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Submission + - Patients Wary of Online Health Portals, Despite New Healthcare Initiatives

Submitted by cagraham
cagraham writes: According to a recent survey of 430 patients in the US, only a quarter (25.3%) wanted their primary care physician to communicate with them through an online portal outside of office visits. 42.9% of patients instead listed the phone as their preferred method of contact. Similarly, only 14.1% of patients listed an online portal as their preferred method for receiving test results or diagnoses. Healthcare practices are expected to get 5% of their total patients this year to interact with them through such a site in order to receive federal Meaningful Use incentive payments.

Submission + - Eliminating comments on publication websites? (psmag.com) 1

Submitted by sixoh1
sixoh1 writes: Nicholas Jackson at Pacific Standard suggests that internet comments are permanently broken (in response to an issue Jezebel is having with violent misogynist GIFs and other inappropriate commentary). He argues that blogs are a good-enough solution to commentary and dialog across the internet.

This seems to hold true for most broad-interest sites like newspapers and magazines where comments can be downright awful, as opposed to sites like Slashdot with a self-selected and somewhat homogenous audience. It seems unlikely that using only blogs for responsive dialog with authors and peers could come close to matching the feedback and community feel of comments such as we see here.

Is there a technical solution, or is this a biological problem imposed on the internet...

Submission + - AMD and Intel's Rivalry to Supply the Internet of Things 1

Submitted by cagraham
cagraham writes: No matter what industries adopt internet connected devices, there will be increased demand for embedded processors and data center servers. Intel and AMD are two companies poised to reap huge benefits from such demand. Intel is investing heavily in spurring IoT growth (in order to sell more servers as companies produce more data), while AMD is hoping to cash in with "ambidextrous" x86 and ARM based server chips.

Submission + - Sharp introduces free-form LCD screens (autoweek.com)

Submitted by BobandMax
BobandMax writes: Sharp has integrate the gate driver into individual pixels, reducing bezel size and freeing designers from shape constraints. This bodes well for folks who dislike rectangular screens in their cars.

Submission + - Government Will Spend $1.2 Trillion on Internet of Things, According to IDC

Submitted by cagraham
cagraham writes: A new report by IDC looks at the way in which US government IT spending will change throughout 2014 and beyond. According to their analysis, the government will increase its spending on Internet of Things technology up to $1.2 trillion in 2017. The report also predicts that the government will decrease traditional IT spending by 15%, and instead invest in cloud computing.

Submission + - Oregon Relied on Microsoft Office to Manage Health Exchange Development

Submitted by cagraham
cagraham writes: The Oregonian recently uncovered an internal report by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the ongoing problems with the Cover Oregon health insurance exchange. The report states that "Cover Oregon is not employing ... any mainstream project management tool," and was instead using Microsoft Office products to track the exchange's development. The state is currently registering residents using paper forms, and is withholding $25.6 million from software company Oracle for missing functionality.

Submission + - Eye Tribe Launches Cloud Platform to Track Eye Movements

Submitted by cagraham
cagraham writes: Startup company Eye Tribe has announced the launch of a cloud-based analytics platform that allows businesses to collect and analyze eye movements from different sources simultaneously. The platform is tied into Eye Tribe's $99 eye tracking hardware, which it hopes will one day be integrated directly into smartphones and tablets. If the technology does become widespread, it could change how app developers and marketers monitor user attention and focus.

Submission + - AMD Is Adding Games onto Your Games

Submitted by cagraham
cagraham writes: AMD has a new program designed to reward users for playing video games. Every time a member of it's AMD Rewards program begins playing a new game in a 24 hour period, they'll get five "Raptr Points." They'll then receive an additional two points for every twenty minutes of play. Eventually, they can redeem these for AMD hardware, or discounts on products. The whole program is tied into their Gaming Evolved app, that helps people find the perfect gameplay settings for their hardware.

A loyalty program for video games — genius, or overkill?

Submission + - IEEE Says 85% of Daily Tasks will be Games by 2020

Submitted by cagraham
cagraham writes: According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), over 85% of daily tasks will include game elements by 2020. The organization, whose motto is "Advancing Technology for Humanity," looked at the growth of games in fields such as healthcare, education, and enterprise when preparing their report. Member Tom Coughlin summarized the findings, saying that 'by 2020, however many points you have at work will help determine the kind of raise you get or which office you sit in.'

Submission + - Fire Destroys Iron Mountain Data Warehouse, Argentina's Bank Records Lost

Submitted by cagraham
cagraham writes: A fire at Iron Mountain's data warehouse in Buenos Aires left the facility "ruined," and killed nine first-responders according to the Washington Post. The origin of the fire is unknown, although the facility was supposedly equipped with sprinkler systems, fire control systems, and had a private emergency team on standby. Among the records lost include corporate data and Argentina's bank archives, which could have some surprisingly far reaching implications.

Submission + - Google Testing Smart Appliance, Would Compete with Nest Thermostat

Submitted by cagraham
cagraham writes: Google is currently testing a web-connected thermostat, similar to the popular Nest Thermostat, according to The Information. The device would display energy usage details, and allow user's to control it from a web app. This actually marks the second time Google has ventured into home energy, after their PowerMeter web app that was shut down in 2011. Web connected devices could allow Google access to a treasure trove of data on people's daily habits and routines.

Submission + - Dell Bets $16M on Security Firm Invincea 1

Submitted by cagraham
cagraham writes: Dell has invested $16M in cyber security firm Invincea, according to the Wall Street Journal. Invincea makes the FreeSpace software that is bundled onto Dell's business laptops and tablet offerings. Unlike traditional anti-virus software that seeks to identify and then patch vulnerabilities, FreeSpace creates virtual "containers" on the computer and runs highly-targeted programs like Microsoft Office and web browsers inside of them. If it detects malware, the software then seals it inside the container, where it can't spread (and where it can be analyzed by Invincea). The investment is likely designed to develop Dell's enterprise software offerings.

Submission + - FDA Not Convinced Antibacterial Soaps Stop the Spread of Germs (washingtonpost.com) 5

Submitted by barlevg
barlevg writes: It's long been a concern that the widespread use of antibacterials soaps is contributing towards the evolution of drug-resistant "superbugs," but as the Washington Post reports, the Food and Drug Administration also does not believe that there is any evidence to support that the antibacterial agents in soaps are any more effective at killing germs than simply washing with soap and water. Under the terms of a proposal under consideration, the FDA will require that manufacturers making such claims will have to show proof. If they fail to do so, they will be required to change their marketing or even stop selling the products altogether.

The Washington Post cites concerns that triclosan interferes with hormone production, but it should be noted that is is based on animal studies, and that at least one human study has shown no effect on hormone levels in adults using toothpaste containing triclosan.

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