The handheld technology that’s evolved over the past seven to ten years is astounding. In the early to middle part of the last decade I could never imagine I’d have access to global maps (down to street detail), transit schedules, hotel and restaurant reviews, flight schedules check-in, travel apps and so much more right in my hand.

In fact when I visit a new city in the U.S. I never even pack a map. Google maps functions perfectly everywhere, and even includes transit schedules in many major cities. I can land in a strange city and plan my route from the airport to downtown while the plane is taxiing to the gate.

The downside is you can become very dependent on it. Or at least I have. When I travel outside the U.S. I’m forced to give up my constant web access unless I uprade to an expensive plan that includes data roaming. My budget says no thanks. Like most of my friends my data roaming is always turned off upon landing outside my home borders. With data and downloads at $19.95 a megabyte I don’t care to come home to a $25,000 phone bill.

But my smartphone is still extremely useful overseas thanks to the prevalence of public and private WiFi . I use Skype for my calls, which has an iPhone app so well integrated you forget you’re using Skype and not just making standard calls. (It even incorporates your contact lists.) I do admit to texting at 50 cents a text, but do so sparingly. (That is useful for maintaining contact when traveling with friends.) But above all, any WiFi signal for an iPhone or any smartphone opens the same access doors you have back home. In most major cities WiFi is extremely easy to find and use, so long as you know and take precaution against connecting to unsecured signals.

When abroad and opting out of data roaming, one feature I often use is the iPhone screenshot feature. This takes a photo of whatever is on your iPhone screen, then saves it to your photos for future reference. You simply hold down down the center button while quickly pressing the top (power) button. Your screen flashes as the screenshot is saved. I didn’t know about or use this feature until a year ago, and find some people who aren’t aware of this marvelous tool.

It’s a phenomenal tool if you want to retrieve an important document on your iPhone, but won’t have web access. For example an email with directions; rather than printing and carrying paper, or copying and pasting it to the “notes” app, simply take a screenshot and look at the photo.

My most recent and most useful example: A week ago I did a couple road trips in the Netherlands. Unable to find a decent map at my Denver library I planned to just purchase one at a gas station there. Before leaving I Google mapped the route from Amsterdam to Zeeland, which involved several busy and congested freeway interchanges around Rotterdam. I simply took screenshots of the route, and close up shots of the important interchanges, and saved them one by one to my phone. (Fortunately I was the passenger and able to fully concentrate as navigator.) I never even needed the a paper map.

Scrolling through the photos of the maps it reminded me of the old days when AAA would create a “Triptik” for their members – a small rectangular booklet with maps and turn by turn directions that you’d leaf through while driving. Even without web access this proved to be an amazingly easy way to not get lost and save money on maps or car rental GPS.

As shown below I’ve also used it for other maps – by taking a screenshot at the apartment with WiFi, then referencing it while out on the town.

Since 2007 Guido Van Den Elshout, a Dutch hotel owner and blogger, has featured sleek and modern concepts and manufacturers, including even some chairs that are simply ridiculous, and some not so relaxing, if you’re having this sort of day.

Plenty of other fun, abstract and functional chairs to cruise through for fun, or for furniture ideas. And a lot larger selection than Ikea.

chairblog.eu

Run by collectors Count and Bibi Bayliss, their mission is to display and educate how robots have influenced science, art, and transferred to pop culture as well. On virtual “display” is a real collection of small robots, and personally crafted beings they’ve built themselves.

The site Entre Todas has an interview with the MOR founders, who describe their latest exhibit featuring Clayton Bailey – shown in the video.

I’ve never explored Second Life, but some browsing led me to this SL Dance Party, which looked really fun until I realized that the real me was still sitting at my computer drinking coffee. However for displaying art, or creating a space to share with the world – this 3D environment is a fascinating way to do it. And perhaps becoming more and more mainstream.

CNET has a review of the top five AAA battery operated MP3 players. The scenario being you’re on a long hiking trip, trek, or wilderness somewhere inaccessible to an AC outlet – and want to continue enjoying your tunes without worry of powered recharges.

However as soon as I read this one gadget came to mind: USB Solar chargers. A solar charger can easily mitigate this problem. Not much larger than a few packs of batteries, and lighter too. I have the Solaris charger. Its a little clamshell device with three fold out panels and charges up your iPod or other USB device.

Granted you’re probably active during the day and don’t want to waste time watching your gear slowly soak up the sun, but they do work. I’ve placed mine in a hotel room window during the morning, and have taken it camping and watched it recharge my iPod.  Another option is the larger Soldius 1 Solar Charger.

Certainly a bit slower, but a green and battery-free option.

Ken Clark is an advocate for the Yellow Pages Industry and often engages in spirited discussions on various blogs and sites, including mine. Ken Clark has also been operating the “Yellow Pages Environmental Forum” blog in order to debunk myths regarding the phone book’s demise. On these blogs Ken whips up numbers and statistics to defend the use of phone books, and also confronts percentages and figures levied by his opponents. Stats and figures from both sides are slung around fast like cowboy lassos on the plains. My view on this issue is based on what I observe, my behavior, and what my friends, co-workers, and peers do. Proudly non-scientific.

I took a read through his site last week, and my thoughts follow below. But first let’s bring up something that hasn’t made its way into the print versus internet debate yet.

One of Ken’s arguments for the continued propagation of phone books is that not all households have access to internet, and some that do are still on dial-up. However to my knowledge no one has mentioned the proliferation of mobile devices. These devices utilize cell providers and aren’t tethered to a land or Wi-Fi connections, thus negating arguments about the user being obligated to maintain a high speed internet account.

Mobile case in point: Me. A few months back I purchased the iPhone after the 3G model was released. Among being able to now send mobile blog posts from my booth at Barracuda’s, a far more useful tool is the stand alone Google Maps feature which allows you to type in any business, view their location on a map, and locate the business closest to you based on internal GPS.

I was in Florida a few weeks back. I had a lot of driving to do and forgot my iPod car cable. From the Tampa airport I “google mapped” Radio Shack and immediately found one on Busch Blvd, in the general direction I was heading. The next day, in Ocala, I needed a Walgreens to print some color photos and buy a few picture frames. From I-75 I typed it in and located the nearest one. This took all of 10 seconds, just like in this YouTube demo. Not only did I get the nearest business on map in relation to my location, but I could also call the business with one button, or visit their website. We also found a Waffle House in Tampa, again not by rummaging through the ratty motel phone book or stopping at a gas station asking to borrow a filthy copy, rather by hitting one button, typing “Waffle House,” and immediately viewing a map with directions on my mobile.

This isn’t a plug for the iPhone. There are many devices like the Sprint Instinct and Google’s new Android which house full internet functions in the palm of your hand. Technology writer Josh Mossberg from the Wall Street Journal explains that the separation of cell phone and mobile device is rapidly diminishing. More and more cell phones have the ability to search, surf, and locate while on the go. Almost everyone of all economic background owns a cell phone, and these features are creeping in to lower and lower price points. In terms of usability its far superior to a phone book: The screens on these mobile devices are sharp and easy to read – vastly overperforming their counterparts like the Razr phone. For a business person or frequent traveler this feature becomes something wonderfully essential. Even my Asus EEE “travel PC”, pictured above next to my iPhone, is about 1/4 the width of a phone book, and about 1/10 of the weight.

About Yellow Pages Environmental Forum…

First, this blog claims to be a balanced discussion between environmentalism and the yellow pages industry; however I see the green movement mocked and dismissed in many posts. Just like statistics and figures, you can find articles written to back up any position. The list of negative content under the “Green News” category baffles me since the site says it attempts to be balanced. In fact its quite argumentative and defensive.

Second, I’m a bit dismayed at Ken’s discounting of blogs as “half a brain” kid stuff activities.

You’ve seen them — bloggers who by virtue of the fact that they have a keyboard, an Internet connection, and half a brain can start spewing all kinds of inaccuracies across hyperspace.

In this post he quotes my article from March of this year discussing opt-outs. My post is also incorrectly linked and my words referenced to an spam aggregator site that ripped off my content.

If the blogosphere is so irrelevant to the industry, then Ken wouldn’t have created his own blog. In addition, the questioning of phone books and their sales tactics isn’t limited to small scale local community blogs like mine. Dan Savage at Seattle’s The Stranger has taken on phone books. the Consumerist has brought up this issue. The Denver Post addressed the concern when another wallop of books hit our area, and local NBC affiliate KUSA did a story over the summer too. These aren’t bored twentysomethings sitting in their parents’ basement trying to pick on Ken. These are solid media outlets. And even if it is “citizen journalism,” these are people who’ve taken the time to craft their thoughts and articulate their views for others to read. To outright dismiss them as “half brained” dimwits doesn’t bode well for the source.

Third, an item on the YP Green blog that I question is the correlation between the size of an ad versus the reputation of the company. Ken seems to think that a company willing to place a half page ad in a yellow book will separate it from the “fly by night” companies:

When you use a book you also get a quick visual indication (subjective as it is) about the viability of the business you are looking at – those print ads aren’t free and if that company has bought a half page ad this is probably not some fly-by-night, Johnny come lately company

I disagree. Take moving companies for example. They’re among the worst industries for customer abuse, and occupy some of the largest real estate in local phone books. If ABC Moving changed hands over the summer and service has been dodgy, I’m not going to find out about that via their full page ad. However if I do a local Google search for movers and find a history of crummy service I’ll know to avoid them. Consumer reviews, whether published on large sites like Angie’s List, or a sole rant on a blog, level the playing field for the consumer and make huge impacts on the decision making process. Running a search for positive or negative reviews is a key component. Even Dwight Schrute agrees that Trip Advisor is key to maintaining his Bed and Breakfast’s reputation. You won’t find up to date concerns about Schrute Farms in your yellow pages.

Lastly, Ken Clark’s assertion that young people refuse to use media unless its online or digital is incorrect, or at least in my case. I occasionally leaf through a discarded newspaper while riding the bus. At times grab a copy of La Voz while waiting for the train station para practicar mi español. And, when I travel, I always carry a good paperback from my local used bookstore with me, which I pass along to others upon finishing. How’s that for paying the print forward? My non-stop deliveries of the yellow pages however will still wind up in the recycle bin. A futile production.

Related posts:

Dear Phone Book Publisher
More on Phone Books
Phone Book Follow Up
More Phone Book Pontification

I said the best way to handle this is to treat your portable computers as nothing more than “dummy terminals,” and keep all your files either stored online or on a small flash drive that you can store on your body or in your shoe while passing through customs.

Here’s another idea, via Gizmodo: the “Dog Tag Flash Drive.” Made by olinari, this piece  of jewelry keeps your SD card right around your neck. This little necklace holds a memory card inside, and I like the idea of “hiding” something so close that they wouldn’t even suspect it.

It can also work if you find yourself in a situation where you need a backup memory card, but lack pockets or clothing for whatever TMI reason. Its definitely a pricey toy at $175, but a cool idea.

Over the weekend I decided to forgo purchasing yet another transmitter and look into an in-dash unit that has an iPod or MP3 player plug. Thus I can rock out on the wide open road without annoying interference and changing frequencies.

I haven’t shopped for a car stereo in over 10 years. Our current Saturn has a factory unit with CD/radio which has worked fine. (Except for the iPod issue.) I figured with 10 plus years of design improvements I could find a nice clean looking in-dash unit, splurge for installation, and be happy as a clam for a few hundred dollars.

No such luck. Why does every car stereo look exactly like the one I bought for my Pontiac 6000 in 1987? The buttons are all too tiny, they’re too shiny, and the poor layout gives an aesthetic appeal of a 1970s Hi-Fi turnable deck. No wait I take that back. Albeit bulky those were actually laid out well with easy access controls. Why in the age of portable personal audio with firm control wheels and metallic housing for under $200 are similarly priced car radios so atrociously ugly and plasticy? Have any of these electronics architects ever heard of the term “soft key?” I realize I’m not reviewing the high end stuff, but I don’t need or want seatback DVD players and video screens. I just want my iPod to play clear and I don’t want my car to look like Chuck Cranston’s truck from “Footloose” – with the propped up ghetto blaster and all.

Since I don’t want to replace my flush factory unit with one of these eyesores I’m now considering another FM transmitter. If you have a stellar one that you use and like please let me know. Based on some initial searching I’m considering the “iPod Trip,” the “DLO TransPod” or the “Belkin Clearscan” which automatically scans and finds the best frequency.

Now let’s have a look at what I WON’T be buying: This Kenwood is only $160 and has an iPod input. But the design and style? Ugh…

This Alpine unit has the features I want, but looks as though its being reflected off a funhouse mirror.

The dials on this JVC unit could blind someone in the sun.

At $349 the below Alpine is less cluttered with a large button panel, but for some reason straight lines are impossible to find on any unit.

This Alpine finally achieves a decent standard, but at $699 its more than I want to spend. I guess $700 plus installation is the demarcation line in which swooping and diving neo-futuristic lines cease to exist.

Also for some reason Cartoys.com still has “In-Dash Cassettes” listed on their drop down. But it leads to an empty page. Best Buy’s selection isn’t any more attractive.

I watched the Spirit landing in 2004 and it was more than suspenseful listening to the communications and updates from NASA’s JPL.  Also on hand are knowledgeable experts in the field who give lectures and play by play during the descent and landing.

The event starts Sunday at 4pm.  Its $10 for non-members, and you can enjoy a $5 pasta dinner.  

More details and article from space.com.

You’d think since my home and office are the two places I reside at for the greater part of my existance that I would have ordered me up a new phone by now, but I guess I’d rather put up with crummy service than spend a Saturday at the mall waiting for an hour at a cell phone store talking endlessly about plans, texting, contracts, features, the web, number of minutes, and on and on with enthusiastic young salespeople.  I make calls, text, and take photos.  That’s it.  My ringtone is set to default, and except for changing my wallpaper to Chichen Itza that’s the only customizing I’ve ever done on a cell phone.

Here’s a feature that came to my attention which may sway my carrier choice.  I am smart enough to realize I need to dump my shitty Verizon service, but I didn’t know who to switch to, and again I really just don’t care or want to deal with it.

One feature I’d like is the ability to use a cell phone overseas.  For most folks using their cell phone overseas is a no go.  You need a special phone, or have to buy a chip or card.   I haven’t used my cell phone outside of the states except for Mexico, where I can easily make calls without additional equipment.  Maybe it’s easy, but having never done it seems like a cumbersome ordeal, and of course I loathe visiting cell phone stores.

This phone by T-Mobil has a feature which will connect through any Wi-Fi point – allowing you to make and receive calls from anywhere there’s Wi-Fi.  Apparently Wi-Fi calling is the same price everywhere, regardless of location, and of course will work in the most remotest of service areas provided there’s a Wi-Fi connection.  If you’re sitting at a coffee chop in Addis Ababa it will ring.  No expensive equipment or lengthy setup, and much less bulkier than a satellite phone.

Pictured is the Blackberry 8120 Pearl phone, the entry level Blackberry.  By selecting “Hot Spot @ Home” from the feature list of T-Mobil’s phone site you can see all phones available with Wi-Fi calling.  To me this is cool.  And even at home if my service is not perfect I can simply switch the phone to MY Wi-Fi.

For the frequent overseas traveler this is a phone and feature worth considering.  If anyone has a phone with this feature I’d love to hear about it, and know whether it’s easy (or not) to switch between cell and Wi-Fi calling.    When my contract with Verizon is up in June I’ll most likely be changing over to this and will post an update.

by Caleb Cross and James Van Dellen

A far greater value than my local Walgreens, who can’t even spell “passport” correctly…

Original Article from The Tao of Making Money via Consumerist.

Are hard drives going the way of zip drives and the good old 5 and 1/4?  Solid state drives, which use flash memory are more reliable, rugged, and lighter.   No moving parts =  less damage.   From Suzann Choney at MSNBC.

Business or pleasure travelers wanting to stay connected usually have two options: Lug along their notebook PCs, which for minimalist travelers like myself hog valuable real estate plus require precautions against theft and damage, (hello TSA,) OR - use public internet terminals, and conduct personal business while maintaining a healthy paranoia and a vigilant eye against malware.

I’ve gone both routes depending on my needs:  I don’t mind flying with my clunky older Sony Vaio if I’ll be staying in one place for a long period.  And during a road trip or ski weekend, (where most motels have WiFi,) it’s easy to just throw my Vaio in the trunk.  Much of the U.S., from rural Wyoming to Orange County suburbia lack internet cafes where you can quickly pop in for session.  Hence it’s often worth the short term hassle of toting your laptop.  But still, I often travel for a few days with just a messenger bag, and cramming in my laptop and power cord adds bulk, weight, and inconvenience, (hello again TSA.)

I don’t take my laptop to big cities or international destinations.  Most large cities have ample internet cafes, (like Quetzal in San Francisco,) and so long as you’re careful about how you submit personal information cafes suffice just fine for checking mail, city research, activity planning, and quick tasks like printing maps.  While internet cafes abound in cities abroad, some on every block, there are enough in large U.S. cities too.

Now the bridge-gapper:  It’s the Asus EEE (Tiny) PC.  Released last fall this small computer measures 9 by 6.5 inches, with a 7 inch 800 x 480 screen.  The Asus includes its own OS with Firefox and open office.  Caleb begrudgingly modified this version to accommodate windows, all while questioning why anyone, (me,) would want to scar such a beautiful machine with Windows.  There is no hard drive in the EEE, rather it uses USB memory sticks, and also has a slot to expand the internal memory via a 1 or 2 gig card. 

It’s simple, clean, and functional.  Little surprises are found about the machine, such as the far right side of the touch pad which acts as a scroll function.  Also included is a webcam and microphone, which when tested by us worked great with Skype.  There are three USB ports, which are more than some expensive full notebooks have.

The light and little ASUS can fit with ease into briefcases, messenger bags, backpacks among rumpled up clothing, and (I’d guess,) even large purses.  For travel purposes it’s perfect.   Once you get used to the small keyboard you can whip out e-mails, surf the net, upload your photos, post to your blog, and accomplish everything you’d want while traveling without the heavy physical burden of a full notebook.

Potential drawbacks?   Obviously keyboard size, but for me it only took a small learning curve to become accustomed to the smaller keys.  If my fat fingers can learn to type rapidly on this board anyone else can too.  Also if you’re planning to use the Asus as a “remote PC” for work then you’ll want to make sure that your company’s VPN software can run on Linux.  (Or install Windows.)   The screen could utilize more of the frame; however the next generation will most likely feature a 10 inch option.

Internal storage is nominal, but I’ve never cared about this.  My one computer mantra is “treat all of your computers as dummy terminals,“ meaning all of your content such as photos, music, documents, and writings should NEVER be stored on a PC hard drive, but rather an external and separate hard drive, or backed up to CDs and flash drives, or an FTP site.  (Preferably two or more.)   Your PC crashes?  Yeah you have to spend an evening reinstalling the OS and programs, but your most important “files of life” are untouched.

Overall I love it.  This is my new friend at home and abroad.   And I think the EEE will have a great time in Amsterdam come this March.

Here are some photos of the black model from Digital-Daily.  More photos (better than mine below,) from Gizmodo.   Check out some of the reviews and see if the Asus might be your new travel companion, or further info at the Official EEE site:  eeepc.asus.com

By James Van Dellen and Caleb Cross

Trintec also features a bunch of other aviation and marine chachki.  Perfect for your friend who spends hours and hours on Microsoft Flight Sim.

I like them and use them at work as I rotate between sips of coffee, water, and espresso from the cafe downstairs.  But I picture these more suited completing a wood paneled den, surrounding bottles of whiskey and tiny boats inside of bottles. They’re at trintec.com.

If you’re completely bored by this and follow my articles of travel, restaurants, clubs, and Denver life – you should skip this and read my story on American Airlines flight 1469. However as insurance starts to cover this equipment more type 1 diabetics will be utilizing this and similar monitors – so hopefully this will help those new to this.

In brief: Pager size insulin pumps are used by type 1 diabetics in lieu of injections. Pumps better mimic the pancreas by giving a constant dose of insulin with manual doses at meals or as needed. An ancillary gadget called a “constant glucose sensor” sends your current blood sugar reading to your pump, providing you with a constant stream of blood sugar numbers and direction of blood sugar level – rather than the lone number obtained from a finger prick.

Overall it’s an incredible life changing tool for a type 1 diabetic. Knowing the TREND of your glucose is something that was only in the realm of imagination for years. Now, to be aware and know your blood sugar minute by minute, WITHOUT the need for (as many) messy finger pricks is an enormous step forward. And to have to blood glucose number sent directly to a small screen is a wonder of med-techy synergy.

Here are the drawbacks. Well not exactly drawbacks, but things to be aware of in order to develop your own workarounds and methods to match your daily life.

Appearance: The sensor and transmitter piece aren’t quite as sexy looking as the photos. It’s necessary to cover them with a small dressing. No big deal – the starter kit includes transparent adhesives. Medtronic sells a pack of 100 at the astronomical price of $62, but you can find similar at Walgreens for under $5.
New Sensor Obligation: When starting a new sensor you need to allot yourself a seven hour block of “awareness time.” Better said: keep your meter handy.

After starting a new sensor you’re required to enter your first BG in two hours, then another in five hours. It’s not practical to start a new sensor late in the evening, as you’ll be alerted to enter a BG in the middle of the night. After the two and five hour BG calibrations you’ll be prompted for one BG entry (calibration) every 12 hours. This is pretty easy, and I’m getting used to “thinking 12 hours ahead.” For example if I do a calibration at 2pm, I have to remember to do one around 10pm or before bed so my pump doesn’t wake me up at 2AM requesting a calibration. Typically morning and early evening is best, (before meals,) as your BG needs to be relatively stable for the best calibrations. You can set your calibration reminders up to four hours before a necessary BG entry. But again think 12 hours ahead. If you’re planning to sleep in Saturday morning you don’t want your last Friday entry to be 6pm, or you’ll be harassed by your pump at 6am. This hasn’t been an issue so far as I’ve actually been taking MORE manual readings to test the accuracy.

Accuracy and Rapid Changes: During periods of rapid change the CGM definitely lags. If my BG is 200 and I lower it down to 100, my spot checks show it will be a bit slower to reach 100. BUT, I do show during normal periods of minor fluctuation it’s very accurate. Its stable periods (non-rapid change) it’s been leveling out matching my finger sticks within 20 points.

However I am bit disappointed in how it matches blood sugars that are rapidly rising. And I’ve found when my level is LOW and bring it up, the readings bottom out and take quite a while to reach up to where it should be. These “flat periods” and annoyances are similar to blogger Jay’s experience in this recent post. I see way too many of these stagnant periods when I KNOW my levels are changing, but the results are slow to follow and stagnate within 10 points.

Attempting to remedy this I’m experimenting with new sensor sites. I realized my last sensor was on a site where I’ve given myself many shots over the years. I’m on day two of a new sensor, placed on my upper leg, and am watching the results closely. Pasta dinner at Maggiano’s last night DID prove more accurate, although my manual checks showed little fluctuation anyway.

Sensor Life: When you start a new sensor the pump allows a three day use, and when expired instructs you to change sensors. Like infusion sites most users extend their sensor life to reach six to nine days. The “three day use” is only the number documented by clinical testing and approved by the FDA. There’s nothing unhealthy about using a site longer provided your body, (and awareness of accuracy,) are comfortable with it.

The pump sends you a “sensor end” message after three days. It’s easy to tell the pump you’ve “replaced” the sensor by selecting “Start new sensor.” Your pump will prompt you for a BG shortly, (usually 15 minutes, and not two hours from a newly inserted one.) And remember since the pump thinks you’re on a “new” sensor you’ll be prompted for the initial five hour check. Obviously there are accuracy concerns with using a sensor repeatedly, but as you learn how your body operates with the sensor you can make adjustments for that.

The sensor doesn’t like being soaked in hot water. Showers are fine, but hot tubs and baths reduce the life of the sensor. Thus if you’re removing a sensor Friday and planning on some hot tub soaking Saturday night, best to just start a new sensor Sunday as not to waste a sensor for just one or two day’s use.

Other Sensor Messages and Other Stuff

When flying you’re supposed to remove your transmitter from the sensor, and use the “Reconnect Old Sensor” feature after landing. (Or anytime after disconnecting the sensor from the transmitter.) Yeah right. I have no plans to do this. Flying is when I WANT my CG numbers as during travel my blood sugar fluctuates more due to eating crappy (or no) food. The range is less than 10 feet and not a threat to airplane safety. Minimed only tells you to do this because they have to. On a related note I took two flights over the past week and my pump and sensor did NOT set off security.

Lost Sensor: If your pump is out of range from the sensor for more than 40 minutes you’ll get a “Lost Sensor” message. Just hit “Find Lost Sensor” and you should get readings again within 15 minutes.

Cost: Unless you can stack your closet with an unlimited supply of sensors I recommend keeping your sensor life in mind when planning certain activities. As mentioned hot tubs, jello wrestling, or other activities in which you want to be “untethered from the sensor” require some planning ahead in changing of sensors. Unlike the pump you can do without the sensor and it’s readings for as long as you need to – it’s just normal life before the CGM.

Without insurance sensors are $350 for a box of 10. That’s $35 per sensor. A “wimpy” injection of your sensor can be a $35 mistake. And time consuming as well since you’ll be annoyed by “calibration errors” until you just replace it. If your insurance covers sensors with a nominal co-pay then of course you can be more liberal in use. However remember inserting a “new” sensor still requires the two hour window to start, then your five hour calibration. So even if I could afford a new sensor every three days I’d still use them longer to avoid the the calibration requirements.

Overall – grade B Balancing my expectations with my month of experience I’d give the Guardian a B, wavering between a B+ and a C+.  Each person needs to tailor their use and data according to their needs. Hopefully my experimentation with different sites will remedy my issues of “flat periods.” But keeping that in mind I still love using it. The technology WILL improve and get better, and realizing the potential it will be available to more and more people. I’ve found it addicting having the numbers at my side no matter what my activity.

If anyone is also using this or new I’d love to read your reviews. I find these almost as interesting and exciting as “How Air Traffic Control Works!” Take care and have a killer 2008!
James Van Dellen

I rarely mention this in my blog because it’s been a part of my life for so long I don’t even consider it noteworthy. Unlike an ambulatory or noticeable handicap I don’t consider type 1 diabetes to be that life altering. With proper care and planning type 1 diabetes is easily manageable, so long as you are disciplined about the food you consume and daily exercise. From traveling to scuba diving to hiking, camping, and skiing – diabetes has never prevented me from doing anything I’ve wanted in life. Oh wait – I suppose it did prevent me from becoming a professional airline pilot, but in retrospect that’s probably a good thing because my alternate life might find me unemployed living out of an efficiency apartment in suburbia. And eating nothing but fast food – thus developing type 2 diabetes.

As benign as it outwardly appears diabetes does constantly factor into your daily life. The most annoying part of type 1 diabetes is the need to constantly test your blood sugar, and also experiencing blood sugar swings. During a normal day, i.e. sitting at the office or puttering around the house it’s rarely an issue: I prick my finger and sample a drop of blood with a meter. Based on the result I take a shot if it’s too high, eat some food if it’s too low, or simply remain aware of my blood sugar level for future activities that day.

However there are times when it’s a pain in the ass to check your blood sugar. When out at a restaurant or bar with friends. Or when doing my favorite “INGS” like flying, hiking, skiing, biking – it requires me to stop what I’m doing and reference my small meter. Granted glucose meters now take less than 20 seconds to process, but it’s still something that requires an interruption. And of course those are the times you NEED to check your blood sugar more often.

For years type 1 diabetics have tested their blood and injected themselves throughout the day this way. However for the past few years many have been using a newer and more effective method of control: The Insulin Pump. Insulin pumps regulate the delivery of insulin more effectively by mimicking the pancreas: they administer a small and constant dosage throughout the day and night. This is far more controlled than ONE daily injection of a “24 hour” insulin, plus additional shots with meals. People who have given up multiple shots for the insulin pump have stabilized their blood sugars and have seen amazing improvements. And with constant delivery the pump is excellent at “holding” your blood sugar levels within a tighter range.

Yet I was never that keen on wearing a pump because I really don’t mind giving myself shots. It’s easy and I’m used to it. That and the co-pay for an insulin pump is north of $1,200. BUT – the advent of the constant glucose meter is something that I find absolutely incredible. When I learned that my insurance would now cover the insulin pump AND the constant glucose monitor I decided it was time to upgrade my gear. For the past month I have been equipped with the Minimed Paradigm insulin pump which operates in tandem with the “Guardian Real Time constant glucose monitoring system.”

The benefit of a constant glucose monitor is to reduce or eliminate major blood sugar swings. Even diabetics who exercise tight control are still subject to blood sugar ups and downs. If you eat without giving yourself sufficient insulin your blood sugar is high. If you’re exerting energy during activity and don’t eat enough food you’re subject to low blood sugar. As mentioned you track these by checking blood sugar, but again when these “finger pricks,” are needed it’s often at the most inopportune moments.

Also correcting high and low blood sugars often result in a “superball” or “pendulum” effect. If your blood sugar is 220, and you correct with a bit too much insulin you risk plummeting to levels too low. Then eating food bounces it back up. Once your blood sugar is “bouncing” it’s often difficult to stabilize it back to a normal range and stop the pendulum effect.

But the constant glucose monitor provides a constant update of what your blood sugar is, and WHERE it’s going. The knowledge of the TREND allows you to take action BEFORE your blood sugars reach high or low levels.

The constant glucose sensor/transmitter attaches to your body and looks like a small seashell. It transmits a signal to your insulin pump every five minutes relaying your blood sugar and rate of change. This rate of change, or “trend” is very beneficial. For example if your blood sugar is 150 and climbing you can correct with a small dose via your insulin pump, rather than a large and potential overcorrection. You are in a sense operating an “external artificial pancreas.” This isn’t automatic though. It still requires you to be aware, alert, and make decisions regarding your food and activity hour by hour. However the resource of this small device as a guide and tool is a significant change in the life of a type 1 diabetic.

Contrary to some beliefs this system doesn’t eliminate blood sugar checks. Since the little “seashell” glucose sensor draws from your interstitial fluid just below your skin while a finger prick checks actual blood (which is more accurate,) you still need to compare and calibrate at least twice daily.

In some ways this system is far more discreet than the routines of my previous 12 years. I’ve never felt embarrassed about giving myself a quick shot. But if I’m on a plane, in a movie, at a concert, in a meeting, or similar environment it’s often inconvenient to squeeze out a drop of blood onto my machine. Now I simply look at my small pager size device for information.

But in some ways it’s NOT so discreet. Although only a small device clipped inside your pocket, you do have a tiny tube connected to a your “infusion” site, which you change every few days. As cool as this gear is, you are constantly tethered to it, and even though the pump and tube can disconnect for showering, swimming, hot tubbing, high action volleyball games, and sex – you still have your small “infusion site” patch on you. Should you find yourself at a nude beach or similar situation where you don’t care to explain a cyborg-like port on your upper buttocks, thigh or abdomen, you can easily remove the infusion patch and transmitter. But the costs of these proprietary pieces means most folks leave them attached for as long as possible. After I adjusted to the fact that this little guy is going to be at my side for a long, long time I realized that everyone, (including me,) has cell phones, iPods, and other miscellaneous toys that already reside on their being all day long. Another gadget in today’s world really isn’t that odd. The only difference between carrying this and another gadget is the small tube.

After reading this a non-diabetic is probably thinking “Holy crap I’m glad I don’t have to deal with such a nightmare.” And I’d probably think the same. But to me this is absolutely the coolest piece of gadgetry I’ve ever owned. I admire the development and technology in the medical field, and I feel very fortunate that I have the resources to obtain this.

The answer to the most FAQ’d? No, it’s not painful. The required two cannulas that sit inside of you are made of extremely tiny flexible plastic. Inserting them is no different than a shot, and once they’re under your skin you don’t even feel them. Good times.

Since my blog is more than sufficiently fragmented between travel, food, Denver, and random musings I probably won’t post further on life with diabetes – but if my regular readers are interested I would be happy to post a follow up.

If you’re curious for more I recommend visiting the blog Sixuntilme.com, written by the very attractive Kerri. Kerri’s excellent writing details life with diabetes, and she also contributes to the online site dlife.com (You guessed it – diabetes life.) Kerri’s blogroll lists a host of other bloggers devoted to the highs and lows of living with diabetes. And I’ll bet now you can guess why that last sentence was a pun.

childrenwithdiabetes.com is an excellent resource for parents, with information on insulin pumps and constant glucose meters. From a design and style standpoint Amy Tenderich of diabetesmine.com suggests we recruit Steve Job’s help in developing the next generation of insulin pumps.

And if you want an example of totally playing up your diabetes for attention watch Brett Michaels “Rock of Love” on VH1.

James Van Dellen Denver

One concern I have is RETURNING from overseas to the U.S.   If these are delivered via text message can I still access it from a location where I don’t have service?   But overall this is great.  Everyone from age 8 to 80 has cell phones, especially when traveling.   This would create fewer lines like these, and less steps in the departure process.

More at USA Today.  Yahoo Tech has more on the pros and cons.

Imagine this: instead of taking a paper ticket to the airport or stopping at an automated kiosk, you’d just skip the lines and head right to security, cell phone in hand.   Blogger Chris Null has already written about Air Canada’s test program that lets passengers use a cell phone as their board pass, and now USA Today reports that a similar pilot program kicked off yesterday in Houston.  For the three-month test, passengers flying out of Bush Intercontinental Airport on Continental (the airline that’s participating in the program) will receive a bar code on their phones before their flights; once they get to the airport, fliers simply display the bar code to TSA officials and gate attendants, who swipe the code using a hand-held scanner and send them on their way.

Of course, the pilot program still has some hurdles to clear. For now, the system only works for individual passengers; Continental is working on a fix so a family can travel under one bar code. It also sounds like you’ll need a smartphone such as a BlackBerry, a Treo, or an iPhone to receive the bar code (although more and more standard phones are capable of receiving e-mail messages). Oh, and what happens if your phone goes dead? No problem—just go back to the kiosks or head to the counter.