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Friday, September 27, 2002
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What does Apple hope to achieve?.
Apple's 'Logic' Snubs PC Users. Logic, the popular music sequencing program, will no longer be supported on PC platforms by Apple, which bought the company a few months ago. It's another move by the company to get people to switch, analysts say. By Noah Shachtman. [Wired News]
By stopping the support, and refusing to ship any new versions of the PC version of this audio/MIDI product (which represents 35% of their installed base) does Apple hope to 'force' those customers onto the Mac? The article talks about 'cementing their hold' on the high-end graphics and music market.
So here I am - some small studio owner - and clearly I have the option of buying a Mac - like could you imagine this studio owner NOT knowing about a Mac?
So now Apple discontinues my favorite MIDI software on the PC. Am I going to switch to the Mac - throw out all my PC equipment and buy Macs? Does Apple think this would in any way create a new customer or a happy customer? Or that by discontinuing this product's Mac version - this would in some way - what? Force the world to buy Macs - or make EVERYONE realize that Apple was THE company for creative people?
This would (and it did for me - back in '97) force me to NEVER buy a Mac again - ever.
I remember sitting at one of those 'developer' meetings, where Apple announced they had identified music and creativity as the target market for their machines. Now this doesn't sound so amazing - except that it was 1995. By then they had shot off both feet and barely had one arm remaining. I guess they really though t their customers were enerprise accountants before that.
I mean to say that - in 1995 - we're goinjg to focus on creativity (music and graphics) is like "what the hell were you doing before.) So they bought Macromedia's video product - created two versions out of it - and refused to ship it for the PC. Great.
Now they can proudly point to their 2.6% market share and say: "at least we still have all those creative types LOCKED up." This - to me - kind of goes against the grain of what being a creative type - is all about. Why would I support or use a machine that used terror tactics and strong armed manipulation - to hold onto my customers. Sort of seems like 'anti-creative' to me.
But what's worse - the Borg (I mean Microsoft) or some bully in the studio? Gee maybe Linux is the future? [Marc's Voice]
Comment: Bullseye, Marc. Same reason why Apple annoys me so, because I really thought that Mac could have been an outstanding platform. But their approach has been to stay proprietary. What they recently did to shut down the company that made external DVD drives work with the iMac showed me, once again, Apple can't be trusted not to crush developers than Microsoft. Thus, I'll take the Microsoft broad base of apps and peripherals with those trade-offs today, and watch the developments in the Linux world carefully.
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1:28:01 PM 
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A kindergarten pupil told his teacher he'd found a cat. She asked
him if it was dead or alive. "Dead." She was informed.
"How do you know?" she asked her pupil.
"Because I pissed in its ear and it didn't move,"answered the child
innocently.
"You did WHAT?!?" the teacher exclaimed in surprise.
"You know," explained the boy, "I leaned over and went 'Pssst!'
and it didn't move."
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12:50:15 PM
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The reuse of some object-oriented code has caused tactical
headaches for Australia's armed forces. As virtual reality
simulators assume larger roles in helicopter combat training,
programmers have gone to great lengths to increase the
realism of their scenarios, including detailed landscapes and,
in the case of the Northern Territory's Operation Phoenix,
herds of kangaroos (since disturbed animals might well give
away a helicopter's position).
The head of the Defense Science & Technology Organization's
Land Operations/Simulation division reportedly instructed
developers to model the local marsupials' movements and
reactions to helicopters.
Being efficient programmers, they just re-appropriated some
code originally used to model infantry detachment reactions
under the same stimuli, changed the mapped icon from a
soldier to a kangaroo, and increased the figures' speed of
movement.
Eager to demonstrate their flying skills for some visiting
American pilots, the hotshot Aussies "buzzed" the virtual
kangaroos in low flight during a simulation. The kangaroos
scattered, as predicted, and the visiting Americans nodded
appreciatively... then did a double-take as the kangaroos
reappeared from behind a hill and launched a barrage of
Stinger missiles at the hapless helicopter. (Apparently the
programmers had forgotten to remove that part of the
infantry coding.)
The lesson? Objects are defined with certain attributes,
and any new object defined in terms of an old one inherits
all the attributes. The embarrassed programmers had learned
to be careful when reusing object-oriented code, and the
Yanks left with a newfound respect for Australian wildlife.
Simulator supervisors report that pilots from that point
onward have strictly avoided kangaroos, just as they were
meant to.
>From June 15, 1999 Defense Science and Technology Organization
Lecture Series, Melbourne, Australia, and staff reports
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12:47:20 PM
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N-Acetylcysteine Helpful for Eye Disorder
By Alan R. Gaby, MD
Healthnotes Newswire (September 26, 2002)—Oral supplementation with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may be beneficial for individuals with chronic posterior blepharitis, a common inflammatory condition of the inner eyelid, according to a recent report in Cornea (2002;21:164–8). In this study, 40 individuals with chronic posterior blepharitis were randomly assigned to receive standard therapy, either alone (control group) or in combination with NAC (100 mg three times per day for eight weeks). Standard therapy consisted of topical steroids and antibiotics, warm compresses to the eyelids twice a day, and the use of artificial tears.
Compared with the control group, the group receiving NAC had a statistically significant improvement on tests that assess the structure and integrity of the tear film. Although the results were considered preliminary, these findings suggest that NAC could provide relief for individuals with this persistent and difficult-to-treat condition.
Chronic posterior blepharitis results from an abnormality of the meibomian glands of the inner eyelid that play a role in the manufacturing of tears. In some cases, it is caused by a skin disorder (either rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis). Symptoms may include burning in the eye, excessive tearing or dryness, itching, or redness of the eye. Although proper hygiene and appropriate medical treatment can help control the condition, it rarely goes away completely and often becomes progressively worse.
Scientists have theorized that the abnormality of the tear film that occurs in people with blepharitis may be a result of oxidation damage of certain key molecules produced by the meibomian glands. These molecules (phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin) contribute to the structural integrity of the oily layer of tear film. If there is a deficiency of these molecules because of excessive oxidation, the tear film may become defective, resulting in increased evaporation of tears and dryness and irritation of the eyes.
NAC is a component of glutathione, a potent antioxidant, and supplementation with NAC has been shown to increase glutathione levels in various tissues of the body. It is possible that NAC protects the tear film by increasing glutathione levels in the eye, thereby preventing the oxidation of phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin.
The amount of NAC used in the new study (300 mg per day) is half the amount used in the treatment of chronic bronchitis. Although 600 mg per day has caused intestinal symptoms, headaches, dizziness, or other side effects in as many as 20% of the participants in some studies, the smaller amount used in the new study was generally well tolerated. Additional research is needed to determine whether NAC will have a positive impact on the long-term outcome of this chronic, recurring eye disorder.
Alan R. Gaby, MD, an expert in nutritional therapies, testified to the White House Commission on CAM upon request in December 2001. Dr. Gaby served as a member of the Ad-Hoc Advisory Panel of the National Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine. He is the author of Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis (Prima, 1994), and co-author of The Natural Pharmacy, 2nd Edition (Healthnotes, Prima, 1999), the A–Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions (Healthnotes, Prima, 1999), Clinical Essentials Volume 1 and 2 (Healthnotes, 2000), and The Patient’s Book of Natural Healing (Prima, 1999). A former professor at Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences, in Kenmore, WA, where he served as the Endowed Professor of Nutrition, Dr. Gaby is the Chief Medical Editor for Healthnotes, Inc.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Healthnotes® content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Healthnotes, Inc. Healthnotes Newswire is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. Healthnotes, Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Healthnotes and the Healthnotes logo are registered trademarks of Healthnotes, Inc.
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12:24:06 PM
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By Darin Ingels, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (September 26, 2002)—Women who breast-feed their children are less likely to develop breast cancer later in life, according to a new study in Lancet (2002;360:187–95). The risk of developing breast cancer decreases progressively the longer a woman breast-feeds her child. While other studies show that breast cancer risk drops with the birth of each child, this is the first study to demonstrate that breast-feeding also has a cancer-protective effect.
According to the National Cancer Institute, the incidence of breast cancer has been on the rise for the past two decades. More than 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, and almost 40,000 of these women will die from the disease. Women at risk for breast cancer include those who started their periods before age 12, who began menopause after age 55, who have never given birth to a child, who were over age 30 when they gave birth for the first time, who used postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy for more than five years, or who have a mother or sister who have had breast cancer. The risk of developing breast cancer also increases with age. More than 77% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are age 50 or older at the time of their diagnosis. Although rare, men can also develop breast cancer, accounting for less than 1% of all cases in the United States.
In this new study, data from 47 studies done in 30 countries were examined to determine whether breast-feeding protected against breast cancer. Information on history and patterns of breast-feeding, aspects of childbearing and menopausal status were analyzed for almost 150,000 women of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
The risk of developing breast cancer decreased by just over 4% for every 12 months that a woman breastfed during her life. This was in addition to the 7% reduction in breast cancer observed with the birth of each child. The cancer-protective benefit of breast-feeding was observed, regardless of when a woman gave birth to her first child. Women with breast cancer had fewer births and breastfed less than did women without breast cancer. It is interesting to note that the proportion of women who had ever breast fed was the lowest in the United States (50%), where the incidence of breast cancer is relatively high, and highest in Japan and Scandinavia (more than 90%), where the incidence of the disease is lower. The average cumulative duration of breast-feeding in women with breast cancer and those without was 10 months and 16 months, respectively.
Breast-feeding may have other benefits, aside from protecting against breast cancer. Some studies suggest that infants who are breast-fed have stronger immune systems and develop fewer infections than formula-fed infants. Other studies show that breast-fed infants are less likely to develop asthma, eczema, and allergies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least 6 months of exclusive breast-feeding, although some research indicates that a longer duration of breast-feeding (such as 10 to 12 months) may further improve the health of the infant. The results of the new study suggest that mothers would also benefit from breast-feeding for a longer period of time. For more specific information with regard to evaluating breast cancer risk, consult a physician.
Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. Dr. Ingels is the author of The Natural Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) and Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currently is in private practice at New England Family Health Associates located in Southport, CT, where he specializes in environmental medicine and allergies. Dr. Ingels is a regular contributor to Healthnotes and Healthnotes Newswire.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Healthnotes® content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Healthnotes, Inc. Healthnotes Newswire is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. Healthnotes, Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Healthnotes and the Healthnotes logo are registered trademarks of Healthnotes, Inc.
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12:23:45 PM
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By Alan R. Gaby, MD
Healthnotes Newswire (September 26, 2002)—Contrary to a report published earlier this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association, supplementation with moderate amounts of vitamin A does not cause bone loss, according to a study in the Journal of Nutrition (2002;132:1169–72). In the new study, 80 healthy men between the ages of 18 and 58 years were given a vitamin A supplement (25,000 IU per day) or placebo for six weeks. Blood tests taken at the beginning and end of the study revealed that vitamin A supplementation had no effect on various measures of bone breakdown and bone formation. Thus, at least in the short term, taking a moderate amount of vitamin A is unlikely to promote bone loss.
Previous studies showed that increasing vitamin A intake is associated with an increased risk of hip fracture; however, the relevance of those studies is questionable. As pointed out in Healthnotes Newswire (January 31, 2002), the main sources of vitamin A in the diet are vitamin A-fortified foods such as margarine, sugary breakfast cereals, and milk and circumstantial evidence suggests that some or all of these foods can promote the development of osteoporosis for reasons unrelated to their vitamin A content. If that is the case, then vitamin A was a victim of “guilt by association.”
Although taking too much vitamin A can cause a wide range of adverse effects (including neurological disease, liver damage, and even death), bone loss has not been mentioned as a consequence of chronic vitamin A poisoning.
Studies suggest that a safe level of intake of vitamin A is 25,000 IU per day for most healthy adults and 15,000 IU per day for individuals over the age of 65. Larger amounts, which are used by some doctors to treat acne, some cancers, menstrual irregularities, or other problems, should be taken only with medical supervision. Early warning signs of vitamin A excess include headaches, joint pain, muscle aches, bone pain, dry skin, and hair loss. These signs disappear if the vitamin is discontinued.
Preliminary research suggests that pregnant women should not take more than 10,000 IU per day, though not all studies agree on this point. Although the body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, taking large amounts of beta-carotene does not lead to vitamin A toxicity. That is because there is a limit to the amount of beta-carotene that can be converted to vitamin A.
Alan R. Gaby, MD, an expert in nutritional therapies, testified to the White House Commission on CAM upon request in December 2001. Dr. Gaby served as a member of the Ad-Hoc Advisory Panel of the National Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine. He is the author of Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis (Prima, 1994), and co-author of The Natural Pharmacy, 2nd Edition (Healthnotes, Prima, 1999), the A–Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions (Healthnotes, Prima, 1999), Clinical Essentials Volume 1 and 2 (Healthnotes, 2000), and The Patient’s Book of Natural Healing (Prima, 1999). A former professor at Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences, in Kenmore, WA, where he served as the Endowed Professor of Nutrition, Dr. Gaby is the Chief Medical Editor for Healthnotes, Inc.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Healthnotes® content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Healthnotes, Inc. Healthnotes Newswire is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. Healthnotes, Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Healthnotes and the Healthnotes logo are registered trademarks of Healthnotes, Inc.
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12:23:12 PM
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Women with endometriosis, a painful and chronic condition, are much more likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and allergies, a study finds. [MSNBC]
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12:11:09 PM
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© Copyright
2002
Rick@Leaders.net.
Last update:
10/29/2002; 6:40:31 PM.
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