Mesh Goes Public Beta

Microsoft's Mesh, a virtual cloud for remote device access (think GoToMyPC) and network storage, is now open to the public. Still in beta though.

I've connected my home laptop and work computer to the cloud (by downloading the local client) and it seems to integrate well with Microsoft technologies. Doesn't work with Firefox, but overall, IE7 makes me happy enough anyway.

You get 5Gb online storage buffer in the 'Live Desktop' as it syncs with your other connected devices. You can use the service as a simple 5Gb remote storage, though uploading files without the client is a burden (one at a time.)

You can also remotely control your remote devices once they have the client installed, though I haven't tested this functionality yet.

Mind Mapping Online

Adobe Flash online free version.

Project Requirement Gathering Templates

Project requirements should drive the project plan. A good template to do so is here.

Organizing Tons of Information

Of particular use in requirements gathering:

Concept Mapping

Mind Mapping

Simple Online Bookkeeping

And it's free.

Leadership by Bob Stevens

• Engage fully.
• Listen actively.
• Mobilize quickly.
• Seize the initiative.
• Adapt with agility.
• Persevere in the face of adversity.
• Celebrate the victories with those who have earned them.

Circumstances demand it.
Employees deserve it.

Medical Records

From ComputerWorld.com

The medical data that might have saved me several hours of terror sat unused. It was unavailable to doctors outside of my primary care clinic, except by mail or fax...

Standards that could have helped solve these problems have been available since 1991. But 17 years later, the industry still doesn't follow them. US health care providers and systems vendors haven't agreed on any unique patient identification codes, universal schemas or global XML data models.

Moreover, they have no real incentives to pursue them. Providers see no direct economic benefit from adopting interoperable electronic health records. For vendors, open standards threaten services revenue and lower barriers to competition.

I believe there should be a free-market way for insurance companies to force this to happen.