical practice, I have found that more and more of my patients rely on the Internet for useful health information. The web can be a wonderful resource and most clinicians now use it regularly as well. Statistics show that web searches for health information s are one of the top searches by volume and most Internet users will use the web to search for health information at one time or another. Unfortunately there is a great deal of false and inaccurate or dated information on the web. There are schemes to sell products that are often a harmless waste of money but occasionally can be dangerous. So please avoid clicking on advertisements on web sites and go to one of the reputable sites listed below.

The following are my top 5 safe web sites containing the best tools and resources for health related information:

• Medline Plus – Specifically designed for the public by the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, this site has a tremendous amount of detailed information on a variety of health topics. There is information on over 750 conditions, diseases and wellness recommendations. Information on drugs and supplements along with the latest medical news and available clinical trials is also included. There are over 165 interactive tutorials and actual videos of many common surgical procedures (for the very curious). There are links to a number of highly respected medical organizations, patient support groups and medical centers that include local resources. Podcasts are also available addressing many common medical issues. The information is available in over 40 languages and continually updated. Overall this is my top recommendation as a great place to start any search for health information.
• Mayo Clinic – This site has been voted as one of the top sites for health information on almost every list in the past five years or more. It remains a leader in providing high quality, well researched health information to the public. There are tutorials, reference materials and links on a multitude of health topics. The site also includes the opportunity to ask questions of Mayo Clinic’s world renowned clinicians. There are podcasts as well as an excellent free weekly e-newsletter.
• Center for Disease Control (CDC) – You may think the CDC is only interested in disease outbreaks but they also have an excellent site for the public. This web site containing useful health information that is easy to search and includes a broad range of topics. This is the best site for information on air pollution and home contaminants such as radon or mold. One of the more unique features is the inclusion of links to data and statistics from around the United States allowing you to see what health issues you may have a higher risk for due to where you live. The site is available in multiple languages and includes podcasts, email updates and other features.
• Merck Source – This site contains one of the most complete sets of free access to reference materials for health topics on the web. It also has a companion site available free to clinicians that carefully matches information to what is on the public site geared for patients. There are links to a number of top medical center resources including the Harvard Health E-Newsletter. A unique feature is free access to the A.D.A.M. Symptom Navigator which is an interactive tool that is actually fun as well as educational. Although the site is supported by a pharmaceutical company, there is no advertising and the site is carefully balanced to provide high quality and unbiased medical information.
• U.S. Dept. of State Tips for Traveling Abroad – If you are planning on international travel this site is for you. It contains information on what immunizations may be required as well as very useful health and safety information for travel. You can also register your travel plans so you can be contacted if there is a family emergency in the U.S. or a crisis where you are traveling. The check list for what to do to prepare for your trip is also very helpful.

That’s it! Those are my top five sites. There are many other useful health resources on the web but it is very important to be sure they are run by reputable medical authorities and contain accurate and safe information. If you are going to use a general search engine to look for health information you should stick to Google as they actually have a medical director who is helping to continually modify their search algorithms to move safe and accurate health related results to the top. One of the best ways you can be further reassured that the web site you are exploring is safe is to look for the Health on The Net Foundation (HON) seal of approval. HON has strict criteria for approval of health related web sites and checks regularly to be sure their rules are followed. You can click on the seal and get the latest information on the status of the web site or go to the HON web site for a general search of participating sites. HON requires that every web site include the medical background and qualifications of those who provide the information on the web site and also when the web site was last updated.

I hope this list is helpful and you have a wonderful and safe holiday season! Remember to always look for HONcode accredited web sites.

Top Physician Recommended Health Sites on the Web

Granted, I haven’t felt like a true Star Wars fan since the prequels concluded… but this is an interesting point of inspiration. I usually only hear how Star Trek has influenced real-world science and technology. Shawn McClendon just sent me these three links:

• Dean Kamen’s Artificial Arm
• Robotic Prosthesis
• Dean Kamen’s Arm Reaches Clinical Trials

But what do they have to do with Star Wars?

Here are links to three sources concerning a new prosthetic device designed by DEKA and modeled after The mechanical arm worn by Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars films. My wife, who is currently studying Occupational Therapy. She found it interesting, and thought that I might as well, not only because I am disabled, but because I have forever been a science fiction fan, and more so a Star Wars fan. She was also the wonderful person who introduced me to your show, and it occurred to me, that I could not possibly be the only SW fan, nor the only disabled fan of your show, and thus I thought to share. Its the first time I’ve ever contacted you, and so I’m not certain of the etiquette of such things, so thank you in advance for your patience, and I do hope you enjoy the information. The first is a rather detailed demonstration video. That I thought was the best bit.

So, what other pieces of tech (and advancements in health science) have been inspired by Sci-Fi?

Luke Skywalker’s Prosthetic Arm

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With so many of us spending hours on end at our computers these days, it’s no wonder we have body pains and health issues. Here are some excellent tips to help you stay in better “computer health”.

• Beware the strain of working 8-hour days. Eye strain, soreness, visual fatigue and headaches can all result from a computer screen set at an uncomfortable height or angle. You can avoid these 21st century work-related hazards simply by adjusting the position of your screen. When sitting comfortably and looking at the screen, your eyes should ‘land’ at the top of it. If they don’t, you’re likely to experience eye related difficulties later on. You may find it easier to re-position your chair, rather than the computer. Arrange the screen at 90 degrees to your desk, to minimize reflections from ceiling lights and/or high windows. Take regular breaks. Fatigue and stress aren’t helped by the bright light given off by computer screens. Spend at least 5 minutes every hour doing non-computer work. This will rest your eyes.
• Stretching your ankles could ease chronic back pain. Shortened Achilles tendons can cause chronic back pain. They prevent you from walking well, putting stress on your spine. Here’s how to relax and strengthen your tendons, reducing the risk to your back. Stand 60-90cm away from a wall, facing it. Lean towards the wall, putting palms flat against it with both feet on the ground. Move one foot half the distance to the wall. Keep your other leg straight at the knee, with your heel flat on the floor. Now, bend the forward knee and both arms slowly and rhythmically. The back heel must be kept on the floor and the tail tucked in at all times. Continue for 20 seconds. Relax. Change legs and repeat ten times.
• Avoid backache by sitting properly at your desk. Keep your feet firmly on the floor when working. Dangling legs affect your circulation, create bad posture and lead to backache.
• Avoid computer-related hand and wrist injuries. Do this simple exercise every morning before work. Hold your arms out straight in front of you. Lift up your hands at 90 degrees, and spread your fingers. Hold for five seconds, lower, and relax. Then clench your fists, and lower your wrists at 90 degrees. Hold for five seconds, straighten, and relax. Repeat ten times, and repeat at lunchtime, just before starting work for the afternoon.
• How leaning on a wall beats back strain and injury. This great daily exercise only takes a few minutes. It helps re-align the muscles in your back, to help undo the strains of everyday life. Stand with your back against a wall, with your feet 14-20cm (5-8 inches) away from the skirting board. Now try to flatten the small of your back against the wall, by pulling in your stomach muscles. Do not bend your knees. Hold this position for five seconds, then relax and repeat five times. Keep breathing regularly and evenly throughout.

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Computer Health

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Ponzi just brought in this little pill organizer and plopped it on my desk. You know the kind, there’s seven little compartments marked with the days of the week. I opened it, and thought the woman was trying to kill me with pills! What are all these?

OK, so apparently these are all vitamins! Does the woman think I’m sick or something? What’s that? Oh. She’s trying to keep me from getting sick. Fine, fine ok. Let’s see what we have here.

Hmm. So I have a B Complex vitamin AND a B12 one? What’s the deal with that? Oh, it maintains healthy cells and stuff. Well, I suppose I want my cells to be healthy and stuff.

Let’s see, there’s also some Omega-3, which is the EFA fatty acid one. That’s the one that benefits the heart of healthy people, people at high risk of cardiovascular disease and patients with cardiovascular disease. Yeah, I guess I want my heart to stay healthy. I’ll take that one too, then.

Ohhh. Here’s one that is good for your eyes, and another one that helps metabolism. Wait. Is she saying my metabolism is slow, and I’m getting fat? There’s also a really ugly green one, that Ponzi claims replaces stuff in my body, since I refuse to eat lettuce and green beans and such. I mean really. If God wanted me to eat green things, he would have put them on this Earth. *innocent look*

OH! There’s one that cleans out arteries. Well hell. My arteries are fine! I LIKE the plaque in them. I want some scientist to come out and admit that all the big hoopla scare over clogged arteries was just a bunch of bunk. My arteries love the plaque! They tell me every day.

So seriously, do I NEED all these vitamins? Ah heck, Ponzi heard that. Great. Someone get me a glass of water….

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Men Vitamins for Manly Males

Reposted with permission from blognation.us (which seems to be down at the moment, likely due to the amount of traffic flooding into the site):

At some time between 7:30 and 8:10 AM on Sunday Morning December 2nd, 2007, Marc Orchant, my fellow author on this blog, as well as one of my closest friends sustained a massive heart attack while working in his home office. At this time Marc is in critical condition at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Critical Cardiac Care Unit, Bed 3. He is not expected to regain consciousness for the next 24 to 48 hours.

I was notified by Marc’s wife, Sue and asked to help notify Marc’s colleagues, friends and other business associates. Marc was scheduled to go to Seattle, WA as well as Ojai, CA this coming week. Obviously he will not be able to attend either event. Those of you that have association with either of Marc’s scheduled appearances at these locations, please notify those that require notice of this turn of events.

According to Sue Orchant, Marc was up early Sunday morning as is his normal custom. Sue told me that he was working in his office from about 7:30 AM until 8:10 when Sue says she heard a strange noise in Marc’s office. When she went to investigate she saw that Marc was not sitting in front of the computer like he normally does and was slumped over between his desk and a small couch that is in the room.

Initially, Sue said, she though he was leaning over doing something to their Golder Retriever but then she realized that he was not conscious. Fortunately, Sue has basic medical knowledge and after verifying that Marc was not choking and had a clear airway she began to perform CPR while their son, Jason, called paramedics.

The ambulance arrived in less than 10 minutes and technicians immediately took over performing CPR and administered treatment with a cardiac defibrillator. Marc was rushed into emergency open heart surgery where an angioplasty was performed to restore circulation in the blocked artery.

Sue went on to tell me that in spite of Marc’s apparent good health, he has severe occlusion in both his other arteries and they too will require treatment soon. That, however is a secondary concern as is the condition of Marc’s heart muscle. The primary concern and the question that cannot be answered until Marc regains consciousness is the nature or extent of any neurological damage as a result of insufficient oxygen reaching Marc’s brain.

While Marc still had what appeared to be normal color when Sue found him she is uncertain as to the exact time that Marc suffered the infarction. It is also unknown if Marc had stopped breathing or been without oxygen for any length of time prior to her discovery of the situation.

Currently Marc’s immediate family as well as his brothers and parents are in or on their way to Albuquerque to be with Marc. Sue has asked me to keep Marc’s colleagues and friends in the technology community updated as information becomes available. Please do not contact Sue for updates. I will publish any information that I have in multiple venues to keep people informed of any changes in Marc’s condition.

For those of you that wish to send flowers, cards, or other gifts, Marc is at:

Presbyterian Hospital
Cardiac Care Unit Bed #3
1100 Central Ave SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106

I called the hospital switchboard operator and connected with the CCU – confirming that they are indeed receiving gifts on Marc’s behalf (keeping them at the nearby nurse’s station rather than delivering them to the room at this time).

Marc and I have known each other through the years – and people aren’t kidding when they say he’s one of the the nicest geeks around. Our Tablet PC and Outlook arguments left us with never a dull moment. He finally made it to Gnomedex this year, having blogged about it:

How I got there is a long story – the short version is I made reservations while working full-time for a startup software company on the West Coast and by the time I got to Seattle last week I was engaged in working with a decidedly different, established, and successful software company based on the East coast. One of the big goals in attending Gnomedex 7, as it turned out, was to share with a number of my blogging buddies and software industry friends what I’m engaged in doing these days.

Marc Orchant had a Heart Attack

Chris | Live Tech Support | Video Help | Add to iTunes

http://live.pirillo.com/ – Wirelesspacket shared with us some research he has come across, regarding Laser printers possibly causing health problems.

Four of my friends joined me for this discussion: Kat, SC_Thor, Wirelesspacket, and last but certainly not least… Datalore.

According to several studies, Laser printers can cause health problems. Certain laser printers used in offices and homes release tiny particles of toner-like material into the air that people can inhale deep into lungs where they may pose a health hazard.

Most of the printer-generated particles detected were ultrafine, and such contaminants are easily inhaled into the smallest passageways of the lungs where they could pose ‘a significant health threat.’ Previous studies have focused on emissions of volatile organic compounds, ozone, and toner particles from office printers and copiers. However, the research left broad gaps in scientific understanding of particle emissions and airborne concentrations of particles.

To keep yourself safe, make sure your printer is not right next to you on your desk, and always work in a room with plenty of ventilation.

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Office Laser Printers can be Unhealthy for You

Everybody knows that cigarettes are safe! In fact, the health industry has come out in support of cigarettes several times over. Why would doctors (themselves) smoke if they were bad for you? The conspiracy theory has been debunked already, and you are doing the world a disservice by perpetuating the hoax that cigarettes aren’t good for you. If they caused health problems, don’t you think they would have been banned by now? Really, you should stick to what you know – and leave the doctors to think about your health.

Professional articles have been written, experts have given their unbiased testimonies, and people still want to believe that cigarettes are bad…

Watch your logic, folks. Fifty years from now, I’m guessing that we’ll look at today’s truths as yesterday’s fallacies.

Trust Nobody, Trust Everybody