I am hoping that tomorrow I will have time to upload a new podcast. I have been meaning to do it for some time now.
Brian
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Friday, September 9, 2005
Want to Lose Weight? Eat a Good Breakfast!
Mom was right -- breakfast is good for you. Not only is it delicious and nutritious, but it might also help you lose weight.
A study of 2,400 teenage girls by the Maryland Medical Research Institute found that those who ate breakfast had a lower average body mass index than those who skipped a morning meal. The fact that breakfast foods are typically healthier than foods eaten later in the day (sugar-laden cereals and fatty meats such as bacon notwithstanding) might have contributed to that outcome. Additionally, the girls who ate breakfast might have had healthier overall eating habits and more balanced diets than their breakfast-skipping counterparts. Eating breakfast might also prevent sugar drops and cravings, which in turn lead to unhealthy snacking.
Source: CNN.com
A study of 2,400 teenage girls by the Maryland Medical Research Institute found that those who ate breakfast had a lower average body mass index than those who skipped a morning meal. The fact that breakfast foods are typically healthier than foods eaten later in the day (sugar-laden cereals and fatty meats such as bacon notwithstanding) might have contributed to that outcome. Additionally, the girls who ate breakfast might have had healthier overall eating habits and more balanced diets than their breakfast-skipping counterparts. Eating breakfast might also prevent sugar drops and cravings, which in turn lead to unhealthy snacking.
Source: CNN.com
The (Disconnected) State of the Mobile Worker
A recent white paper from Nokia, "The State of Workforce Mobility" (PDF), contains some surprising and important observations about how mobile devices are deployed and used in the workplace:
In short, businesses may be missing the boat when it comes to deploying mobile technology in the workforce. "Regardless of geography, company size, or whether companies are compensating employees for mobile devices and related services," the report concludes, "the workforce is increasingly reaping the benefits of mobile technologies, so much so that an interesting disconnect between decision makers and employees has evolved." Perhaps further studies linking mobile technologies to increased productivity will convince these decision makers that the mobile workplace is a worthwhile investment.
- Although more businesses are deploying mobile technology, less than a quarter of workers use cell phones for business purposes, and only 10% use laptops for work.
- Business users do not replace their cell phones as frequently as one might think. Mobile phones are in operation an average of two years... longer than the consumer average of 18 months.
- Size doesn't matter. Large companies are no more or less willing to provide mobile technology to their employees than small ones.
- Chinese businesses are leading the pace in mobile phone adoption, with 68% of Chinese decision makers saying they would consider replacing land lines with mobile phones (as opposed to 22% of American decision makers).
- Nearly 60% of business decision makers say they do not plan to purchase additional mobile devices within the next 12-24 months, even though demand is high. Concerns about cost and difficulty of deployment are cited as the most common reasons discouraging further deployment.
- Top executives are the employees most likely to be using mobile technology... suggesting a technology gap between "haves" and "have-nots" in many organizations.
- Security is the top criterion for selecting e-mail or IM solutions (no surprise there, really).
In short, businesses may be missing the boat when it comes to deploying mobile technology in the workforce. "Regardless of geography, company size, or whether companies are compensating employees for mobile devices and related services," the report concludes, "the workforce is increasingly reaping the benefits of mobile technologies, so much so that an interesting disconnect between decision makers and employees has evolved." Perhaps further studies linking mobile technologies to increased productivity will convince these decision makers that the mobile workplace is a worthwhile investment.
Cell Phone Users Don't Know, Can't Use Devices' Features
With video downloads and Internet access, cell phones are more powerful than ever, and technologists expect them to be the gateway to personal information. However, a recent survey reveals that most users are unaware of their cell phones' capabilities... and often can't use them if they are.
The survey, conducted by UK-based mobile software developer SurfKitchen, found not one mobile phone user who could correctly identify their phone's data package. High prices, poor usability and unreliable service posed additional barriers to users getting the most out of their phones.
As with most all technology, the problems lie not with ill-informed consumers, but with providers who favor "bells and whistles" over simplicity. Going forward, usability and reliability will be key issues for phone manufacturers and carriers, with the companies offering the most dependable, easiest to use services winning in the marketplace.
Sources: Techdirt, Vnunet
The survey, conducted by UK-based mobile software developer SurfKitchen, found not one mobile phone user who could correctly identify their phone's data package. High prices, poor usability and unreliable service posed additional barriers to users getting the most out of their phones.
As with most all technology, the problems lie not with ill-informed consumers, but with providers who favor "bells and whistles" over simplicity. Going forward, usability and reliability will be key issues for phone manufacturers and carriers, with the companies offering the most dependable, easiest to use services winning in the marketplace.
Sources: Techdirt, Vnunet
Wednesday, September 7, 2005
The "New" New Orleans
They say that when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. New Orleans and the Gulf Coast have been handed (maybe thrown) more lemons than they can handle over the past week. But can the region turn a disaster into an opportunity?
Despite assertions from its residents that the Big Easy will rise again, powerful politicians have questioned the wisdom of spending billions to do so. As the Katrina disaster fades from the headlines and emotions ebb, expect more pols to echo this sentiment. Already, polls are finding that a majority of Americans believe that New Orleans will never fully recover from the disaster. Many of those who have been evacuated may never return, and with so many sights and sounds of human suffering, the image of the Crescent City as a carefree party town will be forever tempered.
That said, some are already envisioning a "new" New Orleans... one that will be better and safer than ever. The Next Hurrah blog proposes an "Eco New Orleans" that will features smart growth, green housing and a distributed energy program. WorldChanging features a similarly ambitious and sustainable blueprint for rebuilding.
On a more immediate note, Jeff Jarvis of BuzzMachine outlines a strategy for using online technology to coordinate recovery efforts and get survivors back on their feet.
UPDATE: Putting Jarvis' ideas into action, Greg Burton of Genius Now has set up the Recovery 2.0 wiki, where people can network and share ideas for helping with recovery efforts. The Katrina Help Wiki is a similar resource. Katrina Help is one of many blogs set up to provide up-to-the-minute information.
UPDATE (10/4/05): Enviropundit has a post that links to several resources covering hurricane-resistant building codes and construction techniques.
Source: Genius Now
Despite assertions from its residents that the Big Easy will rise again, powerful politicians have questioned the wisdom of spending billions to do so. As the Katrina disaster fades from the headlines and emotions ebb, expect more pols to echo this sentiment. Already, polls are finding that a majority of Americans believe that New Orleans will never fully recover from the disaster. Many of those who have been evacuated may never return, and with so many sights and sounds of human suffering, the image of the Crescent City as a carefree party town will be forever tempered.
That said, some are already envisioning a "new" New Orleans... one that will be better and safer than ever. The Next Hurrah blog proposes an "Eco New Orleans" that will features smart growth, green housing and a distributed energy program. WorldChanging features a similarly ambitious and sustainable blueprint for rebuilding.
On a more immediate note, Jeff Jarvis of BuzzMachine outlines a strategy for using online technology to coordinate recovery efforts and get survivors back on their feet.
UPDATE: Putting Jarvis' ideas into action, Greg Burton of Genius Now has set up the Recovery 2.0 wiki, where people can network and share ideas for helping with recovery efforts. The Katrina Help Wiki is a similar resource. Katrina Help is one of many blogs set up to provide up-to-the-minute information.
UPDATE (10/4/05): Enviropundit has a post that links to several resources covering hurricane-resistant building codes and construction techniques.
Source: Genius Now
Zero Energy House
With energy costs rising steadily and shortages of fossil fuels a distinct possibility this winter, homebuilders and architects will want to take a close look at architect Zoka Zola's Zero Energy House in Chicago. The term "zero energy" is a bit of a misnomer, as the house does have electricity, though it's produced entirely from the house's own solar cells and windpower.
The house is positioned to take maximum advantage of the sun for both heating and light. Plants and trees (including a "green" roof) provide both cooling and insulation. Ample windows provide ventilation to cool the house in the summer. In the winter, concrete interior walls can retain heat to keep the house warm throughout the night.
Source: Inhabitat
The house is positioned to take maximum advantage of the sun for both heating and light. Plants and trees (including a "green" roof) provide both cooling and insulation. Ample windows provide ventilation to cool the house in the summer. In the winter, concrete interior walls can retain heat to keep the house warm throughout the night.
Source: Inhabitat
The Mobile Convenience Store
UK-based Benjy's Sandwiches is taking the lunch truck concept to the next level, outfitting Benjy's Delivered "vanchise" vans that unfold to sell virtually any type of food.
The vans can serve worksites, catered events and other locations without requiring external power. Benjy's Delivered vans typically serve sandwiches, hot food, hot and cold drinks, salads, fresh fruits, snacks and desserts. The vans also appear neater and cleaner than the typical mobile lunch truck, making them more appealing to discerning customers.
Vans such as these can serve all kinds of temporary locations efficiently and economically. With disaster relief on our minds recently, they could even be used in emergencies to serve groups of displaced persons.
Source: Springwise
The vans can serve worksites, catered events and other locations without requiring external power. Benjy's Delivered vans typically serve sandwiches, hot food, hot and cold drinks, salads, fresh fruits, snacks and desserts. The vans also appear neater and cleaner than the typical mobile lunch truck, making them more appealing to discerning customers.
Vans such as these can serve all kinds of temporary locations efficiently and economically. With disaster relief on our minds recently, they could even be used in emergencies to serve groups of displaced persons.
Source: Springwise
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