A great (and cheap) way to organize your gadget cables (USB, power, etc.): binder clips

Are you tired of picking up your gadget charging cable off the ground? Do you need a quick and effective solution? Try large binder clips.

If you're like me, then you may have several different gadgets on your desk. Some are plugged in, others are not. Some may have a docking station or cradle. Others rely on loose USB or charging cables. Don't you hate it when the cable falls to the floor?

In this photo, you'll see that I've taken very large binder clips and I've attached them to the edge of a cabinet that is roughly 1" thick. Then, I've taken each USB cable or charging cable and I've simply passed them through the handle on each binder clip.

The cables stay off the ground. I can easily put the cables on the "hanger" after I'm done charging my device and I can add more clips if I get more cables. It's too bad that I can't apply for a patent for this little invention.

What other practical tips or tricks would you like to share?

The Archos 9 tablet PC review

I had the chance to play with an Archos 9 tablet PC at the airport. So, although I didn't spend hours with the device, I spent enough time to form a brief opinion. Here's my short review of this tablet:

The Archos 9 is thin and sleek (0.67 inches thick!). Compared to my current Samsung Q1 Ultra (which has a 7" screen), the Archos 9 (which has an 8.9" screen) has a nicer overall design. I'd gladly trade my Q1 Ultra for an Archos 9.

The device didn't get very warm in my hands and I was impressed by its performance running Windows 7. With a price tag of $549.99, it competes with the upcoming Apple iPad but the difference is that the Archos 9 is a full tablet PC running Windows 7. It also has a webcam so that you can run applications like Skype. Plus, it features a built-in kickstand so that you can tilt the device at various angles. The Archos 9 has a removable battery and a battery life of approximately 5 hours.

The Archos 9 has a passive touch screen (resistive touch) instead of a capacitive multi-touch screen, so keep this in mind when you think about making a purchase. I have to think that future models will come with a capacitive touch screen. If you're an early adapter of technology and gadgets, then I think you'll really like the Archos 9. I'd probably get one, except that I already have too many gadgets right now. 

Merry Christmas! (enjoy those gadgets!)

To those who know the "reason for the season," Merry Christmas! Perhaps you received some gadgets as Christmas gifts today. Enjoy them, but don't forget that Christmas really isn't really about the gifts under the tree. Today, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ who entered the world many years ago.

Excited about CES?

Someday, I hope to attend CES (Consumer Electronics Show). I know several people who attend every year and I'm so envious. So many innovative computers and other mobile devices (such as MIDs, UMPCs, micro computers, etc.) get presented every year at CES. Now that I think about it, it's probably better that I'm not there. Otherwise, I'd be buying things left and right when they come out. I'm very much an early adopter, but recently I've tried to slow down so that I'm not spending so much money on technology that quickly becomes obsolete.

So what about you? Are you a gadget freak? Do you own multiple computers and handheld devices? Are you an early adopter? Do people ask you questions related to technology and computers?

Thanks for the mention Locum Leaders!

This blog (http://www.mobilehealthcomputing.com) is mentioned in a recent "Locum Link" on LocumLeaders.com titled, "Five Top Healthcare Tech and Gadget Blogs."

Thanks for the mention! To see the story, click here.

What's Your Favorite Gadget?

I love gadgets. I blame that on my MIT education. I just fell in love with technology at MIT. That's why I like to write about medicine and technology.

What's your favorite gadget? I'd have to say that my favorite is the Apple Newton Messagepad 2100. Why? Because it was so innovative for its time. It had a processor that was much faster than most processors found in laptop computers. Plus, the handwriting recognition was unbelievable! It used standard AA batteries, so I even traveled to China with my Newton because I knew that I wouldn't have any problems finding AA batteries.

So, what's your favorite gadget? I'm willing to bet that many young people would say the Apple iPhone. Some may even remember the days when Sony came out with the original "Walkman" (yes, I had one of those).

Health and Computers

If you have a medical condition, do you use a computer to help you manage your illness? My father had diabetes and he was always keeping a glucose log on his computer. He would actually print these out and show them to his primary care physician and his endocrinologist.

Mobile computing technology has made it so easy now to synchronize data and carry it around. A colleague of mine has diabetes and wears an insulin pump. She also has a glucose monitor that synchronizes all her sugar values with her ultra-mobile PC (yes, she's a gadget lover like me). When she needs to see her glucose trends, she can easily pull up reports on her tiny mobile computer. No need for paper.