Archive for 2006
December 19th, 2006
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is simply the transmission of voice traffic over IP-based networks.
The Internet Protocol (IP) was originally designed for data networking. The success of IP in becoming a world standard for data networking has led to its adaption to voice networking.
The Economics of VoIP :
VoIP has become popular largely because of the cost advantages to consumers over traditional telepone networks. Most Americans pay a flat monthly fee for local telephone calls and a per-minute charge for long-distance calls.
VoIP calls can be placed across the Internet. Most Internet connections are charged using a flat monthly fee structure.
Using the Internet connection for both data traffic and voice calls can allow consumers to get rid of one monthly payment. In addition, VoIP plans do not charge a per-minute fee for long distance.
For International calling, the monetary savings to the consumer from switching to VoIP technology can be enormous.
VoIP phones and VoIP telephony solutions :
There are three methods of connecting to a VoIP network:
- Using a VoIP telephone
- Using a “normal” telephone with a VoIP adapter
- Using a computer with speakers and a microphone
Types of VoIP Calls :
VoIP telephone calls can be placed either to other VoIP devices, or to normal telephones on the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).
Calls from a VoIP device to a PSTN device are commonly called “PC-to-Phone” calls, even though the VoIP device may not be a PC.
Calls from a VoIP device to another VoIP device are commonly called “PC-to-PC” calls, even though neither device may be a PC.
December 14th, 2006
Depression is a serious illness that can render a person disabled in their work, family, and social life. But, it doesn’t have to.
1. Is depression a mental illness?
Yes, depression is a serious, but treatable, mental problem. It is a medical problem not a personal weakness. It is also very common, affecting 10% of the U.S. population at any given time. Everybody at one point or another will feel sadness as a reaction to loss, grief, or injured self-esteem, but clinical depression, called “major depressive disorder” or “major depression” by doctors, is a serious medical illness that needs professional diagnosis and treatment.
2. Do children get depression?
Yes. Children are subject to the same factors that cause depression in adults. These include: Change in physical health, life events, heredity, or inheritance, environment, and chemical disturbance in the brain. It is estimated that 2.5% of children in the U.S. suffer from depression
Depression in children is different from the “normal” blues and everyday emotions that are typical in children of various ages. Children who are depressed experience changes in their behavior that are persistent and disruptive to their normal lifestyle, usually interfering with relationships with friends, schoolwork, special interests, and family life. It may also occur at the same time as (or be hidden by)attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or conduct disorder (CD).
3. Can a lack of sleep cause depression?
No. Lack of sleep alone cannot cause depression, but it does play a role. Lack of sleep resulting from another medical illness or the presence of personal problems can intensify depression. Chronic inability to sleep is also an important clue that someone may be depressed.
Common triggers of depression include:
Family history of depression.
Grief over the loss of a loved one through death, divorce, or separation.
Interpersonal disputes.
Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
Major life events such as moving, graduating or retiring, etc.
Serious illness. Major, chronic, and terminal illnesses often contribute to depression. These include cancer, heart disease, stroke, HIV, Parkinson’s disease, and others.
Substance abuse. Many people with substance abuse problems also have major depression.
Being socially isolated or excluded from family, friends, or other social groups.
4. Are there any alternatives to the traditional treatments for depression that I can try?
Alternative therapy describes any treatment or technique that has not been scientifically documented or identified as safe or effective for a specific condition. Alternative therapy involves a variety of disciplines that include everything from diet and exercise to mental conditioning and lifestyle changes. Some of these have been found to be effective for treating depression. Examples of alternative therapies include acupuncture, guided imagery, chiropractic care, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, aromatherapy, relaxation, herbal remedies, massage, and many others. If you are interested in trying any of these options, talk to your doctor.
5. How can you determine if an illness is causing depression or depression is causing an illness?
Illnesses that can lead to depression are usually major, chronic, and/or terminal. When an illness is causing depression, there is often long-term pain present or there is a sudden change in lifestyle.
Depression causes illness in a different way. Like psychological stress, it can weaken the immune system (cells involved in fighting disease and keeping you healthy) allowing a person to get more colds or the flu. There is often a notable presence of “aches and pains” with no particular cause. Having depression may also cause an illness to last longer and intensify its symptoms, but the true relationship of depression-induced illness, in terms of major disease, has not been thoroughly defined.
It is important to seek the advice of your doctor if you think you or someone you know may have depression.
6. I’ve heard lots of warnings about drug interactions with certain depression medicines. What are they?
MAOIs, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, are effective antidepressant medicines that have been used for years. Typically prescribed for people with severe depression, MAOIs improve mood by increasing the number of chemicals in the brain that pass messages between brain cells. They have proven to work just as well as other antidepressant drugs, but they have more possible food and drug interactions.
Medicines to avoid when taking MAOIs include all SSRIs (a group of antidepressants that includes Prozac and Paxil) and certain pain medicines including Demerol. There are also some cough medicines and blood pressure medicines that must not be taken with MAOIs. Foods to avoid when taking MAOIs include aged cheeses and meats, avocado, pickled or smoked foods like sauerkraut or meat, and foods that include yeast extracts like beer and wine. It is important to tell your doctor about any medicines you are currently taking. Be sure to discuss the limitations, interactions,] and possible side effects of MAOIs.
7. Why are women more likely to get depression?
Women develop depression twice as often as men. One reason may be the various changes in hormone levels that women experience. For example, depression is common during pregnancy and menopause, as well as after giving birth, suffering a miscarriage, or having a hysterectomy — these are all times when women experience huge fluctuations in hormones. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), an extreme form of PMS, may also cause depression.
8. Do most people with depression commit suicide?
No. Most people who suffer from depression do not attempt suicide, but according to the National Mental Health Association, 30-70% of suicide victims have suffered from some form of depression. This figure demonstrates the importance of seeking professional treatment for yourself or someone you love if you suspect depression.
9. Will someone who has had depression get it again?
Having experienced an episode of depression does put a person at greater risk for future episodes, but not everyone who has recovered from depression will experience it again. Sometimes depression is triggered by a major life event, illness, or a combination of factors particular to a certain place and time. Getting the proper treatment for the correct amount of time is crucial to recovery and in helping prevent or identify any future depression.
10. How long does depression last?
If left untreated, various types of depressive disorders can last for years. A major depressive episode is characterized by a set of symptoms that last for more than two weeks and may last for months. Seasonal depression, or SAD, usually extends throughout the winter months and continues to improve during spring and summer. Bipolar disorder is characterized as “ups” (periods of mania) and “downs” (periods of extreme depression). Though these phases may change rapidly or slowly, bipolar depression may last until an effective treatment is found. Dysthymia is mild and more difficult to identify and may last for years if left untreated.
Treating Depression with Medication
antidepressants Depression Medications
There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat depression. These antidepressants all work to take away or reduce the symptoms of depression.
However, questions remain on the safety of antidepressant medications in children and adolescents. In October 2004, the FDA directed the manufacturers of all antidepressant drugs to revise the labeling of their products to include a boxed warning alerting consumers to an increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents being treated with these drugs. Learn more.
How Does Your Doctor Select Which Antidepressant to Administer?
Your mental health professional chooses which antidepressant medicine to give you based depend on your symptoms, the presence of other medical conditions, what other medicines you are taking, cost of the prescribed treatments, and potential side effects. If you have had depression before, your doctor will usually prescribe the same medicine you responded to in the past. If you have a family history of depression, medicines that have been effective in treating your family member(s) will be considered.
Usually you will start taking the medicine at a low dose. The dose will be gradually increased until you start to see an improvement (unless side effects emerge).
How Long Will I Have to Take Antidepressants?
In order to be effective and prevent depression from recurring, antidepressant medicines are generally prescribed for 6-12 months for people who are being treated for first-time depression. Usually, these drugs must be taken regularly for at least 4-8 weeks before their full benefit takes effect. You are usually monitored closely during this time to detect the development of side effects and to determine the effectiveness of treatment.
When you and your doctor determine that you are better, your doctor may gradually taper you off your medicines. Once you and your doctor have determined it is safe for you to stop taking your medicine altogether, you should continue to be monitored during periodic follow-up appointments (about every three months) to detect any signs of depression recurrence.
You should never discontinue any medication without talking to your doctor about it first.
Long-term treatment with depression medicine may be recommended to prevent further episodes of depression in people who have already suffered from two or more episodes of major depression.
Will I Become Addicted If I Take Antidepressants?
Antidepressant medicines are not addictive; they do not make you “high,” have a tranquilizing effect, or produce a craving for more.
November 25th, 2006
Are you looking for an MP3 player but am not sure which type and model to buy? There is a wide variety of MP3 players out there, from flash memory based players to hard drive based players. Choosing a good player from the market is no easy task. What features should you look for? What are the key considerations? This article aims to answer those questions and more. Now, let’s see how we can pick the perfect MP3 player.
Types of MP3 player
There are essentially four types of MP3 players in the market today. These include flash-based players, hard-drive based players and MP3 CD players. Let’s look at them in turn.
Flash-based MP3 players
Flash-based MP3 players have a flash memory chip built-in. They tend to be very tiny, ultra-portable and have no moving parts. As a user, you can do all your sports activities without worrying about your music skipping a beat. The downside to flash players is their high cost per megabyte. These players range from 32MB to 2GB, and the most popular models tend to be those from the Creative Muvo line, the iRiver iFP series and more recently, the Apple iPod Shuffle.
Hard-drive based MP3 players
Hard-drive based MP3 players use a 1.8-inch hard disk drive to store your music. The hard disk can hold large amounts of music – we’re talking about 10GB and above. If you have a large music library and want to store tons of music, a hard-drive based MP3 player is the way to go. The cost per megabyte is very low. The downside? Well, due to the hard disk drive, which has moving parts, these players are not suited for rough physical activity or extreme sports. One of the most popular MP3 players in this category is the Apple iPod, which is selling like hot cakes out there.
Micro hard-drive based MP3 players
More recently, manufacturers have come up with micro hard-drive based MP3 players like the Apple iPod Mini, Creative Zen Micro and Rio Carbon. Featuring a smaller hard drive (which still gives ample storage space of about 4 to 5 GB), they have a much more compact design compared to full fledged hard disk players. The few models mentioned above are selling like crazy too.
MP3 CD players
MP3 CD players are another type of MP3 player. These units look and feel like regular CD players. You can burn up to 150 MP3 songs to fill one CD-R disc, then play it on the unit. The disadvantage of such players is their large size and their tendency to skip if jostled.
Key Features of MP3 Players
Having looked at the different types of MP3 players, let’s look at the key features of an MP3 player.
Size and weight: If you’re looking to bring your MP3 player on trips or on sporting activities, a small compact design is very important. In such cases, you should go for a small flash based player or one of the micro hard drive players.
Storage capacity: This is an important factor too. If you need to store your whole music library into the MP3 player, then you probably need a hard drive based player with 10GB of storage or above. If you only want a few select songs to listen to on the subway, then a flash based player would suffice. Do take note that some players offer expansion slots in the form of CompactFlash or SD cards.
Battery Life: This is often overlooked. Battery life is a very important consideration, especially if you’re out with your player and have no way to recharge. Hard disk players tend to have lithium-ion rechargeable batteries while some flash players offer AAA battery support. I personally own a Creative MuVo Micro N200 which uses AAA batteries. This is great for me because once it runs out, I can just pop in a new one – no hassles about finding some electrical socket to recharge.
Connectivity Options: The way the MP3 player connects to your computer is also an important factor. The latest models tend to support high-speed USB 2.0 transfers. The better ones like the Apple iPod also give Firewire support.
File Format Support: You will most likely be wanting to play MP3 songs on your player. However, if you want to listen to a wider variety of music files, like WMA or OGG Vorbis, then make sure you see it in the player specs.
Other Considerations
Many of the latest players also include features I’ve not covered in the above. For example, some players come with a built-in FM tuner, which is very useful if you get tired of your MP3 music. Other have a built-in voice recorder which allows you to record audio as WAV files.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many considerations to think about when purchasing an MP3 player. To get the most suitable player, you want to think about how you will use the player. Usage should drive your purchase decision. The other thing to take note of is to shop around, both online and offline – compare prices before shelling out the cash. Good luck hunting for that MP3 player!
November 19th, 2006
Cholesterol, lower cholesterol, the latest on cholesterol
What is it ?
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found in all parts of the body i.e nervous system, skin, muscle, liver, intestines, and heart. It is generated by the body. It is also obtained from animal products in the diet.
Cholesterol : of what use?
Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver for normal body functions, including the production of hormones, bile acid, and vitamin D. It is transported in the blood to be used by all parts of the body.
Food that sources cholesterol
Cholesterol is found in eggs, dairy products, meat, and poultry. Egg yolks and organ meats (liver, kidney, sweetbread, and brain) are high in cholesterol.Fish generally contains less cholesterol than other meats, but some shellfish is high in cholesterol.Foods of plant origin (vegetables, fruits, grains, cereals, nuts, and seeds) contain no cholesterol.
Fat content is not a good measure of cholesterol content. Liver and other organ meats are low in fat, but very high in cholesterol.
Risk factors : You are supposed to have a greater risk of developing heart disease or atherosclerosis as your level of blood cholesterol increases.
Cholesterol level :
High cholesterol levels often begin in childhood. Some children may be at higher risk due to a family history of high cholesterol. Generally it is good to have total cholesterol to be less than 200 mg/dl, because that level carries the least risk of heart disease. When the level is above 200 mg/dl, the risk for heart disease increases.
You should also know your levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL, also known as the “good cholesterol”) and low density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad cholesterol”).
How to lower cholesterol levels :
Limit total fat intake to 25% to 35% of total daily calories.
Less than 7% of daily calories should be from saturated fat, not more than 10% should be from polyunsaturated fat, and not more than 20% from monounsaturated fat.
Eat less than 200 milligrams (mg) of dietary cholesterol per day.
Get more fiber in your diet.
Lose weight.
Increase physical activity.
The recommendations for children’s diets are similar to those of adults.
It is very important that children get enough calories to support their growth and activity level, and that the child achieve and maintain a desirable body weight.
The following two sample menus provide examples of an average American diet and a low-fat diet.
Normal diet (For Americans):
breakfast
1 egg scrambled in 1 teaspoon of butter
2 slices of white toast
1 teaspoon of butter
1/2 cup of apple juice
snack
1 cake donut
lunch
1 ham and cheese sandwich (2 ounces of meat, 1 ounce of cheese)
white bread
1 teaspoon of mayonnaise
1-ounce bag potato chips
12-ounce soft drink
2 chocolate chip cookies
snack
8 wheat thins
dinner
3 ounces of broiled sirloin
1 medium baked potato
1 tablespoon of sour cream
1 teaspoon of butter
1/2 cup of peas, 1/2 teaspoon of butter
Totals: 2,000 Calories, 84 grams fat, 34 grams saturated fat, 425 milligrams cholesterol. The diet is 38% total fat, 15% saturated fat.
Low FAT cholesterol Diet :
breakfast
1 cup of toasted oat ring cereal
1 cup of skim milk
1 slice of whole-wheat bread
1 teaspoon of margarine
1 banana
snack
1 cinnamon raisin bagel, 1/2 ounce light cream cheese
lunch
turkey sandwich (3 ounces of turkey)
rye bread
lettuce
1 orange
3 fig newtons
1 cup skim milk
snack
non fat yogurt with fruit
dinner
3 ounces of broiled chicken breast
1 medium baked potato
1 tablespoon of nonfat yogurt
1 teaspoon of margarine
1/2 cup of broccoli
1 dinner roll
1 cup skim milk
Totals: 2,000 Calories, 38 grams fat, 9.5 grams saturated fat, 91 milligrams cholesterol. The diet is 17% fat, 4% saturated fat.
Comparison
For the same number of calories, a low-fat diet provides 190 mg of cholesterol, compared to 510 mg of cholesterol for an average American diet.
Because fat is high in calories, the low-fat diet actually has more food than the typical American diet.
Diet for children :
Children should have a diet that is closer to 30% of calories from fat. Lower-fat diets may be appropriate in some children, but require careful follow-up from a physician and dietitian.
October 24th, 2006
Parents who want to wipe pirated music from their children’s PCs and companies that want to see if their employees are using file-sharing software at the office can use a free program developed by the global music and movie trade groups as part of their ongoing campaign to stop piracy.
Digital File Check, the software developed by the Danish arm of the International Federation for the Phonographic Industry and made available on the Internet on Thursday, is designed to “help people clean up their computers,” the London-based federation said.DFC searches a personal computer for any of 198 versions of Internet file-sharing software such as Kazaa, eDonkey and WinMX and allows the user to either restrict their use by a password or delete them.A separate function looks first in special “sharing” folders and then through the whole PC for film and music files that “are likely to be” pirated, the group said, but could also very well be legitimate music or files that have no explicit copyright.
“I think this is something that people will welcome who are not computer-literate,” said John Kennedy, federation chairman. “We hope this helps them move checking out their computer further up on the to-do list.”
The free download is available on the industry groups’ international sites, but the effort may also be rolled out separately later in the United States, the group said.
Technically, the software only searches a PC for certain file names and extensions that identify whether it is likely to be a media file and does not examine the contents of the files. But the simple design of Digital File Check makes it more likely to be used than a manual search, which requires knowledge of those various file types, Kennedy said.
A notice in DFC acknowledges to the user that file-sharing software is not illegal. But it notes that “mostly all file-sharing activity is illegal because it involves copying and distributing copyrighted material online without permission from the copyright holders.”
Tobias Andersson, a spokesman for Piratbyran, a grass roots, anti-copyright organization in Sweden, dismissed the effort as “naive.”
“There may be one or two parents who will mess things up for their kids,” Andersson said. “But I don’t see that too many people will use it.”
Noting that “parents download from file-sharing sites too,” Andersson said that he doubted the move would “do harm to the pirate community.”
Pirated files, generally shared by so-called peer-to-peer networks, are largely blamed for a steady decline in music sales over the past four years.
Adrian Strain, spokesman for the IFPI, said Digital File Check is a passive tool - educational and informational - and does not require the user to actually delete anything on the PC.
The software also does not look for commercial applications that may be counterfeited or pirated, though Kennedy said that function could be added later.
Digital File Check also does not communicate its findings with the IFPI or any other party, Strain said. Its Internet connection is only for updating the versions of file-sharing software.
The release of the software on Thursday was the first against piracy that joined both the music lobbyists and their movie counterparts, the Motion Picture Association.
Kennedy, whose oldest child is 15 years old, said he used Digital File Check on his own computer. “It came out clean, I’m glad to say,” he added.
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