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Monday, May 31, 2010

2 Million iPads in 2 Months

2 Million iPads in 2 MonthsWhile most people were gathered around their barbecues and remembering fallen soldiers, Apple was proclaiming the iPad the greatest computer in the world, ever! OK, not really, but they did announce that since its launch about two months ago, they've sold over two million iPads. The iPad, which shipped on April 3 of this year, hit stores in Europe, Canada, Australia, and Japan just last Friday. Crowds lined the streets in those countries, while the Apple online store has been swamped with purchases - a seven to ten day wait is being placed on new orders.

Steve Jobs talked about the shortage in a statement, "We appreciate patience, and are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone." When announced in January, Wall Street analysts projected the iPad would only sell anywhere from 175,000 to 778,000 units a month. You can bet Steven Jobs is thrilled to prove them wrong.

While the iPad hit stores in April, technically, they could be pre-ordered as early as March 12 in the United States. That was eleven weeks ago. Apple's numbers break down to show that in those eleven weeks, 181,818 iPads were sold per week. If they keep that up for the rest of 2010, the company will sell over 7.6 million of the tablet computers.

But could that number grow even larger? You betcha! Now that sales have expanded to other countries, with nine more countries being added in July and even more later in the year, sales should be a lot higher. Apple is no stranger to these kinds of sales numbers. Last summer, the iPhone 3GS sold over a million units in the first three days they were on the market.



Looking for Computer / PC Rental information? Visit the www.rentacomputer.com PC Rental page for your short term business PC needs. Or see this link for a complete line of Personal Computer Rentals.
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Intel Launches Core i3/i5/i7 Chips for Ultra-Portable Laptops

Intel Core i3/i5/i7 ProcessorsDespite promises of a laptop with an all-day battery life coupled with an inexpensive price, Intel's ultra-low voltage processors, otherwise known as CULVs (Consumer Ultra Low Voltage), haven't exactly been living up to the hype. Part of the reason is that Intel hasn't updated their mobile line of processors with its new Core technology, instead their CULV line has simply been based on Core 2 Duo technology. That is until now.

The chipmaking giant Intel has released their new ulta-low voltage versions of its 32-nm “Nehalem” Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processors. This means that Intel’s premiere mainstream processors have been slightly downsized so they can now be installed inside power-sensitive ultra-portable notebook computers. These new chips not only pack a significant performance punch, which Intel says is about 30% faster than their previous ultra-low-voltage offerings, but also use 15 percent less power in the process. The new chips will be identified from their larger counterparts by their part numbers which will end with the letters "um" (i.e. Intel Core i5-430um or Intel Core i7-640um).

“Consumers crave laptops that offer style and performance, and the new 2010 Intel Core Ultra-Low Voltage processors for ultra-thin laptops delivers both, in one sleek design,” said Intel PC Client Group VP and general manager Mooly Eden, in a statement. “Not only are laptops becoming ultra-portable, but with the new processors inside, users will see faster response times and less waiting.”

Like their bigger brethren, ULV versions of the Intel Core chips will feature Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading technologies enabling the processors to dynamically overclock themselves and devote resources to a single processor core. In addition, the new processors will have a thermal envelope of 17W, which is at least twice as energy efficient as their standard volt Core processors. However, Intel will not be converting its ultra-thin processor offerings completely over to the Core line. ULV versions of the Celeron and Pentium processors will continue to be available to manufacturers and will still be a mainstay among many laptops in the future.

It seems the direction that Intel wants to take its new chips is towards a strange middle ground between very affordable and highly portable, yet slower-performing netbooks and even full-size traditional laptops. The MacBook Air is an example of an ultra-thin laptop that offers powerful portability but is simply too expensive for the average consumer. On the other hand, there is the Toshiba T135 series of ultra-portable laptops which seem to attract far more interest than the Macbook Air for its more reasonable price tag despite being less powerful.

Then there are ultra-thin laptops which tout enhanced performance, such as dual-core Atoms, which offer negligible performance improvements for their cost. It appears that consumers are more interested in average and smaller sized laptops which deliver on affordability. Intel promises that systems will start appearing in June equipped with their new ULV processors, so we'll see soon enough just how they stack up. Already Intel says more than 40 designs based on the chips have been confirmed and are already in the works from makers such as Acer, Lenovo, Asus, and MSI.

Looking for Computer / PC Rental information? Visit the www.rentacomputer.com PC Rental page for your short term business PC needs. Or see this link for a complete line of Personal Computer Rentals.
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Happy Memorial Day

As is my tradition, I won't be putting up a tech post today.

Today is when we should think about those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of us.

So I will say thank you to all of those people who laid down their lives for myself and those I love.

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Sunday, May 30, 2010

USB Cufflinks

When you travel and need your laptop, the biggest disaster that can happen is your laptop bag is stolen. Of course, THAT is where your backup is right? Admit it!

But with these clever devices, the backup is always on you and can't be stolen unless someone takes the shirt right off your back!

They are available here and could really save you if you bag is ever lost.
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Saturday, May 29, 2010

Impressions after the Deka Laser Experience

I've been lecturing on lasers for about 10 years now. I love teaching the science and the nuances beneath the sales pitches and sales literature. Lasers are amazing devices and they are changing the practices of doctors who use them and patients who receive the treatment.

The Deka unit performed admirably. It is a CO2 unit which has an affinity for water and bone, but it's first and foremost a soft tissue laser. It comes with a variety of handpieces and tips that allow fairly easy access to anywhere in the oral cavity. It is a "non-contact" laser which means you don't have to touch the tissue to get results. You can affect the tissue from a fairly good distance away.

The unit comes with a fully adjustable firmware package that lets you set the laser to pre-programmed settings or to use your own. It even offers a pulsed mode vs. continuous wave.

I watched a frenectomy, biostimulation of inflamed tissue, and a treatment of perio pockets.

After the observation, we cut on some pig jaws so that I could get the feel of it. It was a short learning curve for me so we moved into live patient treatment. I performed a maxillary frenectomy in less than 5 minutes with no bleeding and only 9mg lidocaine with .0045mg epi.

If you are looking for a soft tissue laser that can perform a variety of soft tissue procedures quickly, then give the folks at Deka a call.
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Friday, May 28, 2010

Massive updates to Propellerhead’s Flagship Software on the Way

New versions of Reason and Record introduce new instruments, groundbreaking new sequencer mode, pitch correction and voice synth, live sampling and much more.

Propellerhead Software today announced it has started beta testing for Reason 5 and Record 1.5. This is the company’s biggest overhaul to its Record - Reason application family so far, introducing new instruments, effects, sequencing and more for composing, beatmaking, loop-mangling, vocal treatment, songwriting and music production.


The new Kong Drum Designer and Dr.OctoRex loop player extend Reason’s instrument arsenal to help you get phenomenal sounding rhythms, drums tracks and beats. Reason 5 and Record 1.5 add a whole new take on sequencing: Blocks—build your songs parts like patterns and string them together for super fast arranging. Neptune, a pitch correction tool and amazing voice synthesizer, turns your less than perfect performance into a great one in no time. Simply play your new harmonies on your MIDI keyboard for instant backing vocals. Live sampling into all sample capable devices means you can work with samples in a new and playful manner and re-explore the lost art of creative sampling. Sci-fi grade multi core optimization, the practical on-screen keyboard and an expanded Factory Sound Bank are just the icing on the cake.

Reason Record Duo feature highlights:
(Click on all Read More links for demo videos!)

• Introducing Kong Drum Designer (Reason


Load, sculpt, build and tweak your sounds with your choice of drum synthesis, sampling, REX loops, physical modeling and custom-made effect modules for percussion on Kong’s 16 pads.
Read more…

• Dr.REX octuples into DrOctoRex Loop Player (Reason)


No matter how you use it—as a pattern sequencer for loops, or to completely mangle your REX’ed audio – it is guaranteed to inspire.
Read more…

• New Neptune Pitch Adjuster and Voice Synth Device (Record)


Super flexible high-quality processor to correct and shift pitches, create backing harmonies, formant shift or take your vocals into outer space
Read more…

• Block based pattern sequencing mode makes song creation fast and flexible (Both)
Go from pattern-based arrangements to linear—to patterns again. Take your music beyond the eight bar loop.
Read more…

• Live sampling is back! In the rack! (Reason)
Re-explore the lost art (and fun) of sampling. Every sample player becomes a sampler; record with a single click — further tweak with the built-in editor.
Read more…

• A number of other additions that guarantee to make your music making more fun
Multi-core optimization, on-screen keyboard and expanded Factory Sound Bank, many more too numerous to name.

More info on the upgrades and individual products themselves can be found at: www.propellerheads.se

Pricing and availability
The release for all programs is targeted for later summer 2010. Upgrades will be handled by local distributors once new version become available. All prices remain the same, except for Reason for Record Owners, which will increase by £20 SRP + VAT. If you're an existing Reason owner who hasn't upgraded to Record yet, buy the Record for Reason Owners sidegrade now at the current lower price of just £100 SRP + VAT and get free updates to both Reason 5 and Record 1.5.

Record for Reason Owners Sidegrade (includes Reason 5 upgrade) - £120 SRP + VAT
Reason 5 Upgrade from any version - £75 SRP + VAT
Record 1.5 Upgrade from any version free download
Record Reason Duo - £300 SRP + VAT
Reason - £255 SRP + VAT
Record - £200 SRP + VAT

Don’t wait!
Anyone who purchases Reason, Record, the Duo or Record for Reason Owners today will get an upgrade to the new versions free of charge. For more details, visit www.propellerheads.se/freeupgrade

About Propellerhead Software
Formed in 1994, Propellerhead Software is a privately owned company based in Stockholm, Sweden. Renowned for its musician-centric approach, Propellerhead has created some of the world's most innovative music software applications and technology standards. Musicians, producers and the media have praised Record, Reason, ReCycle and ReBirth applications for being inspiring, great sounding and of superior quality. Technologies such as ReWire and the REX file format are de-facto industry standards, implemented in all major music software. Today, Propellerhead’s products are used all over the world by hundreds of thousands of professionals and enthusiasts for all kinds of music making.



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Deka Smart US20D CO2 Laser

Being the diehard I am, I'm starting out the Memorial Day Weekend with a course on the Deka Smart US20D CO2 Laser. Later this morning I'll be at the office of my good buddy Dr. Terry Myers in Belton, MO for a lecture and hands-on time with the device.

If you follow my Twitter feed, I'll try to send out some pics of what we're doing...
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Thursday, May 27, 2010

Microsoft TAG

Beta end

http://tag.microsoft.com/overview.aspx

Enjoy

 

sAnTos

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Facebook CEO announces revamped privacy settings

Facebook CEO announces revamped privacy settings: "Facebook's founder presented new one-click options Wednesday to help subscribers protect their privacy, responding to a torrent of complaints that it had become far too hard to determine and control levels of protection."
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Sopro LIFE Evaluation is Complete

Since mid-February I've been using and tinkering with Acteon's SoproLIFE caries detection system. The device received FDA approval in January 2010, so I was fortunate enough to be one of the first to use it.

Impressions
  1. A nice 2 in 1 device that features visual caries detection and an intraoral camera in the same unit. Simply pushing a button shifts it from detection to I/O camera and back again.
  2. The clinical images are impressive. In both modes the photos are clear. Acteon makes great intraoral cameras with superb optics.
  3. Caries detection is reliable with glowing red being seen where decay is present.
  4. Use during treatment is predictable. The device has an adjustment for the focal length so that the depth of field is clear when working in proximal boxes or deep carious lesions. Using the device to check for caries during prepping is faster and more reliable than caries detector solutions.
  5. The images can be saved so that areas can be monitored over time if the doctor chooses remineralization therapy.

Drawbacks
  1. While the fluorescence images are nice, the device does not have the ability via software to produce "weather radar" maps of decay.
  2. The capture button on the device is actually an area where you swipe a finger to freeze and capture. I've found this to be a bit touchy which means I usually end up taking some pictures that have no value. They are easy to delete, but it would be nice if they didn't get taken to begin with.

Overall

A strong product which performs as advertised. Having 2 cameras in one is a big plus. Patient education would be easier with the "weather radar", but patients can still understand the images. If you are in the market for a caries detection system, you should put Acteon's Sopro LIFE on your list to check out.
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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

JBL Professional launches new PRX600 Series

JBL Professional are pleased to announce its highly evolved PRX600 Series active portable loudspeakers. The new PRX600 Series offers unparalleled power, rugged durability and incredible versatility for any small to mid-sized live sound environment.


The new PRX600 Series comprises four full-range cabinets (PRX612M, PRX615M, PRX625, PRX635) and two subwoofers (PRX618S and PRX618S-XLF). Utilizing tour-tested JBL Differential Drive® speaker technology, dbx® Type IV™ limiting circuitry and Crown® award-winning class-D amplifiers, the PRX600 Series delivers uncompromised performance in a package that is light, small and professional in both function and appearance. At the core of the PRX line is a fully integrated DSP input section providing mic/line level input, selectable system EQ and a premium A/D converter for a maximum signal-to-noise ratio.

“We designed the PRX600 Series from the ground up to perform in the real world of sound reinforcement where challenging audio environments, high ambient noise levels and loud volumes are the norm,” said Richard Ruse, Director of Marketing, Portable PA, JBL Professional. “Regardless of audio system requirements, the JBL PRX600 Series offers a decidedly powerful, rugged and versatile solution!”

In addition to Crown amplifiers, the PRX600 Series loudspeakers utilize new, ultra-low noise A/D converters that reduce idle noise and improve the overall spectral balance and audio performance of the speakers. The entire line has been re-voiced for better clarity and tone and, with the addition of a new, professionally discrete appearance and strategically located M-10 suspension points on the full-range cabinets, the PRX600 Series is ideal for installation in any commercial facility or house of worship. The new models are at least 15 percent lighter and 20 percent smaller than their predecessors, making them the “performance-to-weight” ratio leaders in their class.

In addition to meeting the performance requirements for the PRX600 Series, JBL accepted a new challenge to meet Harman’s “Green Edge” promise of being environmentally responsible. The new speakers require less wood and less plastic than their predecessors, use less energy to build and will use less fuel (due to the lower weight) to transport than previous models.

All PRX600 Series loudspeakers include: proprietary JBL Differential Drive® neodymium woofers; powder-coated, obsidian, 16-gauge perforated steel grilles; obsidian DuraFlex™ finish; integrated handles with backing cups; commercial-grade, lightweight, multi-layer, 18 mm plywood cabinetry; tongue and groove construction; dual 36 mm pole sockets on the PRX612M and PRX615M; single 36 mm pole sockets on the PRX635/PRX618S; and an M20 pole socket on the PRX618S-XLF.

More information:
http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/General/ProductFamily.aspx?FId=93&MId=3


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CFP: MIDWEST CHAPTER/MLA & WHSLA

CFP: MIDWEST CHAPTER/MLA & WHSLA
2010 ANNUAL MEETING
CALL FOR PAPERS AND POSTERS

The Program Committee invites proposals for contributed papers and posters for the 2010 Annual Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin from September 24-28 at the Best Western Inn on the Park. Put on your walking shoes and join us in the heart of Madison.

The conference theme of "Step Up, Step Forward" lends itself to a variety of topics, and provides opportunities for presenters to: share ways they have advocated for their patrons, been involved in improving literacy, overcame current financial challenges, or improved collaborations beyond the library; showcase how they provide new and exciting ways to delivery library services, share innovative uses of technology both within and outside the library walls, or provide a glimpse into the future.

Papers and posters may highlight practical problem-solving approaches, document collaborative efforts or outreach activities, describe innovative programs, or report on research in librarianship, resources or services. Contributed paper and poster topics are as unlimited as your imagination.

Contributed papers will be presented on Sunday, September 26th and Monday, September 27th at both morning and afternoon simultaneous sessions.

Posters will be on display on Monday, September 27th from noon until 6:00 pm.
Presenters should be available to discuss their posters during the poster reception from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm on September 27th.

For contributed paper proposals, submit a 250 word abstract to describe your paper. Include your name, position title, address, phone number and email address. The abstract should be emailed to finnegan.brian@marshfieldclinic.org or mailed to: Brian Finnegan, G.E. Magnin Medical Library, Marshfield Clinic, 1000 North Oak Ave, Marshfield, WI 54449-5460.

For poster proposals, submit a 250 word abstract to describe your poster.
Include your name, position title, address, phone number and email address. The abstract should be emailed to finnegan.brian@marshfieldclinic.org or mailed to: Brian Finnegan, G.E. Magnin Medical Library, Marshfield Clinic, 1000 North Oak Ave, Marshfield, WI 54449-5460.

The deadline for abstract submission is June 30, 2010
Notifications of paper/poster acceptance/rejection will be made by July 16, 2010
http://midwestmla.org/conference2010/call.html
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CFP: Internet Reference Services Quaterly

CFP: Internet Reference Services Quaterly

The editor of Internet Reference Services Quarterly seeks manuscripts for Volume 15 (2010) and 16 (2011). The journal covers all aspects of reference service provided via the Internet.

Why publish in IRSQ?
o Peer reviewed
o Four-week initial review process
o Editorial support for new authors
o Narrow scope focuses on web technologies as they relate to reference services
o Wide audience of all library types and disciplines – public, academic, special, humanities, science, etc.

More information for authors is available at the journal website -
http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/journal.asp?issn=1087-5301&subcategory=AH250000&linktype=44

Contact the editor with questions or to discuss your manuscript.

Manuscripts are accepted on a rolling basis. Manuscripts that have completed the review process by the dates below will be published in the corresponding issue listed.

Review completed by September 21 – published in December Vol 15 (4)
Review completed by December 9 – published in March 2011 Vol 16 (1)

This journal is published by the Taylor & Francis Group, with offices in Philadelphia, London, and other countries. Request a free online issue at the journal website
http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/journal.asp?issn=1087-5301&subcategory=AH250000.

Brenda Reeb
Editor, Internet Reference Services Quarterly
Director, Business & Government Information Library
River Campus - Rhees 210
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY 14627
voice 585-275-8249
email brenda.reeb@rochester.edu
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DentLight Nano Undergoing Clinical Testing

DentLight Nano.jpgNewImage.jpg











For the next few weeks, I'll be using and evaluating the DentLight Nano LED light. It is a high powered LED that can be mounted to your operating telescopes or to a headband.

For regular readers, you know how passionate I am about LED's in general. It is a light emitting diode world and they are only getting better and more plentiful. The time will come in the not too distant future when the incandescent bulb goes the way of the 8-Track tape.

The Nano is incredibly light and incredibly bright. That's a combination that makes it intriguing to say the least. It also comes with 2 battery packs that are slim and light, but can power the light for an entire day.

While not as bright as my Orascoptic Zeon Discovery, I'm looking forward to putting it through it's paces and see how it works for me. The stats for the device are listed below.

DentLight Nano Stats.jpg

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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Swap and Shop Materials Needed! PR-exchange at ALA Annual

Swap and Shop Materials Needed! PR-exchange at ALA Annual

Does your library produce interesting, eye-catching, beautiful bookmarks, brochures, fliers, posters, magnets, and other materials to promote your library’s wonderful services and resources? Do you have extra inventory you can spare? If so, please contribute them to the Swap and Shop: PR X-Change at this year’s American Library Association annual conference in Washington. This is your chance to inspire your colleagues, and show off your great work to the nearly 1,000 library professionals who attend the event each year to collect samples of promotional materials and to network with others.

To contribute materials, please send boxes with the attached mailing label. Materials need to be received by June 16, 2010.

For those of you attending the conference, please join us at the Swap and Shop: PR X-Change event, located by the special events area in the Exhibit Hall between 11:00 and 1:30 on Sunday, June 27th, to pick up great promotional materials from North American libraries of all types.

This year’s Swap and Shop will also feature book signings by Peggy Barber author of Building a Buzz: Libraries & Word-of-Mouth Marketing and Nancy Dowd author of Bite-Sized Marketing: Realistic Solutions for the Overworked Librarian (attendees receive a special discount), social networking talk tables, as well as the Best of Show awards ceremony at 12:30pm.

Swap and Shop: PR X-Change is an ongoing library marketing and public relations event held annually at ALA. It is sponsored by the Library Leadership Administration and Management Association.

Thank you for your contributions!

Jennifer Duvernay
Marketing and Outreach Officer
ASU Libraries
Arizona State University
Jennifer.Duvernay@asu.edu
480/727-7636
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Enterprise Architecture Links

hello

 

That is

All links together

http://www.ewita.com/links/links.htm

 

sAnTos

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Let’s Talk CTO and Enterprise Architecture

http://jefferyhaynes.net/2010/01/03/lets-talk-cto-and-enterprise-architecture/

 

…But a CTO would be useless without an EA.  An EA looks inward, while a CTO looks outward.  …..

EA 0profession

sanTos

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Onkyo's E713A9B All-In-One PC

Onkyo All-In-One E713A9B PCOnkyo, famous for their construction of numerous iPod docks, has just stepped up their game another level with their newest creation, an all-in-one PC centered around, you guessed it, an iPod dock. The newest PC, just announced today, has been dubbed the E713A9B. The PC is powered by an Intel Core i5-650 CPU at 3.20GHz. The E713A9B also comes in with 4GB of RAM upgradeable to 8GB, 1TB of HDD, a 23-inch LCD display and full 1920x1080 full HD resolution.

But the E713A9B isn't done there, the PC also comes with a Blu-Ray disc drive, the DTS Premium Suite Audio Codec, 2x5 watt speakers, 1.3 megapixel webcam, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 eSATA port, 1 HDMI port, b/g/n Wi-Fi, digital TV tuner, an SDXC memory card slot, Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit and, of course, the iPod docking station which slides out of the right side of the screen.

The iPod dock is specifically designed to accommodate the iPod Classic, the iPod Nano and the iPod Touch. For those observant ones of you out there, you may have noticed that I did not mention the iPhone. That is because the all-in-one E713A9B's iPod dock is apparently unable to house the bulky frame of the iPhone. It seems strange that an "all-in-one" PC would exclude one of Apple's biggest and most popular products.

Nevertheless, the specs for the E713A9B are intense and seem to be most everything you would want in a desktop PC. The desktop has great memory, an excellent hard drive and some other really good specs and the iPod dock is the cherry on top. For those of you that live in Japan, you will be able to get your hands on the E713A9B next month for a price of ¥99,880, or $1,100 U.S. All of us over here in America, however, will have to wait as Onkyo has yet to announce an America release date.

Looking for Computer / PC Rental information? Visit the www.rentacomputer.com PC Rental page for your short term business PC needs. Or see this link for a complete line of Personal Computer Rentals.
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CFP: Cloud computing for library services (ALA Annual)

CFP: Cloud computing for library services (ALA Annual)
Saturday, June 26th, 2010 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
WCC-143A

Please join us for the LITA / ALA session on cloud computing to be held during the ALA Annual Conference, June 26, 2010. The session is seeking participants to give lightning round (5 minute) presentations on your work or research on cloud computing.

To sign-up visit http://groups.google.com/group/alacloud/, join the group, and add your name to the lightning-round page http://groups.google.com/group/alacloud/web/lightning-round-sign-up-page.

Please direct any questions to Erik Mitchell (mitcheet@wfu.edu)

Full session description:
This session will discuss how libraries can use cloud computing resources to deliver innovative, cost-effective, and scalable services. The session will include two panel discussions and participant lightning round. The panel discussions will focus on trends, uses, and case studies of cloud computing in library environments. Panel presenters include both library and IT industry
experts. A call for lightning round participants will be issued at a later date.Speakers: Marshall Breeding, Vanderbilt University, Director for Innovative Technologies and Research; Chris Tonjes, Director of Information Technology, District of Columbia Government; Leslie Johnston, Library of Congress, Digital Media Project Coordinator

A complete schedule of LITA events is available at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/lita/litaevents/annual2010/schedule.cfm

--
Erik Mitchell, Ph.D.
Assistant Director for Technology Services
Z. Smith Reynolds Library
Wake Forest University
http://erikmitchell.info
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Call for Papers Code4Lib Journal (C4LJ)

Call for Papers Code4Lib Journal (C4LJ)

The Code4Lib Journal (C4LJ) exists to foster community and share information among those interested in the intersection of libraries, technology, and the future.

The Code4Lib Journal is now accepting proposals for publication in its 8th issue. Don't miss out on this opportunity to share your ideas and experiences. To be included in the 11th issue, which is scheduled for publication in mid September 2010, please submit articles, abstracts, or proposals at http://journal.code4lib.org/submit-proposal or to c4lj-articles@googlegroups.com
by Friday, June 18, 2010. When submitting, please include the title or subject of the proposal in the subject line of the email message.

C4LJ encourages creativity and flexibility, and the editors welcome submissions across a broad variety of topics that support the mission of the journal. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

* Practical applications of library technology (both actual and hypothetical)
* Technology projects (failed, successful, or proposed), including how they were done and challenges faced
* Case studies
* Best practices
* Reviews
* Comparisons of third party software or libraries
* Analyses of library metadata for use with technology
* Project management and communication within the library environment
* Assessment and user studies

C4LJ strives to promote professional communication by minimizing the barriers to publication. While articles should be of a high quality, they need not follow any formal structure. Writers should aim for the middle ground between blog posts and articles in traditional refereed journals. Where appropriate, we encourage authors to submit code samples, algorithms, and pseudo-code. For more information, visit C4LJ's Article Guidelines or browse articles from the first 9 issues published on our website: http://journal.code4lib.org.

Remember, for consideration for the 8th issue, please send proposals, abstracts, or draft articles to c4lj-articles@googlegroups.com no later than Friday, June 18, 2010.

Send in a submission. Your peers would like to hear what you are doing.

Kelley McGrath
Coordinating Editor, Issue 11
Code4Lib Journal
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GPS Overhaul is on Its Way - With an 8 Billion Dollar Price Tag


The GPS (Global Positioning System) has become a little like air or sunshine these last few years... so common and ubiquitous that you don't even think about it. The other day, I got in the Tahoe and it took about 1 minute before the system could lock onto the satellites and I remember thinking, "This is taking forever. What is going on?"

We've all (or most of us) have become so reliant on the system that we don't even think about it. Cell phones, cars, UPS, even the watch I wear when I run can access the satellites for instant location services.

Now the system is getting an upgrade that will make it much more accurate and much more reliable. It will cost 8 billion dollars, but when you really think about what it does, the world cannot do without it.

For a great article on the service and the upgrade, check out this article in the LA Times.
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Monday, May 24, 2010

http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/channels/Fundraising/Article/1005017/little-four-fifths-money-donated-text-reaches-good-causes/

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Steve Booker, Duffy co-writer and producer, goes out of the box with SSL Matrix

At a time when many producers are choosing to mix completely inside the box, Steve Booker has done just the opposite. The award-winning songwriter and producer recently invested in a Solid State Logic Matrix mixing console and 16 channels of X-Rack dynamics and EQ for his London-based studio.


In a career that’s spanned several decades, Steve has been responsible for penning and producing tracks for a wealth of a-list musical talent, including the likes of Noisettes, Alexander Burke, Westlife and Sugababes. But it was with Duffy’s Mercy that he’s notched up his greatest success – even scooping an Ivor Novello award for Most Performed Work.

“I worked purely in the box until a couple of years ago… and I had decided that I simply wasn’t coming out of the box for anybody! And the technology was coming my way, there was new stuff coming out all the time. But despite that I was still looking for something. A controller, really… I was just looking for a great controller.”

“And that’s when I decided to try out SSL’s Matrix. Of course, when we set it up I realised that just using it as a controller was barely scratching the surface. Matrix could help me bring some other stuff in to play, which is when I decided to add 16 channels of dynamics and EQ to the set up with SSL’s modular X-Rack.”

“So now I’m in love with the whole thing. Sure, I just wanted the buttons and the flashing lights to start with, but I think probably within days I’d moved on to using everything it does. Now everything goes through it. It’s my perfect little set up.”

Read the full story here:
http://www.soundtech.co.uk/ssl/news/steve-booker-matrix-x-rack


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Pandora Handheld Comes to Market... but Why?

Here's a photo of the open source Pandora handheld. Supposedly you'll be able to purchase one of these soon. My question is... Why?

I mean I love Pandora. I listen at the office, at home, and other places. That should be an indication. Pandora is pretty much everywhere already isn't it? I have a Pandora app on my iPod touch. There's even a Pandora app for my Palm Pre for crying out loud.

The point is, when you can already get Pandora on almost any mobile platform available, do you really need a Pandora specific device? While I applaud the innovation (I'm a gadget guy after all), this just looks to me like a solution looking desperately for a problem.

I'd love to have one to tinker with, but I won't be in line to purchase.
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Sunday, May 23, 2010

Bridging the gap between gaming and learning, You Rock Guitar is Gadget of the Week in Sunday Times

Sound Technology Ltd is delighted to announce the UK launch of Inspired Instrument's You Rock Guitar, a digital guitar and game controller. Securing distribution into both the MI and consumer electronics channels earlier this year, Sound Technology's launch publicity began yesterday, Sunday 23rd May, with the You Rock Guitar securing "Gadget of the Week" in the Sunday Times and a live appearance on BBC TV's "Something for the Weekend".


You Rock Guitar is a digital guitar with three very special tricks. Firstly it's a game controller for the world's biggest selling music games. Secondly it's a digital guitar to bridge the gap between gaming and learning. And thirdly it's a MIDI/USB guitar, ideally designed for today’s digital music creators.

Game Mode: Rock Band and Guitar Hero, and with strings attached
You Rock Guitar is a ‘proper’ stringed controller compatible with Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Its steel strings and full-size neck mean gamers finally get the performance and feeling of a real guitar. Two sets of colour-coded frets on the neck replicate the buttons on a standard gaming guitar, and the GameFlex cartridges work seamlessly with the leading gaming platforms (PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360). 
 


You Rock Mode: learn on a guitar that doesn’t hurt your fingers and that is always in tune

First-time guitarists and gamers can immediately start playing real musi. Plug 
into any guitar amplifier, or into headphones, and the guitar's music loops let players go solo or strum 
along to pre-loaded seminal chord progressions that changed the world. Mistakes are impossible with 
the guitar's You Rock Mode – only the frets that work with chord progressions will sound – and playing 
a wrong note only triggers an error sound, just like the video games. Even better, You Rock Guitar 
never needs tuning and you never need to change the strings. 


Guitar Mode: hook-up to your Apple portable and get jamming 

Players can play solo, or plug-in an iPod, iPhone or other MP3 player, and jam to their favourite tunes. 
The whammy bar means up and down pitch-bending, and the full-scale neck enables notes without 
latency. In addition to 99 preset guitar and synth sounds, players get 50 alternate and drop tuning 
presets along with 14 digital capos. It plugs directly into the USB port on Macs and PCs for use with 
music making programmes such as GarageBand, Logic, Cubase and Reason. The guitar runs on USB 
or batteries, making it the take anywhere song writing tool. The removable neck means it fits luggage racks and 
backpacks, while the onboard MIDI recorder captures your song anywhere, anytime.



The You Rock Guitar will be available in the UK from late June 2010 priced at £199 inc VAT.

For more information please call Sound Technology Ltd on 01462 480000 or visit www.you-rock.co.uk


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White iPhone on the Horizon?


Although I can't confirm anything, because after all it's Apple and who can really ever confirm an Apple rumor? Website Apple.pro is showing a white iPhone that is supposedly the next version of iPhone (4.0) that is due to be announced in a couple of weeks.

Is it real? Hard to say, but it sure looks real. Of course with photoshop, anything can.
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Saturday, May 22, 2010

Mega-Collaboration Power with MultiMouse

multimouseBartels Media has developed and recently released a program that allows up to 50 different Windows users to all control the desktop of one central computer. This can be extremely useful for collaborating, training, brainstorming, and document building.

So how exactly does this work? Well, MultiMouse uses a wireless or Ethernet connection that transmits each user’s mouse movements and text inputs. Other than having one of these two connections, no other additional hardware is necessary for MultiMouse to be completely functional. Also, so as to avoid confusion, each users cursor has a nametag so everyone will know who is sharing what.

This program is available at a starting price of $139. This version includes a five user license, but versions of the program can be purchased to accommodate up to 50 users. Teacher’s are even given an educational discount. To learn more about MultiMouse check out the trial version that can be downloaded the MultiMouse website.

Looking for Computer / PC Rental information? Visit the www.rentacomputer.com PC Rental page for your short term business PC needs. Or see this link for a complete line of Personal Computer Rentals.
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Call for Presenters: "Mobile Catalog Interfaces"

Call for Presenters: "Mobile Catalog Interfaces"
URL: http://connect.ala.org/node/103162

ALCTS Catalog Form and Function Interest Group
ALA Annual, Washington, DC
Saturday 6/26/10 10:30 am-12:00 noon
HILTON WASHINGTON—Columbia 5

The ALCTS Catalog Form & Function Interest Group is looking for presenters for its session at ALA Annual, to be held from 10:30 to 12:00 on Saturday, June 26th. CFFIG, is interested in exploring the relationship between the mobile catalog interface, discovery tools, and the local catalog. Our topic will be "Mobile Catalog Interfaces," and we are currently looking for presenters for this session. Presentations should be approximately 15 minutes in length with 10 minutes for follow-up questions. Discussion will focus on integration of a mobile catalog interface with platforms such as: Summon, Ebscohost Integrated Search, World Cat Local, Endeca, Encore, AquaBrowser, and the local catalog. Suggestions for approaches to the presentations might include:
-Mobile catalog interface design strategies and challenges
-Do mobile catalog interfaces meet end user needs?

The level of discussion will be determined by the level of interest/involvement of you, the presenter! So please indicate your interest in presenting to Richard Guajardo, Chair, CFFIG (guajardo@uh.edu) by May 28th.
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Curve Dental Founder, Matt Dorey, Launches Blog, “Why I Bleed Orange”

I've been fortunate to know the people at Curve Dental. Some before Curve was ever dreamed of and some after the company was founded. What I've discovered is a group of really good people who are singly committed to the cause of bringing a web based dental software to the market. Being a small company, Curve Dental dental works a little differently than a large company. That major thing that means in a difference in culture. Here's the latest press release to give you a better idea of what I mean:


New blog documents the whiz kid entrepreneur’s journey to revolutionize dental software


OREM, UT—Curve Dental, developers of Web-based dental software announced the launch of Why I Bleed Orange, the personal blog of Matt Dorey, the company’s Founder and Managing Director. The blog’s address is www.mattdorey.com.

“The purpose of my blog is to provide transparency in our goal to revolutionize dental software,” said Dorey. “Through my posts I hope doctors will be able to see deep down inside and understand what I’m doing. As a person, I avoid corporate speak and instead try to deliver the real deal. My journey is an entrepreneurial journey; dentists are small business owners and they may be surprised by how easily they’ll relate to my experiences.”

Dorey’s blog is a personal journal chronicling his travels, meetings, observations, and discussions with dental professionals from all over. “I travel all across North America and spend a lot of time in dental practices visiting with doctors and staff,” said Dorey. “I’ve been honored to eat dinner with the family, spend a night in the guest bedroom and experience the dentists’ needs, stuff you won’t get by sending a customer survey every year.” The title of the blog, Why I Bleed Orange, references Curve Dental’s choice in corporate colors.

Curve Dental plans to launch a company blog that will involve all of the company’s employees, include guest writers from key opinion leaders within the dental profession and provide company announcements and news. Every employee will be given the opportunity to contribute to the blog. The company is also working on a Facebook page. The company blog and Facebook page will be launched in June 2010. The company has a Twitter account and frequently posts messages on Dental Town.

About Curve Dental, Inc.
Founded in 2005, Curve Dental provides web-based dental software and related services to dental practices within the United States and Canada. With Web-based software, the dental practice can improve efficiencies, increase productivity and realize work and lifestyle goals due to the software’s flexibility. The company is privately-held, headquartered in Orem, Utah with offices in Calgary, Canada and Dunedin, New Zealand. Dentists can call 888-910-4376 or visit www.curvedental.com for more information.
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Friday, May 21, 2010

UK charity ships Internet cafe in a box | THINQ.co.uk

UK charity ships Internet cafe in a box | THINQ.co.uk: "UK charity Computer Aid International today unveiled a solar-powered Internet caf�in a box, designed to bring the web to remote villagers in Africa.

The box in question is a standard shipping container kitted out with a Pentium 4 PC and enough NComputing netbooks for ten users, all powered by a bank of solar panels on the roof. It's the second such unit the charity has produced, and was shown off in London today before being sent to its eventual destination in Kenya."
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Sirona Dental Systems Celebrates 25 Years of CAD/CAM Excellence and Leadership

It seems like only yesterday that I was in dental school hearing one of my last fixed prosthetics lectures. The professor was talking about this machine that was being tested in Germany that could take pictures of teeth and then mill out a porcelain restoration. I remember him saying, "We don't know for sure, but there may come time before you retire that you won't need to take an impression." My first thought was "I've got to get one of those!"

Well, here it is 25 years later and the concept of digital impressions has been a reality for a very long time. To mark this momentous occasion, Sirona is hosting a big shindig to say Happy 25th Birthday CEREC. Read on for details:

CEREC® 25th Anniversary Celebration (C25) will be held August 26 – 28th
at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas


Charlotte, NC (May 20, 2010) - Sirona Dental Systems, LLC is celebrating the 25-year anniversary of its CEREC® CAD/CAM system with a three-day CAD/CAM extravaganza geared toward all dental and laboratory professionals.

The milestone CEREC 25th Anniversary Celebration (C25) will take place August 26 – 28th at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Participants can earn up to 18 CE credits while enjoying CAD/CAM-focused workshops, premium entertainment, and plenty of memorable celebrations among luxurious accommodations provided by Caesars Palace.

Following Sirona’s “CAD/CAM for Everyone” philosophy, the CEREC 25th Anniversary program offers an extensive list of CAD/CAM courses for the entire dental team. Programs include clinical techniques, practice management, marketing, hygiene, and hands-on workshops. The celebration is open to all who want to advance their CAD/CAM education and experience. Attendees can also explore the C25 exhibit hall showcasing top dental companies and their products and services.

Sirona plans to present a “who's who” of digital dentistry during the CEREC 25th Anniversary. An outstanding educational curriculum will be taught by the most prominent lecturers in the dental and lab community, including:

Dr. Gordon Christensen
Dr. Rella Christensen
Dr. Dennis Fasbinder
Mr. Jim Glidewell
Dr. Paul Homoly
Mr. Imtiaz Manji
Dr. Edward A. McLaren
Prof. Dr. Albert Mehl
Dr. Mark Morin
Prof. Dr. Werner H. Mörmann
Mr. Bill Mrazek
Dr. Sameer Puri
Mr. Matt Roberts
Dr. David Roessler
Dr. Frank Spear
Mr. Ingo Zimmer, and many more!

Celebrity entertainment includes appearances by Olympic Gold Medalist Rulon Gardner, the Second City Comedy Troupe, and five-time Emmy® Award winning comedian and actor Dennis Miller.

Attendees are also invited to celebrate in style at the sophisticated WHITE PARTY taking place at Pure Nightclub on Saturday night. The WHITE PARTY promises to be the hottest dental event of the decade! An “Entertainment-Only Pass” is also available for a spouse or guest who chooses to attend social events only.

“Attendees have the opportunity to build long-lasting business relationships and join thousands of fellow CEREC and inLab® owners and educators by registering now for this once-in-a-lifetime event,” remarked Michael Augins, President of Sirona Dental Systems. “The C25 celebration is slated to be a great place for additional CAD/CAM education provided by the best in our field, as well as a great open communication forum for Sirona, our colleagues, clients, associates, and other professionals who hold the same interests. This event is intended for everyone, just as one of our top goals in the past 25 years has been providing accessible CAD/CAM for everyone.”

Moreover, doctors and laboratories are encouraged to take advantage of special early registration packages:

Register in the months of May and/or June and receive Thursday (Aug. 26) night free at Caesars with full-price tuition
Sign up in May & June: Bring along 2 staff/lab personnel members at regular tuition rate and get 1 staff member free!
For more information and/or to register for Sirona’s CEREC 25th Anniversary Celebration, please log onto www.CERECVIP.com, or call 877-360-6275.

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Thursday, May 20, 2010

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Social Network Fundraising Creating Jobs

By Mark Hrywna

Nonprofits that have two or more full-time employees managing online communities have the highest level of satisfaction from social networks, according to a new survey. Those organizations also are more likely to measure return on investment (ROI), describe the investment as “very valuable,” and believe their biggest barrier to doing better is not training or education but more staff."
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The Art of Creating a Social Media Press Release

The Art of Creating a Social Media Press Release: "Now everyone has the same technology to create, publish and distribute content. So for an organization’s “news” to stand out, it needs to:

* reach 3 audiences: traditional media, online media bloggers/digital influencers, and the general public.
* be understandable to 3 kinds of readers: humans, search engines, and social networking sites.

A better SMR has 4 elements:"
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Genius Announced USB-Charged Portable Speakers


Genius is the kind of company that makes great niche products. The kind of things we all could use, but we don't always realize it. Then we see the product and say "where has that been all my life?" This latest announcement from the company comes just as summer is about to start. Now that we're all carrying digital music, it's great to have a way to share it with others at barbecues and the pool.



MIAMI (May 19, 2010)– Genius (www.geniusnetusa.com), a brand division of KYE Systems Corp., today announced new additions to the company’s extensive line of speaker systems, the SP-i150 and SP-i160 Portable Speakers with eight hours of built-in battery life and a 1.25 inch metal driver for greater sound than the average laptop.

The Genius SP-i150 portable speaker has a flying saucer design that’s fashionable and easy to carry. The SP-i160 model has an adjustable design to expand the sound field. Both models include up to eight hours of battery life and are easily charged by any PC or Notebook’s USB port. No power adapter is needed to enjoy music at home or on the go, making these small but powerful speakers perfect for upcoming summer outdoor activities!

The SP-i150 and SP-i160 Portable Speakers may be used with a notebook, Netbook, iPod, MP3/MP4 player, and CD player with a 3.5mm audio plug. The SP-i160 model includes a mini jack converter that can be used with audio devices with a 2.5mm socket as well. Features for the SP-i150 and SP-i160 Portable Speakers also include a LED power/charging indicator, a quick-charge USB cable and a travel pouch. Both models are available in black or white and attractively priced at MSRP USD $24.90 (SP-i150) and $29.90 (SP-i160).
The speakers begin shipping in May. Interested shoppers can go to New Egg.com, Amazon.com, Tiger Direct, Buy.com, geniuseshop.com or for more information on the entire line of Genius speaker systems and other retailers and distributors please visit: http://www.geniusnetusa.com/.
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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Gateway Upgrades Their ZX Series

gateway zx seriesOn Wednesday, Gateway updated their ZX series that includes mid-ranged and high-end all-in-one desktop computers.

Now Gateway is offering their ZX4300 line with the option of AMD’s Athlon II X2 processor, and their ZX6900 with either Intel’s Core i3 or Core i5 processor. The ZX6900, which is one of Gateway’s high-end PCs, can also be equipped with a Blu-ray reading drive. Both of the series also offer touch-screen technology that works perfectly with the included Windows 7 Home Premium operating system.

The Gateway One ZX6900-01e now comes standard with an Intel Core i3-530 processor, 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 640GB hard drive, slot-loading Blu-ray player/DVD burner, integrated Intel GMA graphics, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, and 23-inch widescreen touch panel that features 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. Also included are HDMI and eSATA ports that allow for more connectivity options. This PC is available from Gateway for $1,019.99.

The Gateway One ZX4300-01e is more of a mid-ranged desktop compared to the ZX6900. It features an AMD Athlon II X2 235e processor, 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 640GB SATA hard drive, DVD burner, integrated ATI Radeon HD 4270 graphics, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, and 20-inch touch panel widescreen monitor with 1,600 x 900 resolution. This model is available through Gateway for $749.99.

Both of these desktops from Gateway include webcams and a variety of free software. They are both excellent PCs. The upgrades from Gateway are certainly a welcome change.

Looking for Computer / PC Rental information? Visit the www.rentacomputer.com PC Rental page for your short term business PC needs. Or see this link for a complete line of Personal Computer Rentals.
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The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "e-Commerce: Donation Processing & CRM

By Mira Allen and Laura Quinn

Online donations should be an important piece of almost any organizations’ fundraising strategy. While online methods won’t replace direct mail anytime soon, they can reach a different audience and often are more cost efficient to run than more traditional campaigns.

But just as a new ability to accept credit card payments over the phone won’t suddenly make the phone start ringing off the hook with eager donors, adding a donation button to your Web site isn’t likely to bring in much money on its own. The key is integration of these online methods into your communication mix."
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HENRY SCHEIN LAUNCHES DENTRIX MOBILE, OFFERING DENTISTS SECURE ACCESS TO DENTRIX PRACTICE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION FROM SMARTPHONES AND MOBILE DEVICES

I can remember back in the day when having access to a couple of weeks of your schedule on your then state of the art Palm Pilot was a huge deal. Now with the continual growth in mobile access on multiple devices, it's no longer just a static screen you can look at... you can access tons of your data while on the go. Dentrix made a big splash at the CDA this last weekend with the official release of Dentrix Mobile. This product is designed to keep doctors and staff in contact with the practice from anywhere and with almost any mobile device, including the iPad.

I got a demo on Sunday and came away impressed. Here are the all the details:

With new Dentrix tool, doctors can see appointment schedules
and patient details when out of the office

MELVILLE, N.Y., May 14, 2010 – Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, announced today the launch of Dentrix Mobile, a remote access tool that allows dentists to view their appointment schedules and patient information from their smartphones and mobile devices. Launched at CDA Spring in Anaheim, Dentrix Mobile is a new feature of the Dentrix G4 practice management system that provides dentists who are away from their practice secure access to the schedules of all their practice providers and patients, as well as important patient details such as prescriptions and medical alerts.
Dentrix Mobile runs on the latest smartphones and mobile devices, including BlackBerry®, iPhone™, iPad™, Palm Pre™ and Android™.
“Dentrix Mobile offers dentists a secure way to view schedule and patient information needed to manage their practice while out of the office,” said Kevin Bunker, Vice President and General Manager of Henry Schein Practice Solutions. “When a patient calls a dentist at home or anywhere else outside of the practice to schedule emergency treatment, the doctor can quickly check the open schedules for all providers in real time from their smartphone or Apple iPad.”
Dentrix Mobile can also be used to verify patient information when dentists receive emergency, after-hours calls for prescriptions. “Dentrix Mobile eliminates a common frustration for dentists who cannot immediately recognize if the individual calling to request a prescription is a current patient or not,” Bunker said. “With Dentrix Mobile, dentists can enter the caller’s name and verify the patient contact information and prescriptions within seconds.”

Dentrix Mobile’s security protection involves password-protected access to the information stored on secure Dentrix Web servers managed by Henry Schein Practice Solutions. Dentists use their smartphone or mobile device to access the server in the same way they use a Web browser to conduct their online banking or purchasing.
“Since no patient information is stored on the mobile device itself, dentists do not have to worry about anyone accessing confidential information if their device is lost.” Bunker said. “Any data viewed with Dentrix Mobile is erased the second the mobile Web browser is closed.”
Dentrix Mobile is available to Dentrix G4 users on a current Dentrix Customer Service Plan at no additional cost. To learn more about Dentrix Mobile call 1-800-DENTRIX or visit www.Dentrix.com/mobile.
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Lexicon PCM Plug-In is hired! Film/TV composer Dru Masters can't imagine needing another reverb.

Dru Masters is the composer behind some of the UK's most successful TV shows, including BAFTA and RTS winning The Apprentice and The Restaurant. His scores can be heard on documentaries, drama, films and comedies. He has also produced records for artists as diverse as Mediaeval Baebes and Bananarama. As an existing PCM96 Surround owner Dru has quickly adopted the new Lexicon PCM Native Reverb Plug-In Bundle into his workflow.


"I've been using it as my main, generally my only, reverb on everything." comments Dru. "That includes the new series 6 of The Apprentice scheduled for the autumn, the UK version of a massive US hit Undercover Boss, plus a British feature film I'm scoring in September."

The PCM Native Reverb Plug-In Bundle is the ultimate reverb plug-in for creating professional, inspirational mixes within popular DAWs like Pro Tools, Logic, and any other VST, Audio Unit, or RTAS compatible platform. With all the flexibility expected from a native plug-in, it delivers 7 legendary Lexicon reverbs with hundreds of the most versatile and finely-crafted studio presets, including recognizable classics from Lexicon’s immense library of sounds.

"This is the plugin I've been waiting for for years." concludes Dru. "The glorious, smooth, warm Lexicon sound, without the hardware. I can't imagine ever needing another reverb."

The Lexicon PCM Native Reverb Plug-In Bundle is available in the UK now priced at £999 SRP ex VAT.

For more information and a free trial please contact Lexicon's UK distributor, Sound Technology Ltd, on 01462 480000 or visit www.soundtech.co.uk/lexicon


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You Rock Guitar on T3 website

T3.com, the website for the hugely influential gadget and technology magazine, covers You Rock Guitar in a great news story.


The T3 website is packed with the latest gadgets, from cameras to mobiles, TVs to MP3 players. Browse the News section for the hottest kit every month. The best gear is tried and tested in the Reviews section. T3 attracts hundreds of thousands of gadget fans each month in print and online.

http://www.t3.com/news/guitar-hero-with-strings-attached?=45579


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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Campaign Spotlight - You Don’t Have to Be Jewish to Love This Campaign - NYTimes.com

Campaign Spotlight - You Don’t Have to Be Jewish to Love This Campaign - NYTimes.com: "n a campaign that began on May 6, the Jewish Federations of North America, which is based in New York, is asking, “What’s your #ish?” The “#” in front of the “ish” -- known as a hash mark, number sign, hash tag, pound sign or tick-tack-toe symbol -- signals that the campaign is centered in the social media like Twitter."
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You Rock Guitar features on Gadget Show website

The Gadget Show, Britain's leading consumer technology television programme, features the You Rock Guitar on its website’s news pages.

The Gadget Show website is one of Britain's leading consumer technology sites. Fronted by Jon Bentley and Dionne South it brings you the lowdown on the latest and best in the world of gadgetry. 1.5 million watch the TV show and the recently revamped website is proving very popular as well, with over 1.9 million unique visitors a month.

http://fwd.five.tv/gadget-show/gadget-news/digital-guitar-helps-you-rock-guitar-hero-and-rock-band





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Total Guitar review DigiTech JamMan Solo

“The Solo scales most of the features of the original JamMan into a single-sized pedal with added memory”.

The new Digitech JamMan is reviewed in Total Guitar this month, receiving four out of five stars.


“Alongside the more expensive JamMan Stereo, Digitech’s JamMan Solo is the latest addition to its line of loopers. It scales most of the features of the original JamMan (minus the mic input) into a single-sized pedal with added extra memory and USB connectivity, allowing you to record the signal from your guitar (or an iPod, CD player or other line-level devices via aux in) to create loops for jamming along with”.

“The Loop Up/Down switch lets you move seamlessly between a verse/chorus section of your song, and it only cycles to the next loop when the current one ends, thus avoiding timing errors”.

“So if you want to be that guy at the open mic night without spending too much, there’s a lot to be said for the JamMan solo”.

The Digitech JamMan Solo is available now at £229.13 RRP. To read the full review, pick up the June Issue (Issue 202) of Total Guitar on sale now.


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Lexicon PCM96® software update provides compatibility with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

Lexicon® has announced its latest software update with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard compatibility for the PCM96 and PCM96 Surround Reverb/Effects Processors. In addition, the release updates the networking stack and audio drivers which increases performance and stability, and reduces the latency when controlling the processors through the plug-in interface and streaming audio over FireWire.



The PCM96 features a wide array of rich, complex reverb algorithms with related delays and effects. The single-rack space PCM96 and PCM96 Surround processors integrate seamlessly into the modern studio and can function as a control-only DAW insert or FireWire streaming hardware plug-in.

“Lexicon is committed to providing the highest level of signal processing available to meet the platform needs of the changing studio environment,” stated Rob Urry, President of Harman Music Group.

The PCM96 offers two channels XLR analog and AES/EBU digital I/O while the PCM96 Surround offers six channels analogue and AES/EBU I/O, as well as MIDI, Wordclock, Ethernet and FireWire connectivity. The PCM96 processors are equally suited for studio or live use.

For more information on the software update, visit the download section of the Lexicon website http://www.lexiconpro.com/downloads.php


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ioSafe Review is Complete... Buy One!

For the past month or so, I've been using and tinkering with the ioSafe USB Hard Drive. This device is like having an M1A1 Abrams Tank under your desk. You've never felt an external hard drive like this before. It feels sturdy... like it's an industrial product. Of course that's because this thing is made to survive almost anything mother nature can throw at it. It is waterproof to 10 feet for 3 days in fresh or salt water. It's also fireproof to 1550 degrees F for 30 minutes.

The device is heavy, due to all its protective gear, and even comes with a connector for a cable lock. It also has pre-drilled holes on the base that allow you to bolt it down if you'd like to make sure it doesn't move during a disaster.

The company has put these devices through severe testing to make sure the devices do what they claim. Try searching ioSafe at Youtube and see what people have done to these. Here is a small sample...

Setup is a breeze. If you can plug in an AC cord and a USB cable, you're done!

This is one of the smartest devices I've had a chance to review. I'm still continuing my usual meticulous backup routine and a portable hard drive still leaves the office with me and the day's data is on it. However, it is a huge addition to know the ioSafe is sitting in the office doing scheduled backups even when I'm not there. On Thursday when I left for the CDA, there were still patients being seen, radiographs and photos being taken, 3D scans being done. All of those were backed up in my absence and would have been there had any disaster happened.

Kudos to the gang at ioSafe for this amazing product. As I type this, my feet are resting against the large shipping box marked "ioSafe" that arrived today. I'm installing one in my home this evening to keep all my photos and music secure from disaster. If you want to make sure you still have your stuff... buy an ioSafe. This device is highly recommended.

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Propellerhead Software announces Record for schools and institutions

Packages for schools and institutions with new network multilicense functionality available today!

Propellerhead today released Record for education—single, five- and ten-packs of Record—specially priced for schools and institutions.

In the classroom, Record and Reason have many distinct advantages over other music software programs, allowing students to focus on music creation and production, not system maintenance and software incompatibilities. Students can freely experiment and find solutions to audio problems while maintaining creative flow during music production, invariably spending more time on their projects and assignments.

Record’s studio simulation metaphor allows students to configure (and reconfigure) a complete sound studio, selecting and wiring audio processors and generators, while Record’s large format console model provides a rare chance for students to prepare for work in large, professional studios.


Record Education is available in single, 5- and 10-user packs, and multiple packages can be combined for additional licenses. The software integrates perfectly with Reason — schools can use Record Education as an upgrade to their existing Reason licenses, or as a standalone recording application.

The new network multilicenses lets schools install Record on as many computers as they like. With an Ignition Key connected to the USB port on a server or a computer on the network, the system will allow students launch Record or Record + Reason on any computer on the network until the license limit is reached.

Read more about Record for Schools and Institutions and the new multilicense functionality at www.propellerheads.se/education

Pricing & availability

Record for schools and institutions will be available in the UK by the end of May 2010 from authorized Propellerhead resellers.

Record Education Single User Pack SRP £110 ex VAT
Record 5-User Pack SRP £355 ex VAT
Record 10-User Pack £595 ex VAT

For more information please contact UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd on 01462 4800000 or visit www.soundtech.co.uk/propellerhead


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Monday, May 17, 2010

The Apple iMac 27-inch (Core i7)

apple imac 27-inchDesktop computers have been forced to change their faces in order to not be considered obsolete. They are constantly being outdone by the convenience and speed of laptops, notebooks, and netbooks. The Apple iMac 27-inch (Core i7) is a fantastic example of an multimedia, all-in-one desktop computer. In many ways, it resembles its predecessor, the Apple iMac that featured a Core 2 Duo processor, except this iMac 27-inch (Core i7) is much faster.

The Apple iMac 27-inch (Core i7) is designed very much like the rest of the iMac line from Apple. It features brushed aluminum which surrounds a black glass frame. Also included is a sturdy metal arm, that tilts in a variety of different directions and angles, that suspends the screen over your desk for a sophisticated look. The back of the iMac is described as “clean.” Helping this “clean” look is the fact that the iMac 27-inch (Core i7) comes standard with a wireless keyboard and mouse. The MagicMouse that is included with this desktop has a multi-touch surface that allows for clicking and swiping. The back panel of the computer has audio in/out jacks, four USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, the Mini Display Port (in/out), and a Gigabit Ethernet port.

The iMac 27-inch (Core i7) features a vibrantly lit screen with 2,560 x 1,440 resolution. This allows for easy spreadsheet editing and presentation of projects. You can also simply plug in an external monitor to give you more screen space. This can be done by utilizing the Mini DisplayPort to hook up another monitor or device.

On the side of the iMac there is a slot-loading DVD player/burner. Unfortunately for some reason, Apple does not allow for the option of Blu-ray. This was one of the very few disappointments to be found with the iMac 27-inch (Core i7).

Included with your iMac is the iLife suite that is comprised of iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, and iTunes. These are some great programs that allow for immense creativity. The system comes standard with 4GB of DDR3 memory and can hold up to 16GB. To replace the hard drive it is necessary to take apart the iMac, so external expansion is the best way to go.

The iMac 27-inch (Core i7) runs on an Intel Core i7-860 processor with 2.8GHz that can be boosted up to 3.46GHz when it is necessary to provide more computing power. The Core i7 processor also supports HyperThreading which allows you to compute eight streams of data at once. This is a great computer for multimedia purposes. This iMac is also great for gaming. It features ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics that allows for smooth gameplay.

The Apple iMac 27-inch (Core i7) is an extremely powerful multimedia desktop computer. It is fast, sleek, up-to-date, and feature-filled. The only possible drawback for most people would be the price tag. It is listed at $2,199 direct from Apple. That may seem like a lot to put out for a desktop computer, but for those that have the cash for such a purchase, they will be getting everything they could ever want from the iMac.
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Social Media: Finding a happy medium

Social Media: Finding a happy medium: "Tweet this: social media has finally arrived in full force. Last year, many organizations were still ambivalent about its adoption. Today, however, a large percentage has embraced the tool, incorporating it into their work and objectives. To be sure, some remain quite cautious, taking baby steps and learning as they go. But the year has been a real education.

The question is: does the approach to social media differ depending on the occasion? And can it ever be considered incompatible with other goals? For example, May brings with it a stream of month-long awareness campaigns. Will that automatically entail the ramping up of tweets and updates? Or does the immediate, short-term flavour of social media undermine its capacity to promote a long-term 30-plus-day-event? Does it help or hinder?"
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"Pretty bloody impressive it is too": Play Music Pickup mag review Vocalist Live 3 vocal harmony processor

The Digitech Vocalist Live 3 is the latest addition to Digitech’s ground breaking Vocalist range of products. Play Music Pickup magazine give a fantastic review in the latest issue.


“Struggling with your vocal harmonies? The Digitech Vocalist Live 3 offers solo guitarists a simple and fool-proof solution to creating powerful and natural-sounding harmony vocals…live!”

“It analyses the chords played by the guitarist, simultaneously adding multiple vocal harmonies in the correct key and scale when the guitarist sings…it’s like magic and pretty bloody impressive it is too”.

For more information please visit:
http://www.soundtech.co.uk/digitech/news/digitech-vocalist-live-3-play-music-pickup-magazine-review


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New JBL subcompact VerTec installed in Grade 1-Listed Church venue

A historic venue awaited the first European installation of JBL’s new Subcompact VerTec line array, which has been deployed to meet the flexible requirements of a converted Grade 1-listed 19th century church in Edinburgh, for new owners, the G1 Group.

Charlie Flett, director of Aberdeen based company CLS, first saw the new VT4886 three-way passive high directivity line array element and VT4883 cardioid-arrayable subwoofer at the PLASA Show in London back in September — and knew immediately that its performance and compact footprint would provide a perfect solution for the building’s spectacular 650-capacity first floor auditorium — converted by G1 Group into the multifunctional Ghillie Dhu.


“I’d been looking for a small array speaker like this for years,” says Stevie Doyle, manager of the sound and lighting departments at the G1 Group. And Charlie adds that when he saw the system on the stand of UK distributors, Sound Technology Ltd at PLASA they were the first production models in Europe. After long discussions with the design team from JBL in America, which gave a better understanding of the target performance of the system and the internal components, we decided to present these boxes to G1 as the solution to the various challenges of this venue.” Both were impressed with the initial performance of the system, straight out of the box.

In particular the two men were impressed with this legacy system’s directivity, with its integrated Mid/High waveguide providing precise vertical wave front control and optimised 110° horizontal dispersion. “The control and directivity are tip-top.” said Stevie, “This is a powerful, compact answer to how to use sound in conjunction with tight design criteria where big boxes won’t work.”

Downstairs in the 350-capacity main bar/restaurant, 16 durable JBL Control 25s on 100V line are distributed to the three separate zones. “You see these constantly working in shopping malls, restaurants and so on — they are very versatile and with mounting hardware that allows us to design around them in almost any situation,” says Charlie Flett. “They are small, easy to use, high-impact boxes — and the orange JBL badge on the front is a great sales point, it gives the customers peace of mind as its such a familiar sight in so many market areas.”

The Ghillie Dhu project also gave CLS the opportunity to introduce an upgrade from the Soundweb Original (SW9088ii) devices to the flexibility of the new-generation, reconfigurable, IP-addressable Soundweb London BLU.

Four networked BLU-160’s form the digital backbone, with local control through a BLU-10 programmable remote at the stage (programmed in House and Stage system modes) and a couple of local BLU-5’s offering further control in the ancillary areas. Feeds come from HD computers, various line devices, DJ and AKG stage mics.


Summing up, Charlie Flett says, “Everything had to fit within the classic design image and give the flexibility of a multipurpose room — and the whole concept behind new JBL system has proven to be just what was needed. Its been great to see the ‘orange badge’ come back with such a strong product.”


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