Seeing the doctor is usually such an inconvenience, especially in NYC.  You have to schedule a time in your busy schedule, wait at least 30-40 minutes when you’re there, and then you have to run to the pharmacy after if you need a prescription.  Now, thanks to webcam technology, doctors are setting up a system to quickly diagnose patients online. 

American Well has started a system where patients can sign up to have their primary care physician online for 10 minute consultations, and prescriptions if necessary.   American Well is looking to sign on health providers in 2009 for this service.  Blue Cross Blue Shield in Hawaii has already signed on. 

How will it work?  Patients will pay their normal co-pay for a 10-minute appointment, and pay additional if they opt for extended time.  Prescriptions will be called in to the drug stores or e-mailed.  And patient paperwork will be easily transferred to other doctors with consent.  Just the ease of flow with prescriptions and getting a second opinion with a patient’s history is a step in the expeditious direction here.  Further, uninsured patients can also use this system for a fee less than $50.  This means less uninsured people will wind up in the hospital, and thus the emergency rooms will see more people faster.  In regard to fees, the health plans will pay American Well a license fee per member to use its software and also a transaction fee of $2 each time a patient sees the doctor.

This system will  be popular for retired doctors or those who are tired of running around all day.  And patients who already have a jam-packed schedule will enjoy seeing the doctor on their own time.   The last bright idea to quicken doctor’s visits was to hold quick consults at local Duane Reades.  Well, would you rather see an entry level pharmacist at Duane Reade or an experienced doctor who can prescribe medication to you quickly?  As long as your computer is optimized and working fine, your health will also be in good shape with this online doctor system.

Microsoft is getting involved in the free anti-virus software market.  There are a few good anti-virus software programs out there, such as AVG Free and Kapersky.  Now, Microsoft will be offering its own free security software called “Morro” slated for the second half of next year.

McAfee and Symantec think that Microsoft isn’t able to compete on an anti-virus product level with its Live One Care so it feels it’s throwing in the gloves with a free package.   Microsoft’s Live One Care was a product put out by Microsoft that only gained 2% of the overall anti-virus market.  Its marketing ploy was to provide it for free for 90 days, then you’d pay if you like it. 

Well, it’s probably true that Microsoft is throwing in the towel with its anti-virus product, but hasn’t anyone heard of Windows Defender? Defender is a free anti-spyware that couldn’t hack it with the big boys, Spyware Doctor and Lavasoft Ad-Aware. 

Although Defender is a good automated software, it, alone, hasn’t been able to detect and remove the advanced spyware threats.  As Defender, we imagine Microsoft’s future anti-virus software will act the same - automated and light, but weak overall.  Well,  you pay for what you get!  But overall, Microsoft will win as an overall robust operating system (maybe too robust and bloated at times) that does it all.

Yahoo demoted Jerry Yang, the current Yahoo CEO, to an executive level role.  He will be known as the guy who couldn’t sell Yahoo to Microsoft at triple its current share price.  Microsoft offered to buy Yahoo for $33/share and now Yahoo’s share price is only about $10/share.  Also, Yang couldn’t partner with Google in time before the anti-trust police came in to scream “monopoly!”

But, Yang did make Yahoo the 2nd largest search engine and top competitor to computer giant, Google.  Yahoo also became one of the biggest online sponsor advertisers, second to Google of course.  He brought up the big ad campaign, going purple, which brought over a lot of younger consumers to use the site for searching.

So, why did Jerry have to get the boot from the big seat?  Well, just like some feel a new President of the United States is in order, Yahoo felt like they needed a change for a new computer expert to take the helm.  Now, Yahoo will look for a new CEO while Jerry will still provide computer consulting at an executive level for them.

You can create your own Windows pop-up text after starting up your computer.  This pop-up text might read some legal warning, such as, “Use this computer only if you are the rightful owner.”  Or if you need to set up your computer as part of a company network and display a corporate disclaimer message.

Here’s how to execute this small technical project:

1. Click on Start->Run and type in regedit, and hit enter.
2. Then, go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE->SOFTWARE->Microsoft->Windows->CurrentVersion->policies->system
3. After left-clicking system, you’ll find legalnoticecaption and legalnoticetext on the right-hand side.
4. You can right-click each of the legalnoticecaption and legalnoticetext and left-click modify to input your customized message.

Currently, the US unemployment rate is 4.8%.  But, it is a lean market whereas as a job seeker, you must really show your worth to a potential employer.  This blog is dedicated to those who are looking for work, and how to separate yourself from your competition.

1. Show your face!  Instead of calling and e-mailing HR, let them know you’re in the neighborhood, or better yet, just step in their office to follow up.  Putting the face with a name could make a difference.
2. Make your job search your new job.  This should be a 9-5 search, not just a lazy 30-40 minute browsing while sipping Margaritas.  What you put in is what you get out of it.  So, don’t let your laziness overcome you!
3. See how to add more catch phrases and numbers to your resume.  Keywords stick out when recruiters search for specific specialties.  And how much money you made for previous employers always look great.
4. Broaden your search.  If you’re a desktop support rep, see if you have skills to become a Jr. Network Admin or Entry Level Server Support.  See what other specialties you might fit under.
5. Network.  Go to social networking sites and don’t forget to go, in person, to events, benefits, parties, etc.  The power of a connection is a strong measure to have.

Good luck on your job search and remember to not take any rejections personally.  There is a good computer job for everyone who avidly searches for one.

If you haven’t heard enough hype about the iPhone, here’s more!  The latest operating system is rumored to be upgraded to 2.2 by the end of November.  The most notable feature is the ability to use Google’s street view feature.  Google Maps will allows for turn-by-turn directions on foot or by bus.  Subway instructions should be coming soon too.

Other than the Google Map feature, that is the only feature discussed thus far with the 2.2 iPhone OS.  Hopefully, the battery life will also be increased, but Apple has already tried to correct that with its Apple tech support team.

If you currently have the iPhone with version 2.1, it is smart to create a backup first prior to upgrading to 2.2.  It is uncommon but not unheard of to lose your info while performing the update.  It is better to be safe than sorry than have to worry about data recovery measures.

Getting rid of your computer equipment is not an easy task.  You have to take into account how to recycle your computer or maybe give it away to those who could use it.  For heavy equipment, you’ll have to worry about what service will lug it away for you. 

Well, there’s now a direct way to take care of your aging desktops and laptops.  You can go to FreeCycle and find others who will take your equipment.  Essentially, you can post your stuff on the site and others will let you know if they’re interested.  It’s sort of like recycling for Craigslist.  This site is run by grassroots organizations and is purely non-profit.  Best of all, you can request for your new owner to pick up your computer or any other item you might have.  The intent of the site is to keep unwanted stuff out of landfills, and to thus recycle and reuse.

Craigslist is a great site to sell services and goods.  You can go on there to find a job or sofa in your own hometown.  Lately though, there has been an influx of erotic services being sold on its forum.  That’s right - prostitution is one of them.  Well, that’s what could happen when a web site is loosely governed.

So, Craigslist is cracking down on such illicit activity by working with local agencies.  Together, they will provide the technical support to remove the illegal ads.  This is a good step in a positive direction to keep allowing good content and ads on the site.

Where can you vote?  You’ll need to go to your home voting district which may be found at this 2008 US Voter Info link.

If you’re still unsure if you’re registered to vote, you can check out the CanIVote site to confirm.

Now, if you’re hosting an election party tonight and want up to the minute info, go to the Electoral Vote site for a tally on who’s winning.  Good luck to everyone and we hope there are no technical issues with the voting booths this year.

One of the biggest complaints is the slow start-up speed on Windows computers.  Maybe computers, even new ones, take anywhere from 30 - 50 seconds to boot up.  This doesn’t compliment today’s fastmoving world of quick iPhones, Blackberries, and other handheld devices.  

In the past, slow computers were fine for office use.  You would start up your computer, and go for a cup of coffee, and then get ready for the day’s work.  Nowadays, most people have computers at home and use the computer more occasionally and with shorter periods of time.  For instance, many folks use the computer to send across a quick IM (instant message), e-mail, blurb on MySpace, check out directions for dinner, or to research some topic just viewed on TV.  In the past, we were dependent upon dial-up or slow Internet speeds. 

Now the quick Internet speeds we have are there to fuel our fast-moving lives.  Newer computers are looking to resolve slow start-up speeds by loading necessary drivers, excluding networking drivers and others, so your computer will start up fast.  But, you still have to wait after startup before going on the Internet. 

Newer computers are also trying to improve upon sleep or standby mode.  This way, you don’t have to worry about turning off and on your computer.  You can just put your computer  in standby mode and use it when necessary.  However, some computers or Vista causes some software not to come out of hibernation when coming out of standby.  Also, if you have VPN or networking connections to the office, this will need to be restarted when coming out of standby.   The new Dell Latitude will actually improve upon the standby mode by allowing all networking, VPN, etc. to still be working when coming out of standby mode. 

But, even so, we’re still sideswiping the slow startup issue.  Even Macs have slow startup too.  You may have a computer technician give you a computer tune-up to quicken your slow startup.  Ultimately, Microsoft and Apple will need to de-bloat their operating systems so that computers will start faster.  Until then, get ready to perform periodic computer maintenance to ensure it is as fast as possible.