Healthcare on its way to technology - Are you sick of watching your doctor tediously pencil down your symptoms, or what about deciphering your prescription on the way to the pharmacy?  This doctor's office is paving the way for technological advancement in the medical field. Although it was a rough transition, Dr.Saleh now thinks his skills have improved as a result of his computer-based office. His paperless office allows him to access a patient’s file from anywhere, rather than searching for it in an overcrowded filing system. He can spend less time on organizing and writing, and more time with his patients.

You CAN do it all!! - Does exercise just seem like a waste of time? We all love and need those endorphins, not to mention physical health, but sometimes it’s nearly impossible to find time to exert serious amounts of energy and perspiration in a 24-hour day filled with classes, work, meetings, social functions, shopping, and showering. Well we may have found the cure for our horribly unfit society. With the treadputer, the ultimate development in multi-tasking, there is no longer an excuse for putting exercise on the back burner. This combined treadmill/computer allows users to burn calories and listen to music at the same time, run a mile while typing that paper for tomorrow and, for some, work out while at work. This may be the next big thing for consumers who are constantly trying to make their lives as efficient as possible.

Looking to ensure maximum business value for your IT dollars? - Have you ever thought, "For the money we're spending on IT, we should be dominating our market--but we're not. What are we doing wrong?" The bad news is that you're not alone. In fact, nearly all companies have failed investments in software initiatives--many in the six and seven figure range! The good news is that the leading causes of these failures can be avoided by applying Menlo's High-Tech Anthropology® practice. Please join us for a free 90-minute presentation to learn how these failures occur and how High-Tech Anthropology® not only avoids them, but maximizes the overall business and end-user value. Our approach will show you techniques for creating the right software for the right application.  See you on July 20th!

The Voice of the Future? - In a society where technology is continuously defying expectations, it’s easy to forget that the Internet isn't easy to master for everyone. Those who are blind, physically challenged or senior citizens can find it a difficult and frustrating place. Enter Freedombox. The program, though created for the blind, also makes things much simpler for those who are physically challenged or partially blind. The screen is magnified for those who have difficulty seeing, and the minimal use of the keyboard works well for anyone who has difficulty using their hands. Its simplicity also works well for seniors who've never used a computer.

Insect eyes inspire 3D lens - Insect anatomy used in technology? It’s really not as gross as it sounds. After climbing that mountain or biking that trail, wouldn’t it be great to capture not only part of the view, but all 360 degrees of it? Researchers have been working on developing a camera lens based off of the structure of an insect’s eye to encompass a circular, three-dimensional view when photographing. Even cell phone cameras may soon be equipped with this capability. These lenses will completely change photography, the literal eyes through which humans see the world, as well as the relationship between man and bug.

Need a speaker for an upcoming event? - We love public speaking and are happy to deliver inspiring messages focused on business success with information technology. Call us at (734) 665-1847 to schedule your next event. Look here for our current speaking engagements and a list of some topics that we've spoken about in the past.  Rich's current favorite is speaking about Thomas Freidman's book, The World is Flat. Check it out!

Computer 'beings' evolve as society - The answers are finally in reach for cultural anthropologists. Rather than playing theoretical guessing games and sifting through dirt in search of some remote understanding of human culture, they must simply observe a group of computers. Society’s newest tool may possibly be used to reveal its oldest secrets. Millions of computer-generated entities that live and die by natural selection could quench the eternal wonder and debate over how human culture and language has evolved. The project, called NEW TIES (New and Emergent World Models Through Individual, Evolutionary, and Social Learning), demonstrates patterns and strategies of social learning. The machines possess physical attributes, including a gender, and partake in actions, such as talking as a means of food, or replenishment. This project will satisfy anyone who ever pondered why certain words denote certain feelings, or why they had trouble making friends in middle school, or maybe even why the dinosaurs are no longer with us.

Touch sensor is as sensitive as your finger tip - Sensory and perception: Meet robot! Scientists have recently developed a groundbreaking sensor capable of feeling the etchings on a coin. This super-sensitive tool could possibly let surgeons remotely "feel" tissue through an endoscope and help robots pour drinks without spilling a drop. The sensor consists of layers of gold and cadmium sulphide nanoparticles and will bring a new, real-world use to mechanical sensors.

Smart ways to spend a few days this summer   - Summer is here, so now is the time to sign up for a Menlo class and escape the summer heat while learning new ideas. The good news? The Menlo 2006 class schedule is out! Now you have no excuse not to learn the real secrets of software success.