Do you have serious privacy concerns about Google Health?
Posted on June 16, 2008
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A recent poll was taken over at TuDiabetes.com and Manny posted the results. Though the poll didn’t have too many participants, I was surprised to see that 43% had “Serious Privacy Concerns” about it.
I have the following reply:
“43% has “serious privacy concerns”? Wow, seriously?I can’t help but wonder how many of the people concerned are so because of specific reasons or simply because everyone says they should be.
I mean we already have pretty much every piece of “secret” info about us stored somewhere on the internet. We access our bank accounts and make highly sensitive financial transactions daily with our online banking but there are privacy concerns with storing info like “Allergies”, “Conditions” and “Age/Sex/Height” into places like Google Health?
If it isn’t Google it will be someone else, which we’re seeing more and more of. In the end if people have privacy concerns with Google specifically then at the least they’ll have the power of choice with all the other solutions. But seriously, it’s quite likely those same people are still using Google services daily for their other needs such as search.”
While I do think privacy is a big issue in certain context and situations, some areas in medical in particular, I think in the context of diabetes PHR tracking and management it isn’t a main concern.
What do you think? If you’re on Ning or the TuDiabetes Diabetes social network check out the discussion or let me know here.
http://tudiabetes.com/forum/topic/show?id=583967%3ATopic%3A161948
Tags: Diabetes, Google Health, Google Health Privacy, Online Health Privacy, PHR, TuDiabetes.
Posted on June 16, 2008
Filed Under Business, Daily Thoughts, Diabetes, Health & Food, Mobile Tech, Quotes, Ranting, Tech
Slurpr - The Ultimate in WiFi and Wardriving
Posted on April 23, 2008
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Now this isn’t new, I saw it a long time ago but though I’d post on it now that the project has matured a bit. You can’t buy them off the street just yet but it is pretty kick ass none-the-less.
What is Slurpr? Basically a Frankenstein mini-PC packed with 6 WiFi cards/antenna’s in one tiny box that aggregates multiple open (or closed) WiFi signals into one big bandwidth pipe. Or according to the site:
“A big, fat access point with a large antenna and a bunch of Wi-Fi cards that automatically connect to the strongest signals it can pick up. Then it would combine all these signals into one FreeLoading Broadband Canal for me to use”
Nice.
It can easily crack easy WEP passwords on the fly. Being that I used to do lots of WiFi when I lived in San Fran I would have loved to have one of these. Using maybe 6 x high-gain 15dbi antenna’s and the right arial placement we could be talking about some major bandwidth and great for war driving. I’ll take one. 
Find more here: http://geektechnique.org/projectlab/781/slurpr-the-mother-of-all-wardrive-boxes
Tags: Amsterdam, Antenna Antenna, Geektechnique.org, Slurpr, Wardriving, WiFi.
Posted on April 23, 2008
Filed Under Hardware, Mobile Tech, Tech, Travel
The Next Web 2008, Health 2.0 NL, BarCamp IV and Lunch 2.0: A whirlwind of good times and opportunity
Posted on April 16, 2008
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The past few weeks have been a whirlwind, I’ve just barely had a chance to catch my breath.
After being in Holland a few days I was able to attend the amazing TheNextWeb 2008 Conference in Amsterdam. The conference was top notch and was executed beautifully. The after parties, dinners and a live Diggnation were icing on the cake. I’ll definitely have to write a more indepth review about it but if you’re ever in the area while it’s going on I suggest you go.
Also last week I attended the Health 2.0 NL Unconference in Amsterdam which was just as great and surprisingly in a smaller volume. 50 or so people passionate about tech, health and how the 2 merge met up for a series of talks and networking. It was hosted and coordinated also by a top notch group of motivated go-getters and I have to say it was a smashing success. It was great to meet everyone here as well as give a presentation on SugarStats which was well recieved. I can’t wait for the next one as well as Health 2.0 Europe
Then of course there was the BarCamp IV Amsterdam which was put on by Peter Robinett, of course in Amsterdam too. Had a lot of great talks and got to meet a lot of bright, forward thinking folks. A keg of beer didn’t hurt all that much either 
This coming Friday is Lunch 2.0 in Amsterdam, should be a blash as well. So much to do I’ll have to defer a more in-depth post till later. Till then…
Tags: BarCamp, BarCamp IV, BarCamp IV Amsterdam, Health 2.0, Health 2.0 NL, Health 2.0 NL Unconference, Live Diggnation Amsterdam, Lunch 2.0, Lunch 2.0 Amsterdam, NextWeb, NextWeb 2008, SugarStats, TheNextWeb.
Posted on April 16, 2008
Filed Under Business, Design, Entertainment, Health & Food, Mobile Tech, Tech, Travel, Web
April 3rd: The Next Web 2008 - Amsterdam
Posted on April 2, 2008
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I’ll be attending The Next Web 2008 in Amsterdam on April 3rd and 4th in Amsterdam. It’s going to be one of the biggest gatherings in Europe for startups, web/media tech and trends going on. If you’re going to the conference or will be in the area feel free to drop me a line and maybe we can grab a drink.
More info and registration: http://2008.thenextweb.org
Tags: Amsterdam, NextWeb, NextWeb 2008, TheNextWeb.
Posted on April 2, 2008
Filed Under Design, Entertainment, General, Hosting, Marketing, Mobile Tech, Startup, Tech, Travel, Web, WebDev
Macbook Pro Upgrades, Bags and Accessories
Posted on March 11, 2008
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So with the almost $600 savings I got with getting a refurb previous gen MBP model I decided to get some niceties to accompany my new best friend:
4GB Macbook Pro Ram
$97 including shipping from Newegg.com. Simply the best thing you can do to increase performance. I got 2 of these and they’ve been working great: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208323
Booq Bag Vyper XM Ballistic Nylon Sleeve
$49 – http://www.booqbags.com/s.nl/it.A/id.74/.f?sc=13&category=-113. I’ve been using it for a few days and it is really solid. Fits very snug and the laptop is well protected in it. Will prevent damage from much harding impacts as it isn’t soft neoprene but instead is semi-rigid ballistic woven nylon. Booq bag is just the top quality when it comes to laptop cases and bags.
Some pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/malffred/2324468959/
mStand All Aluminum MBP Stand
$49 – http://www.raindesigninc.com/mstand.html – If you’re working on a laptop for more than a few hours a day, a laptop stand is something you should really invest in. I chose the mStand form RainDesign simply because it is beautiful and matches the MBP perfectly. It also acts as to improve ergonomics by raising the screen to eye-level (6 inches) and helps to dissipate heat with its all aluminum design acting like a heat-sink. I picked mine up off Amazon.
Booq or InCase backpack
$89-$215 – Verdict is still out on this as I’m still deciding. But i’ll need a new bag for my MBP. I’ve just been using a regular backpack and throwing my MBP in it with the Vyper sleeve. I’ve always been 100% Booq, but the InCase style is growing on me (I really didn’t like it at first). I’ve got it down to 3 choices:
- Booq Bag Mamba Backpack – http://www.booqbags.com/s.nl/it.A/id.285/.f?sc=11&category=-111
- InCase Slim Nylon Backpack – http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/nylon-slim-backpack-cl55028
- Booq Bag Boa 3 Backpack – http://www.booqbags.com/s.nl/it.A/id.297/.f?sc=11&category=-111
While Sling bags look better, I’ve had a lot on the past and they really do a number on your back/spine after extended use (Any doctor will confirm this). I want the bag to be slim but also good as a day pack for outings wherever.
My initial urge was the Booq Bag Boa 2 but it is not in production anymore, so I thought about the Boa 3 that just came out. Looking at it though, it is a SERIOUS bag and quite heavy at that (4.4lbs). While it would be great for traveling and airplanes, I don’t think it is something I’d want for a light day pack.
Next up was the Booq Mamba Backpack, I’ve had a Mamba sling in the past and it was top quality. But when comparing it with the InCase Slim Backpack it just looks a little dull (Even though the InCase bag is as square as can be). So after all the research thus far I’m leaning towards the InCase bag which is $89. I’ll be checking it out in person at the Apple Store to make a final decision.
Tags: 4GB Transcend SO-DIMM, Booq Bag, Booq Bag Vyper M2 Sleeve, InCase Slim Nylon Backpack, Macbook Pro Upgrade, mStand, NewEgg.com, RainDesign.
Posted on March 11, 2008
Filed Under Apple, Art & Design, Hardware, Mobile Tech, Productivity, Tech, Travel
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I'm Marston and here you'll find my rantings, rhetoric and other useful info. I dig tech, photography, quantum physics and organic food. I'm the founder of SugarStats.com and thats my days developing.
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