An Emergency Room in the Palm of Your Hand

Posted on June 14, 2013 by loiswhitmanhess

Everyone has an emergency room story.

1) I had to wait five hours in the lobby before a doctor was available.
2) It took me forever to qualify my insurance coverage.
3) They couldn’t find a bed for me.
4) No one spoke English.

No matter what your complaint may be, we all agree that ERs are a necessity. I do have friends who suffer for days before they will go to the ER. I have other friends who look for ER alternatives like 24-hour, seven-day-a-week clinics. These places are popping up all over the country. ERs need relief. The doctors and nurses are overworked and underpaid for the true value they deliver.

You will be glad to know that now there is a new thing that puts an “emergency room in the palm of your hand.” All the details are in the video above.

Walter De Brouwer, the founder, came up with the idea for the first Star Trek-style medical scanner. The whole idea behind the Scanadu Scout is to capture the same information that is normally collected upon first entering the ER.

The Scanadu Scout is a clever, handheld sensor that measures your temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and oximetry just by holding a sensor to your temple for a few seconds, “almost like a salute.” It collects your body data by measuring electrical changes. The person’s data is recorded to an iOS or Android phone app. It’s designed to be used by the most non-technical person.

De Brouwer told CNET, a tech news site, that the availability of the Scanadu Scout means all of us should be taking our vitals when we are feeling good as well as when we hurt. We should think of our bodies as “a river of data.” If you know the state of your health today, then you can take better care of yourself. Why wait until you get into crisis?

Puff the Magic E-Cig

Posted on June 13, 2013 by loiswhitmanhess

I’m just not prepared to give my opinion about e-cigarettes because I’m as envious as I can be. I’m desperate for a piece of chocolate cake right now but I have to suffer because there is no digital solution for my cravings. Yet, those who are addicted to cigarettes now have a solution called e-cig. Using technology that turns nicotine-infused propylene glycol into an inhalable vapor, e-cigarettes smoke almost like the real thing.

While the news media is just now declaring the e-cig is all the rage in the United States, I first saw it almost a year and a half ago when my friend Nadia from Bologna, Italy lit one up in my Miami apartment. Nadia has been a serious smoker her entire life and cannot be without a smoke for more than an hour. I know that many of you will have plenty to say about that, but Europeans and Asians don’t have the same attitude we do about smoking. They would rather have a cigarette than a slice of pizza. It doesn’t compute for me, but it does for the cigarette smokers, who are skinny as can be.

The e-cig was new to Nadia at the time, too, but I could see that it saved her from going nuts for a smoke. It was much more money than the price of a regular cigarette, but you could tell that was not even a consideration. At the time Nadia didn’t even want to face a flight across the ocean without the ability to smoke. When I questioned whether the airlines allowed e-cigs to be lit up, the answer was that every row had a user. I don’t know if Nadia is smoking the real thing or an e-cig at home in Italy now, but I will find out more next Christmas when she visits again.

Meanwhile, my substitute for food is chewing gum. Three o’clock every day is a killer for me. I just want to eat the refrigerator. I run for a pack of gum. Stick by stick, I complete the pack. I’m chewing now as I write this post. I need my mouth to be chewing something when I write, when I create. It’s all part of the process to me. I chew and the words come flying out. No gum, I get stumped.

Everyone has their schtick. Figure this, e-cigarettes are still a small percentage of the $80-billion-a-year smoking market in the United States. In Europe, however, the practice known as vaping is growing like crazy. E-cigs are so popular that the British government wants to treat it as medicine just to prove that it’s perfectly safe. The Food and Drug Administration in the United States is not so sure and is looking into the possibility of regulating it. Everyone wants to know the public health benefits or risks.

Meanwhile, I view it as a gadget that should be accompanied by an e-coffee.

My First Speaking Engagement as DigiDame

Posted on June 12, 2013 by loiswhitmanhess

Photos by Eliot Hess

Today was my maiden voyage as a guest speaker to senior groups around the country. The topic of the tour is “Why should seniors embrace technology?” My first stop was the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Senior Center at Saint Peter’s Church, right next door to Citicorp Center in New York City.

Pardon the pun, but BINGO! Not only is this senior center one of the finest in the country, but the church that houses it is legendary. I really lucked out that they were one of the first to accept my offer.

I thought I was going to teach seniors who are in their 80s and 90s a thing or two about technology. I was so wrong. They taught me a thing or two about life.

If I want to be the champion of seniors delving into technology, then I better be ready to be thick skinned. This group was feisty and aggressive.

If they didn’t like something I said, they instantly demonstrated their displeasure: shallow weeping, holding heads in their hands, and, from one, a short nap. This is no different than some of the client presentations I have been involved in over the years.

Personally, I loved this group because it was a great indoctrination. My grandparents lived with us in tight apartment quarters for the first 22 years of my life. I wasn’t surprised by any of the abrupt reactions from some of the senior citizens or nasty remarks to each other.

While my talk was well received, I now know that future presentations will have to be spontaneous. Seniors don’t want prepared remarks. They want you to be ready to answer their questions immediately. There was zero tolerance for my agenda.

I really had a good attitude today before, during, and after the discussion, thanks to my entertainer friends Ron Abel and Chuck Steffan. Walk in prepared and play your heart out no matter if two or 200 people show up. I also spend a lot of time around Steve Greenberg, a TV personality. He has shared many war stories about last minute show biz changes.

Hanging out with them over the last few years has taught me that I shouldn’t have any pre-conceived notions about how things were going to go, and to expect anything.

Only a dozen participated in the discussion, even though there were 50 nearby in the main room which was occupied by other activities. It really didn’t matter to me because my only concern was what I was prepared to deliver. I was so ready that when they turned the tables on me, it was easy to be flexible.

My job was to get the senior citizens motivated. If that meant taking a few detours along the way, so be it. We were there to beat the clock.

Your Own Personal Elevator

Posted on June 11, 2013 by loiswhitmanhess

DigiDame learned a new elevator trick today, but if you share it with too many people, it won’t work anymore. The whole exclusivity thing goes right out the window. In order to share with others, make sure they are a member of the DigiDame club.

That means they subscribe to my blog. If they don’t receive an email blast from my WordPress blog in the wee hours of the morning, then they don’t deserve to know the following. Pinky swear that you will shut them out.

This will only work for believers. Like Peter Pan says, “You have to believe.” This is for everyone who enjoys an express elevator ride. No stopping for the other guy. Just look straight ahead and act as innocent as you can.

Remember, you now have a first class ticket, bypassing all other stops on your way to your hotel room or apartment in the sky.

Step into the elevator and face the door. Note your room assignment and keep in mind which floor you need to press on the display panel at the front of the elevator. Some elevators have two panels, one on either side of the door, while others have only one.

Prepare to hold down two of the buttons on the panel at the same time before the door to the elevator starts to close. Press the number button for the floor you need and the button that closes the elevator door simultaneously. Note that the designation for the button that closes the door may show two arrows facing each other.

Hold the two buttons down together for at least five seconds to make the elevator go straight to your floor. Ignore the confused looks of the other patrons riding the elevator and enjoy your nonstop ride to your floor.

Remember, you have to believe. Then it works.

Jog Your Memory

Posted on June 10, 2013 by loiswhitmanhess

I’m not sure how and when it started, but the big communications platform today is conference calling. Anyone who is heavily involved in business today has several conference calls set up on a routine basis every week, if not every day. I call these Checkpoint Charlies which means that strategic partners working on the same project all call into a conference number at a designated time to give their status on the project.

Most workers set up conference calls through an outside service where the person who initiates the call can choose options like record, mute, and transcribe. It’s really a wonderful way to communicate because there is no travel involved, many parties can participate, and you can call in from anywhere in the world.

Today, I found out about another kind of conference call service that possesses a total wow factor. Of course it comes in the form of an app. Wait’ll you read this. MindMeld is a voice and video calling app that totally understands your conversation. While you are talking, the app finds and shares related information for everyone involved.

MindMeld lets you make calls with up to eight people. Everyone has to use their iPad. MindMeld actually understands what you say and proactively finds relevant pictures, videos, and articles from documents on your iPad or from the Internet.

What’s more, MindMeld continuously analyzes the last 10 minutes of any conversation to anticipate the information you may need in the next 10 seconds. This all sounds like magic to me. Watch the video below for a detailed demonstration.

Personal Aviation Coming to a Parking Garage Near You

Posted on June 9, 2013 by loiswhitmanhess

Having commuted to the Hamptons for 25 years, the thought of driving back and forth every weekend in bumper-to-bumper traffic is not what we call fun. It was great when we did it, but now we are just as happy to stay in cement city.

Eliot and I were just reminding ourselves of the hassle today as we heard the horns blowing from cars descending from the 59th Street Bridge, steps away from our apartment. When it takes you over an hour to cross the bridge, your temper is out of control by the time you hit the streets of Manhattan. The only thing you can do to relieve yourself is beep that horn. Beep beep, I’ve had enough. Get out of my way before I smash right into you.

Terrafugia is an innovative company in Woburn, MA that thinks they have the solution to traffic problems anywhere in the United States. The company is in the advanced stages of testing a street-legal airplane, the Transition®, that converts between flying and driving modes in under a minute.

Terrafugia is a small, privately held company that is designing the Transition. Their General Aviation (GA), Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) is designed to fold its wings, enabling the vehicle to also operate as a street-legal road vehicle. First delivery is scheduled for 2015.

A company press release says:

“The Transition brings a new level of freedom, flexibility, and fun to personal aviation. It gives the pilot the option to land and drive in bad weather, provides integrated ground transportation on both ends of the flight, and fits in a standard single car garage at home. The Transition can fly in and out of over 5,000 public airports in the U.S. and is legal to drive on public roads and highways. It is the only light aircraft designed to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and it is also equipped with a full-vehicle parachute for additional safety.”

How awesome is that?

To read more about the Transition click here. Be sure to watch the video is see how sensible this flying car will be when introduced next year. Sign me up!

Staying Independent

Posted on June 8, 2013 by loiswhitmanhess

We spend all our time worrying. When we are young we worry that our parents should live forever. When we become parents, we worry about the young ones. As we get older, we worry about our elderly parents.

The question we are now all asking ourselves is who is going to worry about us as we enter our senior most years? The world is very different today. Family and lifetime friends won’t necessarily live near us when we are in our 70s and 80s.

That’s why an app like SecuraFone is so important. It will give us the freedom to lead independent lives yet have caregivers watch over us remotely. Both Android and iOS versions of SecuraFone are available to relay your vitals to caregivers, doctors or others who you want to have this info.

In addition, the app can also connect your call to a 24/7 monitoring center, 911 or another person of your choice by pressing and holding the SOS button for three seconds. The vitals that get measured and monitored are:

· Heart Rate
· Respiration Rate
· Fall Detection
· Stress
· Skin Temperature
· Activity, Steps
· Caloric Burn
· Body Posture

Finally, you can let others do the worrying for you. If you have a change in a pre-defined condition, a notification will be sent to your team of doctors, nurses, family members, friends, etc. The caregiving team can read the notifications from a secure portal. Multiple caregivers can determine next steps and involve others who are needed.

The SecuraFone Health app can also allow the caregiving team to access both real-time and historical information to help make the most appropriate decisions for you.

For a lot of married folks, SecuraFone might also be a life saver. Your partners may be the last to identify changes in you. It is always great to have a second opinion.

To read more about SecuraFone, click here.

BRAIN EXERCISES

Posted on June 7, 2013 by loiswhitmanhess

My friend Marilyn Scher emailed this test to me because she felt I would enjoy taking it. She was right. I usually dismiss random tests because I feel they are bogus. This one may be too, but I felt very satisfied with my good results.

All too often I worry about the onset of dementia. Too many coincidences.

I can’t find my iPhone.
I don’t remember sending out an email.
I take an elevator ride and don’t remember getting in and out.
I buy clothes, hang them in my closet, and forget to wear them.
I read a book for a month and then I can’t remember the name of the main character.

So I said what the heck, I’ll take the test. Go ahead, make yourself feel good.

If you can read this OUT LOUD, you have a strong mind. And better than that: Alzheimer’s is a long, long way down the road before it ever gets anywhere near you.

If you can read the following paragraph, you have a very good mind. This is weird, but interesting!

7H15 M3554G3
53RV35 7O PR0V3
H0W 0UR M1ND5 C4N
D0 4M4Z1NG 7H1NG5!
1MPR3551V3 7H1NG5!
1N 7H3 B3G1NN1NG
17 WA5 H4RD BU7
N0W, 0N 7H15 LIN3
Y0UR M1ND 1S
R34D1NG 17
4U70M471C4LLY%
W17H 0U7 3V3N
7H1NK1NG 4B0U7 17,
B3 PROUD! 0NLY
C3R741N P30PL3 C4N
R3AD 7H15.
PL3453 F0RW4RD 1F
U C4N R34D 7H15.

If you can read this, you are one of the 55 people out of 100 who can.

I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a word are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is that the frsit and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed it whotuit a pboerlm. This is bcuseaethe huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

The Eye Test

Can you find the two Bs?
(DON’T skip, or your wishes won’t come true…)

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Once you’ve found the B’s, find the 1…

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1III
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Once you’ve found the 1, find the 6…

999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999969999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

Once you’ve found the 6, find the N… (It’s hard!!)

MMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMNMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMM

Once you’ve found the N, find the Q…

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOQOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Here is to many more years of working our brains!!!

You Need a Good Laugh

Posted on June 6, 2013 by loiswhitmanhess

Many people believe that laughter is the best medicine. Even doctors will tell you it cures many woes. I guess that’s why people go to comedy clubs. They are an escape. Caroline Hirsch, owner of the legendary Caroline’s Comedy Club on Broadway in NYC, once told me she feels blessed to be in the business she is in because her place serves as a refuge from the real world. “We do well in both bad and good times,” she said. “Our customers are all about making their own fun away from their everyday grind.”

The world of apps now makes it possible for those who want to laugh to have alternatives outside the confines of a club. People want to hear jokes 24/7.

Comedy Central has come to the rescue. Earlier today, the TV channel launched a new app called CC: Stand-Up that contains the equivalent of 10 million comedy routines. Comedy Central says they have more than 6,000 videos from about 700 comedians.

The app has a special algorithm called Discover Mode that connects fans to five other comics that are similar to whichever one they were watching, a great way to discover new talent from comedians who have worked together before or who share similar material. Specially curated material can be found in Feature Mode which has “best of” one-liners, dark humor, and lots of other categories.

It is going to be very interesting to see how many folks download this free app. Who is going to have the last laugh?

Suicide, The Saddest Word in the Dictionary

Posted on June 5, 2013 by loiswhitmanhess

Ataia and Savion Gabriel

Like everyone else reading this blog, I have had some pretty dark days in my life. I have suffered severe public humiliation, death of people whom I loved dearly, more than one embarrassing relationship rejection, huge business disappointments, and major financial challenges. Yet the thought of suicide has never entered my thoughts. I am too afraid of death.

I cannot pretend to know why people attempt or commit suicide. They must have experienced a deeper sense of loss than I have ever faced. None of us can escape it. Sooner or later, many of us will be hit with a hopeless situation.

I hadn’t wanted to want to write about this topic, but I just learned that Paris Jackson reportedly overdosed the other day and signs point to an attempted suicide. She leads a very public life with challenges none of us can understand.

However, you can relate to the misery my friend Sandra Gabriel is going through now. Her son, Savion, committed suicide about three months ago. I first read about it on a Facebook post that Sandra wrote. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Countless people wrote back to her immediately expressing their condolences and appreciation for all of the joy she has brought to them. Sandra is a TV producer (Regis and Kathie Lee, The Joan Rivers Show and others).

Her greatest loves are her children. She is now totally devastated. You can search forever for a reason, but there will be no justification. Sandra is no different than you or me. She was completely devoted to her family and a very positive person.

In that vein, Sandra can’t just sit there and do nothing. She started an email campaign. Hence, this blog post. I want you to join her efforts to support The Savion Gabriel Foundation.

Please read her email to hundreds of others. And please forward this post to get others to join in too.

Support The Savion Gabriel Foundation.

Dear Lois,

How are you? I hope this letter finds you and all in your family well and in good spirit.

Did you hear the news about my 22-year old son, Savion?

It’s hard to believe it has been two months and the pain of Savion’s passing continues to be difficult, but carry on we MUST as we have much to do to bring the Silence of Suicide Out of the Darkness and into the Light… http://tinyurl.com/RIPSavion1

Our biggest question remains:

WHY DID SUCH A WONDERFUL 22-YEAR OLD PUT A GUN TO HIS HEAD?

Unfortunately, we will never know.

We do know that we all did our very best and must never go to a place of guilt or regret. No one did this to Savion, but Savion.

That does not make our sorrow and pain any easier. We do know certain facts and we know we must reach out and help others to know these facts so that if we recognize the signs, maybe we can help prevent others?

So if you, or anyone you know, was touched by Savion, or by suicide specifically, please make an offering on his website:

http://www.SavionGabriel.com

We ask for a $5.00 minimum online to help cover the cost of online processing. Or, you can send a check to: Savion Gabriel Foundation, 9 Music Sq. South #375, Nashville, TN 37203. Whatever you can do is so appreciated as we have much to do and we thank you!

We continue to learn and share that Suicide is Preventable.

We have listed some of the symptoms to watch out for on Savion’s website, plus the 800 number to call if you, or someone you know, need help.

Please remember to talk openly about suicide and share this with your family and pay it forward…for the benefit of Savion and others.

Ataia and I thank you for your prayers and support.

With abundant gratitude, love and blessings,

Sandra and Ataia Gabriel

DigiDame

My Life In Tech, Travel, Art, and Networking

Author Archives: loiswhitmanhess

An Emergency Room in the Palm of Your Hand

Puff the Magic E-Cig

My First Speaking Engagement as DigiDame

Your Own Personal Elevator

Jog Your Memory

Personal Aviation Coming to a Parking Garage Near You

Staying Independent

BRAIN EXERCISES

You Need a Good Laugh

Suicide, The Saddest Word in the Dictionary

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