Stay Connected with Colleagues and Friends with iPhone, G1 or Palm Pre

The whole world is waiting. Apple consumers are waiting for what is to come. Every year, Apple's Steve Jobs showcased the company's new products. What will happen this time? Jobs still has to get back to the podium. He has been out for medical leave. No matter what, hardcore Apple consumers are waiting for the next great product.

In the meantime, Palm seemed to have found a way to come closer to consumers with the release of Palm Pre. What is great about this new smartphone?





AppIphone3Gandmore: Palm Pre, Apple iPhone and G1

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What will make you want to buy an Apple iPhone vs. a Palm Pre or G1? Is it the wireless company that sells them or the phone itself or the service. In a lot of ways, the package had to do a lot with my decision. Over the weekend, that is what I had to decide. It was time for me to go from a low end phone which I carried for a few years and upgrade to a smartphone. I had to decide between the iPhone which I could buy online or at an AT&T retail store, the new Palm Pre which is injecting new blood into the Palm brand, and the Google phone, G1 which has made its spectacular entrance a few months ago.

For me, it was a matter of convenience. I wanted to go with something that has been around for a while. Besides, many of my colleagues have the phone. Yes, I was torn between the good package offered by Sprint which carries the new Palm Pre. I knew all three phones would be good for multimedia and multitasking. Among them, there were some similarities and differences.

Let's talk about Palm Pre. It is a great, elegant multitouch smartphone. It seems that Palm Pre is going to be the star of this Summer season. Already, there are a lot of buzz in the blogosphere and among techies about the new phone. It is the blockbuster square off between iphone and palm pre. In many ways, Palm Pre has come to mean a lot to a dying company. Palm relied heavily on this phone being accepted by the public.

To many industry insiders, the Pre is like the iPhone remix. It is a great phone that many customers are going to select. I saw a great demonstration at the local Sprint store this past weekend. People are wowed by it.

What are its main features, specs?

the Pre has the ordinary checklist: Wi-Fi, GPS, 3G (high speed Internet), Bluetooth (including wireless audio), very good camera with flash, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, tilt sensor, standard headphone jack, 3.1-inch touchscreen etc. Many other companies have been trying to copy the iphone, but they have always failed in putting everthing together and making it all work. In the case of the Pre, Palm has done a good job.

Hardware: Coming in a black plastic, flattened capsule, coated with a glossy, scratch-resistant finish, the Pre is an elegant phone. When it is turned off, the screen disappears. It is smaller than the iPhone, about a half-inch shorter and quarter-inch thicker. It is very easy to carry.

Price: The Pre costs $200 after rebate, with a two-year contract. It is much less than the standard iphone with more than 8Gigs. Sprint wants to get the customers. With a $70-a-month plan (450 talk-time minutes) that includes unlimited Internet and text messages, the Pre comes on top. The AT&T plan includes no text messages at all.

What does it look like typing? Unlike the iPhone, the Pre has a real keyboard. the screeen slides up, revelaing four rows of Thumbelina-size keys.

Camera: The Pre has an LED Flash for its 3MP camera, something both the iPhone and G1 lack. Flash cellphone photos are ugly, but for a lot of people, they're good enough.

Browser: All three use a browser based on WebKit, which has become the standard for the mobile web.

Phone: Just pop open the keyboard and stard dialing to make a call on the Pre. You can set up speed-dial keys.

Battery: While the iPhone does not allow you to remove the batteries, the Pre allows you to do so. Battery life the hiccup with the Pre. Depending on how often you use it, the battery will be dead in no time.

Music: Which other gadget can beat the iPod which the iPhone is? The Pre does a good job of coming close. When you connect it to your Mac or PC, the Pre appears in Apple's iTunes software. You can sync your music, photo and video collections.

App store: The iPhone surpasess the Pre which is building its inventory too.

No matter what, the Pre is a great effort in the right direction for Palm. It is quite an achievement.

Valley Fever Continues to Claim Victims in California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and Elsewhere

"From 2000 to 2006, the number of California cases rose from 816, or 2.4 cases per 100,000 people, to 2,981, or 8 per 100,000, according to a study by the California Department of Public Health in today's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a publication of the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most illnesses occurred in the San Joaquin Valley, especially Kern County, which averaged 150 cases per 100,000 people. African Americans and Filipinos were most likely to develop rare but serious complications."

Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. Besides the San Joaquin Valley, they can be found in parts of Arizona, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, west Texas, Mexico and Central and South America.

Read about more severe cases of Valley Fever in the Central VAlley:

http://www.bakersfield.com/hourly_news/story/500771.html

Finding Doctors Who Know About Valley Fever or Cocci Treatment

How to Find a Doctor Who Knows about Valley Fever or Cocci Treatment:

Coping with Valley Fever Deep Bone, Muscles, Neck, and Joint Pain:
Updated List of California's Valley Fever Specialists

If you live in the Central Valley of California or anywhere else and you happen to catch Valley Fever disease or Coccidioidomycosis, then you need to consult your primary care physician, insurance and start throwing the names of these infectious disease specialists around. Once the night sweats become unbearable and the deep bone pain brings tears to your eyes, you will need to think about this list. Once your energy is sapped and you become so weak and tired that all you think about is to take a nap, think about the Valley Fever risks that exist in many parts of California and Arizona. Start retracing your journey. It is now time to think about how close you have been to the dirt, ground etc.

Depending on your case, the symptoms of Valley Fever can vary, but you will be acquainted with what appears to be generalized pain all over your body. For me, it was the constant headache, occasional dry cough, joint pain and a deep-bone abscess which eventually required surgery. Some people may have lesions and scars in any areas of their body. Shoulder, back and arm pain is very common. Even though you may not feel like eating, please make sure you eat lots of spinach, green stuff, drink milk. This is the best time to watch your diet.

Some of the medications that may be prescribed to you are Flucanozole, Diflucan, and Amphotericin B otherwise known as "Shake and Bake."


Here is a list of Valley Fever specialists who can help diagnose and treat your case. Two of them helped me tremendously. They are on top of my personal list. Dr. Boro who often consulted with Dr. Libke brought me back from the grips of death and jaws of hell. As many of you know by now, it was not always easy to come up with the diagnosis. Many other diseases had to be ruled out. Well, here is my short list of resources for the Central Valley. (I hope to add more names as they become available. You can send me the names of Valley Fever specialists who have treated you too).

ValleyFeverPublisher presents

1. Dr. Herbert Boro at Kaiser Permanente in Fresno, CA (He saved me.)

2. Dr. Libke on MD to MD referral, Fresno, CA (He contributed to my treatment)

3. Dr. Daniel Boken in Visalia, CA

4. Dr. ED Nichols (323--8477), Bakersfield, CA

5. Dr. Reddy, Infectious Disease Specialist, Fresno, CA

6. Dr. Pyreddy, Pulmonoligist in Fresno

What Can you Do About Valley Fever? Its Symptoms and Treatment

The drier and windier conditions that exist in California, usually after long periods of drought and wild fires, the likelier one is to catch or inhale the spores of the fungus that cause Valley Fever or Coccidioidomycocis. I can easily remember those hot and windy August months in 1990 when I arrived in Coalinga, CA. The city of Coalinga was not developed as it is right now. The dirt from the recently plowed surrounding fields got into my eyes and anywhere in the city. West Hills College campus was not spared. I was not ready to miss a class because of a wind storm. I rode my bike to class at all times. Besides the various trips to the Coalinga hills where oil is being extracted by animal and bee-like devices, I had various opportunities to be exposed to the fungus. Being an immigrant to the San Joaquin Valley, I did not know the impact of the dry and windy weather would have on me. Nobody prepared me for what would come next. Nobody warned me and my fellow islanders about the likelihood of catching the disease

Most Central Valley hospital staff know that they will see an increase in cocci cases whenever there are arid months followed by drought. From St Agnes Hospital, Community Hospital, to Kaiser Permanente, infection control coordinators, nurses and physicians see thousands of cases of people who came in contact with the disease. According to the California Department of Public Health, between 50,000 and 100,00 people develop symptoms of Valley Fever each year in the United States. California has about 35,000 + of these cases. The disease is more common than you think. Yet most Americans and specially Arizonans and Californians have no idea about its impact. It is a costly disease to treat. You still have to spend a lot of money without a steady income. Pray that you have a good insurance if you get sick! Money and health insurance will increase your survivability.

What can we do about the fungus?

The cocci live in the soil and produce spores. Dry top soil gets loosened up. And the wind just picks it up. Besides the wind, we have construction activity, agricultural work and other natural disasters such as earthquakes, wild fires that tend to disturb the soil. You may have noticed that various builders get water trucks to spray water and clean construction sites to keep the dirt from escaping. Once the spores become airborne, people breathe them in. They tend to locate in the most lungs which are an ideal growth spot. Keep in mind they can grow anywhere else in your body. Once you are diagnosed with Valley Fever, make sure you find a good infectious disease doctor who can manage your treatment. While you may feel lousy most of the times, do not hesitate to participate in activities such as reading, play, arts, writing and even dance. Walk, sharpen your mind and eat healthy meals! Consult with your physician regarding the exercise. Above all, take it easy!

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What are the symptoms of this disease (Valley Fever)?

Some of you may have a natural immunity to the disease. And those of you who do not have it will catch it. Why? All of us have to breathe to live. The disease shows up as a mild, flu-like illness, with high fever, cough, headache, rash, and muscle aches within three weeks after exposure. Can you imagine abou Now, understand that your body will put up a huge fight to keep you healthy. If you are lucky, your body will be successful in fighting it off. The unlucky ones will develop a chronic lung infection. The disease may disseminate and cause a wide-spread infection. During my treatment for Valley Fever, I saw other patients with major skin lesions, meningitis, bone and joint infection. The lesions can occur anywhere in the body, from head to toe. What kills patients are the cases of disseminated valley fever. The complications can be lethal. Valley Fever survivors know a few things about what it takes to beat this disease. This is why I wrote this article to help those who are going through their treatment right now.

California Cocci Secrets Revealed

.....(Read the beginning of this story at http://myvalleyfeverstory.blogspot.com)


.....I would get when playing soccer with the guys. I came back down and helped my host family clean up the backyard. Little did I know that being in good physical shape would eventually help me fight the fungus!

Now it is safe to say that many cases of Valley Fever do not require the heavy-duty treatment I went through. You may not go through "shake and bake," for example. If you are one of those at risk of developing severe disease, your doctor may prescribe flucanozole which is for acute, uncomplicated coccidioidomycosis. The center for disease control and prevention recommend that patients who develop pneumonia in both lungs and other systemic disease should receive antifungal therapy. And it is not unusual to spend months or even years on antifungal therapy before you can truly resume your work and other activities. Well, I was one of these patients with comorbidities who required more than a year of treatment and numerous visits to my doctor's office. Valley Fever treatment requires and takes time, patience and money, all at the same time. It is not a game. It is life or death for most of us and specially those with no previous immunity against the cocci.

How do we cohabit with Valley Fever? Is there a Vaccine against the disease?

Folks, the California secret is finally revealed! Valley Fever is not going to go away. And there is no vaccine that can prevent it. All you can do is stay away from dust and dry soil. Drought is not good for anybody here in the Central Valley. Farmers need water for our large variety of crops. More cases of the disease surface after a drought and earthquakes. Keep your windows closed and make sure to water before tilling or planting. Wear a mask when venturing out on windy days in the Valley.

ValleyFeverPublisher: A Valley Fever Survivor Wants to Thank Treating Doctor, Classmates, and Caregivers

If you expect to beat Valley Fever, if you expect to survive this disease, you will need all the help you can get. Some of the most important people in your life will be your doctor, immediate family members, friends and caregivers. Your nurse will be a key person. Believe me, each one of them will turn out to be your cheerleader when your dark days arrive. On many occasions, you will feel so lousy that you will not want to do anything or even get out of bed. Your energy will be sapped away. As you are losing energy, you will need to replace it with good nutrition.

Talking about the caregivers, doctors and family members, you will soon realize they are your first line of defense. You will not be able to do without them. Depending on whether your valley fever case was disseminated, you will have lots of appointments with your doctor. You will see him or her so much that you will get tired of them. But, try to never miss your appointments.

Thanks to my then-program coordinator, Suzanne, I never missed a doctor's appointment. She was and continues to be my main advocate. Since I had bone-deep surgery to remove an abscess, I had to have a nurse in the first few months of treatment. Once she was gone, I depended on my caregiver, my host mothers.

Thanks to Suzanne and Mrs. McKinney for helping save my life! Valley Fever is not a game. It is real. Thanks to my doctor. Above all, thanks to God! Two years before I landed in Coalinga, CA, a Japanese student caught Valley Fever and died of its complications. Islanders, Asians such as Philipino, Japanese, Pacific islanders and those with weak immune system can easily catch the disease.

Thanks to all my friends who sent notes, prayers and cards to the hospital! Thanks to St Agnes nurses too!

Exercise and Proper Nutrition are Good Tools to Fight Valley Fever

My advice to anybody who is hit with valley fever is to try to continue to exercise. You may not feel like doing much, but even walking around the block will help. You do not want to lose all your muscle mass. If you have a treadmill, get on it. The worst thing is that you get tired easily and may not want to do any exercise. You will sweat at the drop of a hat. Fatigue is one of the enemies.

Also important is proper nutrition. With high fever, you may lose appetite and refuse to eat. That is a big mistake you can avoid. Even if you do not have the taste of the food, eat something anyway. You do not want to starve to death. Your body will be going through so much trauma that you will need to compensate. Have somebody feed you. Spinach is good for you. Eggs, Fish and anything that has good proteins will help. Do not forget your fruits serving. Take this advice from somebody who had been fighting Valley Fever for close to 7 years.

In the next few postings, I will write about the importance of good caregiving. Caregivers play an essential role in your recovery. If they do not give up on you, you will have a good chance of beating the disease. They will cheer you up and keep you informed on what was going on in your life. Whatever you do, try to stay in touch with family members and loved ones.

Get more advice on how to beat Valley Fever by buying one of my books at:

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