Killer Death Rays Present Pacemaker Risk! (Or Not?)
I just found this piece of scaremongering prudent advice in the safety instruction manual of my new Toshiba laptop:
Turn Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Wireless WAN Functionalities off for Cardiac Pacemakers Turn Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Wireless WAN Functionalities off when near a person who may have a cardiac pacemaker implant or other medical electric device. Radio waves may affect pacemaker or medical device operation, possibly resulting in serious injury. Follow the instruction of your medical device when using any Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or Wireless WAN Functionality.
With almost every laptop, phone and cafe now omitting these death rays, according to Toshiba the world has become a risky place for pacemaker carriers. In fact, what with Starbucks rolling out Wi-Fi to all its branches, and my mobile's ability to trace Bluetooth devices just about anywhere, it is surprising we don't see the invisible rays striking on every high-street. Either that, or pacemaker users are shunning coffee shops, inhabitable areas, the City of London and the entire rim of the US West Coast, more or less.
But hang on. They're not. So what's the truth here?
The University of Oklahoma researched wireless phones and says: "There is nothing in the comprehensive test data to suggest that a pacemaker wearer is at risk from bystanders using wireless phones. Research confirms that most pacemakers are immune to interference, so elimination of interactions is technically and economically feasible today. Improved pacemaker immunity will benefit pacemaker patients." (source)
Pacemaker makers manufacturers clearly have to include all the usual disclaimers in their manuals, so they aren't necessarily your best source of answers.
And the British Heart Foundation says here:
Mobile phones - Mobile phones can affect some pacemakers if they are held close to the chest. It is therefore best not to carry a mobile phone in a breast pocket. Providing you hold your mobile phone on the opposite side to the pacemaker, at a distance of 15 to 20 centimetres (about 6 to 8 inches), it is unlikely to affect you. The same guidelines apply to portable phones used in the home. If in doubt, ask at your local pacemaker clinic.
MP3 players and palm/pocket PCs - Personal electronic equipment such as iPods and other brands of disk-based or solid state MP3 players and palm/pocket PCs can be used with negligible risk, providing they are not placed directly over the pacemaker. Keeping at least 15 centimetres (6 inches) between the device and your pacemaker avoids the effects of interference.
Wireless LANs used for PC connection -These should not cause interference with pacemakers, but as a precaution it is advisable to keep at least 15 to 20 centimetres (about 6 to 8 inches) between the LAN and your pacemaker.
Interestingly, Indian scientists are actually working on networking pacemakers into Bluetooth mobiles for the devices to be able to alert the hospital automatically if the patient is experiencing cardiac difficulty - so clearly the ominous rays are not all evil.
Then again, if you do want something to panic yourself about (not really, just a little), then the Chicago Tribune suggests you be concerned that your pacemaker may be hacked.
Video Cameras for Cyclists – The New Video Helmet Camera Fashion
Video Cameras for Cyclists - Using video to film your cycling journey and protect you from drivers.
There seems to be a new fashion in England for cyclists to wear helmet cameras. My other half cycles to work, and I was intrigued by this trend. From my experience as a car driver in London, cyclists aren't really catered for by the capital's roads, and drivers are often unaware of them.
The principle of using a video recorder whilst cycling is supposed to fulfil two goals: it helps prove the actions of dangerous car drivers (and sometimes other cyclists), and it might serve as a deterrent if the driver knows his or her actions are being filmed.
It comes out something like this video, which was filmed on Mill Road, Cambridge. The description by the cyclist goes - "Cyclist doesn't indicate intention, keep well clear of other cyclist or look behind while moving out to pass another. Car driver fails to anticipate this is going to be a bad moment to overtake. It's fairly obvious that the faster cyclist is likely to want to pass the other. Would be better to drive more patiently. As usual, car subsequently gained no advantage, waiting over a minute at the next set of traffic lights.":
It seems cyclists are also keen to spot bad driving as well, and there is a spirit of activism to many of the YouTube cyclist helmet videos.
Good cameras seem to start at around £80, and these are the ones I found on Amazon Marketplace (prices correct at time of writing):
ATC2000 Action Helmet Camera 
Manufacturer camera description: The Extreme Cam is a digital video camera that enables the user to capture video clips of their sports activities. After capturing footage, the user can replay the video clips on a television or edit the movie on computer and share the video clips with friends through Internet connection or write back the footage creation to the console for carrying around. After capturing footage, you can replay your video clips on a television, or edit the movie on computer and share the video clips with friends through an internet connection. You can also save the footage back to the console for transport and the ATC-2K works seamlessly with most video editing software. The ATC-2K is a video camera only, it is not possible to take still photos. The ATC-2K will record varying amounts of footage, depending upon the memory card size and quality of video. For example, at 30 frames per second at 640x480, the camera will record 60 minutes of footage to the card. If however you reduce the quality of the recording and use 15 frames per second, it is possible to record up to 794 minutes of footage. Please note: ATC-2K requires a high speed branded Secure Digital card for external storage. Features: Multiple mounting design (bike, helmet, ...etc) Water proof Professional Helmet Cam looking Design 640x480 VGA CMOS sensor 32MB internal memory (NAND flash) SD memory card support up to 2GB USB interface A/V out interface Keys: (3 buttons) Shutter (Movie only) (one or two beeping sounds) Menu (one beeping sound) On/Off/Enter (two beeping sounds) Buzzer for key tones and other alert sounds Internal real time clock Operated by 2 x AA batteries Compatible with Windows XP/2000/Me
Hero Helmet Camera
Manufacturer camera description: Features: 54 min. high quality video w/sound, 3 megapixel sensor with glass lens, 3X sequence photo burst, programmable power off settings, always on mode lasts 3+ hours, mode lock for easy shooting Supports up to 2GB SD, 100? depth glass lens waterhousing, 130g flyweight.
GoPro Helmet Hero Quick Release Video Camera
Manufacturer camera Description: The Helmet HERO 3 is the ultimate waterproof action camera, waterproof down to 30 meters * A 3 mega-pixel waterproof camera, taking still photos and with a built-in 16Mb internal memory, upgradeable to 2gb via SD Card (Optional) * It is also a waterproof video camera and includes various helmet mounting options. * Capacity to shoot 56 minutes of colour TV resolution video when using a 2gb card (512 x 384 pixels), also capturing sound. * Includes 2 Flat surface & curved surface stick on mounts, 1 head mount with strap, 1 x Triple-pivot side arm assembly, 1 x vented helmet strap base mount & straps, 2 x quick release buckles, 1 Pivot adjustment thumb screw & nut.
Ride safely!
Geek Footnote: of course a camera implanted in your head is the first step to joining The Borg.
Table Manners and Etiquette – A Short Summary of How to Behave
Table manners and etiquette - Rules for Children about how to behave around the formal table.
I came across this charming collection of rules and manners for children from the middle ages - this one is an edition from 1701, reproduced by the V&A in 1983. These sort of courtesy books were used by pages, as they climbed up the ladder in the medieval castle to become knights, and be accepted in society.
For the benefit of our modern 'feral society' here is a short extract of rules for children at the dinner table:
Of Behaviour at the Table.
- Come not to the Table unwash'd or not comb'd.
- Sit not down till thou art bidden by thy parents or superiors.
- Be sure thou never sit till Grace be said, and then in thy due place.
- Offer not to carve for thy self, or to take any thing, though it be what thou ever so much desireth.
- Ask not for any thing, but tarry till it be offered thee.
- Find not fault with any thing that is given thee.
- When thou haft meat given thee, be not first to begin to eat.
- Feed thy self with thy two Fingers, and the Thumb of the left hand.
- Speak not at the Table; if thy superiors be discoursing, meddle not with the matter.
- If thou want any thing from the Servants, call to them softly.
- Eat not too fast, or greedily.
- Eat not too much, but moderately.
- Eat not so slow as to make others wait for thee.
- Make not a noise with thy tongue, mouth, lips, or breath, either in eating or drinking.
- Stare not in the face of any one (especially thy superior) at the Table.
- Graese not thy Fingers or Napkin, more than necessity requires.
- Dip not thy Meat in the Sawce.
- Take not salt with a greazy Knife.
- Stuff not thy mouth so as to fill thy Cheeks; be content with smaller Mouthfuls.
- Smell not to thy Meat, nor move it to thy Nose; turn it not the other side upward to view it upon the Plate.
- Spit not forth any thing that is not convenient to be swallowed, as the Stones of Plums, Cherries or such like; but with thy left hand neatly move them to the side of thy plate or trencher. Bend thy Body a little downwards to thy plate, when thou moveth any thing that is sauced to thy mouth.
- Before and after thou drinkest, wipe thy lips with thy Napkin.
- When thanks are to be returned after eating, return to thy place, and stand reverently till it be done, then with a bow withdraw out of the Room, leaving thy superiors to themselves, unless thou be bidden to stay.
You can get a modern-day reproduction of the book (V & A Publications; 4th Ed edition (Dec 1983)) for next to nothing (1p+shipping) at Amazon UK
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Fujifilm FinePix F50fd Digital Camera Review – The difference 12 Megapixels Make
Fujifilm FinePix F50fd Digital Camera - an Honest (though gushing) Review
This is a review of the Fujifilm FinePix F50fd 12 million pixel camera which, at the time of writing, was selling on Amazon UK - here
This isn't one of those technical reviews of lens polarity or whatever it's called. I have no great notions of my own worth when it comes to taking pictures. In fact, I'd probably say I'm the master of point-and-click, and I live by the adage that if I take enough pictures I'm bound to get some good ones, and with today's digital cameras I can take about as many as I like. Statistically I am a good shooter, no matter what.
I bought the Fujifilm FinePix F50fd, because I had to submit some images to official publications, and those taken with our old 5 megapixels kept getting returned to me with the polite "could we please have a higher resolution version of this image?". I needed a camera that took very high resolution pictures, and where the quality of the result improves and bypasses the shooter's lack of skill and eye. The pictures had to be good, which means the lens and whatever automatic magic happens inside the bodywork - it should get me shots of a good enough quality. Not grainy, not fuzzy, and as impressive as possible without too much adjustment. Did I say point-and-click?
And the verdict? The Fujifilm FinePix F50fd doesn't disappoint and takes some mean shots. I've never actually been bothered enough to love a camera. I absolutely love this one. The day shots are crisp and clean, and the night shots exceptionally good. Because of the high resolution, I can enlarge a small detail of a picture and save it - there and then - as a new, high quality pic. It's great. Even better news is that since Fujifilm has launched the next model up ( Fujifilm FinePix F100fd
It has a range of pre-set options (like landscape, or fireworks, or taking pics in the snow) and if you can't be bothered with the settings, you just click the little wheel to automatic, and it does the rest.
The technical detail summary for the FinePix F50fd is as follows:
* 12 megapixel Super CCD HR VII and Real Photo Processor II
* Wide view 2.7-inch high resolution screen
* Advanced hardware-based Face Detection technology (2.0)
* Portrait Enhancer and automatic red-eye removal
* 25MB internal memory plus xD-Picture card, SD and SDHC compatibility
* ISO 100-6400
* 3.0x optical zoom
* Playback features including Face Zoom and Micro Thumbnail (100 shot) view
* IR Communication (IR simple)
* VGA movie capture of 30 frames per second with sound
* PictBridge™ compatible for direct printing without a PC
Danny rating: 5 out of 5.
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IwantGreatCare.org – “rate your doctor” – will it go up in flames of libel?
IwantGreatCare.org was launched in the UK as a service allowing patients to rate their doctors online. Patients can rate doctors out of 100 on "trust", "listening" and recommended categories, and then leave comments about the doctors that they have rated.
Every time I consult to website owners about user generated content, one of the first points I assess risk on is libel. Some of the key questions are:
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a. How risky is the subject matter and how likely is it to land you in court for libel.
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b. What sort of mechanisms do you have to remove libel promptly (and how prompt is 'promptly').
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c. What sort of defences do you have in law if you are taken to court.
When the subject matter is people in a service profession, especially as personal as healthcare, libel is all but inevitable. Emotions tend to run high, and commentary becomes heated and very personal.
My experience also shows that people who are happy with a service are much less likely to comment on it online compared to those who are aggrieved or unhappy. Although some patients might go online to defend their GP, it is those with a grudge or misgiving who will carry the site, and it is often bad reviews that get the most focus.
To complicate things further, the kind of anonymity offered by IwantGreatCare.org produces a mistrust effect. When you see a good review, you wonder if it is real or produced by allies (or the practitioner themselves) to defend a reputation. When a bad review appears, it could well be a disgruntled colleague, not just a patient.
The risk is higher in the case of IwantGreatCare.org, because not only does it allow you to rate your doctor numerically, but it also lets you leave a comment. This is where patients and upset relatives will vent, like the example I found on the site for a certain doctor (whom I shall not name): "I went to see the doctor on behalf of my mother who is schizophrenic. He refused to listen to the issues i needed to discuss and was very very patronising and arrogant. I am not stupid - i have a doctorate in science and have published in many scientific journals - yet i was not listened to and the arrogance of Dr (Name) was unbelievable. He actually left me in tears as I left the surgery. I would recommend that anyone needing healthcare in (Place name) avoid him at all costs." If it were just numbers, perhaps it would have made it a little easier to defend in a libel case, but words to this effect cannot be taken back easily.
Then there is the question of prompt removal of libel, and how effective it is. I suspect that someone advised IwantGreatCare.org that they have a defence in law because they are not a publisher, as long as they remove content reported to them promptly. This may be the case when you run an online forum or community, but based on conversations with some of the most experienced libel lawyers in the country, I am not convinced that this argument would protect IwantGreatCare.org in court. The facts of the matter are:
- The site invites very specific content - the rating of doctors. It doesn't open a wide avenue of discussions, it isn't a general debate about doctors - it is inviting praise or criticism. A judge may well see this as implying responsibility for the content.
- a site run by "a small team", as IwantGreatCare.org describes itself, does not have the resource for immediate removal of reported content. Again, they may have been advised that "a reasonable time" for removal of content is not defined in law and that some legal experts suggest 72 hours, but in fact, and bearing in mind the point above about the kind of content invited, by the time a piece of content is removed, it may be too late to completely eradicate it from the Internet. The comment about Dr X that I quoted above has since been removed from the site, but still lives in Google's cache. If it is quoted by other sites and related to IwantGreatCare.org, then it will have left the control of the site, and the extent of the libel will have increased significantly. Even if removed, the originator would still be where it started, and I doubt if best efforts would defend the site from responsibility.
The IwantGreatCare.org is still in beta, and is already creating a storm of outrage within the medical profession. If it actually makes it to a full launch and gains some traction, I would not be surprised if it had to defend a libel case within its first 18 months.
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SEO and Journalism: “Online POKER marketing could spell the NAKED end of VIAGRA journalism as we LOHAN know it”
I wanted to highlight an excellent article by Charlie Brooker about the impact of SEO requirements and the pressures of web-traffic-oriented journalism on the quality of news.
The article sets out to demonstrate its premise with the first paragraph and then explains it:
"Miley Cyrus, Angelina, Israel vs Palestine, iPhone, 9/11 conspiracy, Facebook, MySpace, and Britney Spears nude. And not forgetting Second Life, Paris Hilton, YouTube, Lindsay Lohan, World of Warcraft, The Dark Knight, Radiohead and Barack Obama. Oh, and great big naked tits. In 3D.
Let me explain. Last week, I wrote a piece on 9/11 conspiracy theories which virtually broke the Guardian website as thousands of "truthers" (painfully earnest online types who sincerely believe 9/11 was an inside job) poured through the walls to unfurl their two pence worth. Some outlined alternative "theories". Some mistakenly equated dismissing the conspiracy theories with endorsing the Bush administration. Some simply wailed, occasionally in CAPITALS. Others, correctly, identified me as a paid-off establishment shill acting under instructions from the CIA."
And its conclusion:
"...your modern journalist is expected not only to shoehorn all manner of hot phraseology into their copy, but to try and position it all in precisely the right place. That's an alarming quantity of unnecessary shit to hold in your head while trying to write a piece about the unions. Sorry, SEXUAL unions. Mainly, though, it's just plain undignified: turning the journalist into the equivalent of a reality TV wannabe who turns up to the auditions in a gaudy fluorescent thong in a desperate bid to be noticed."
The full article can be found here.
How to Embed JavaScript into Wordpress Posts (The Easy Way)
I've been embedding JavaScript into my WordPress posts the hard way for ages. It means creating a separate file to define a function (that is the JS script) and then calling it into the post itself, as explained by the WordPress guys here.
Then, today, I discovered that there is actually a very easy way to integrate JavaScript into WP posts: using Andrew's JavaScript in WordPress Posts Plugin.
You download the plugin, install and activate it the usual way - and... That's it. JavaScript will start working in your posts.
According to some comments on Andrew's blog it doesn't work for everyone, but it worked a treat for me. The little things that make life so much easier. Thanks Andrew, you're an absolute lifesaver!
-- Geeky entry over --
The VPAMAZON Voucher – A Story of Missed Opportunities (or: “how not to market on Google”)
Enter "VPAMAZON" or “VPAMAZON2” into Google to get these great offers, said the promo slip, that arrived with my Amazon book in the post today. It was advertising premium business cards.
I was intrigued by this marketing tactic. Was the advertiser sure that no one else would muscle in on his preferred search terms? So I went and searched for vpamazon, and what I found was even worse than someone muscling in on your turf: it was the advertiser themselves not using their own term in an effective way:
If you look carefully, you will notice that there is a paid ad at the top promoting 90% off business cards, which is where the promoter wanted you to look. The problem with this approach is that most people's eyes are trained to skip ads, and would look at the organic search results first. There they will see a link to an empty website (a Wordpress tag that is empty), and probably now this blog entry.
Even as a savvy web user I went to the Wordpress entry first. Only when I was confused by not finding anything, did I look at the advertising at the top, though some people would miss that altogether. Organic results tend to get most of the eyeballs.
And how to remedy this problem? Easy - just create a page on your site using the terms vpamazon and vpamazon2 like I did here. Duh! Why the advertiser didn't think to do this before launching an expensive Amazon campaign is quite strange indeed... Perhaps now they will...
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