The Digital Dentist

Twist and Shout

2009-11-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

Like many people, I have an iPod device (or two or three!) that I use all the time. However, I've never been a fan of iTunes:I find it clunky and slow and hate how Quicktime tries to take over my files. One of the best alternatives I've found is DoubleTwist...it's fast, works with iPod and other devices, and is easy to use.

Ancient History

2009-11-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

One of the more challenging parts of going paperless is what to do with patient intake forms. Many practice management programs don't have an easy way to allow patients to enter their information online before their first visit. While I've been a huge fan of Dentforms for years, there are new companies coming to the party. One that I saw recently that looks good is ePatientHistory.com. It allows you to customize the forms and is priced at around $700 for start-up and $40/month. Pretty cool technology.

Predicting the Future

2009-11-08T21:45:00.000-08:00

There are many technologies that we use every day that seem like they've been around forever. However, with the rapid advances in technology, many will probably be replaced, some in less than 10 years. Here are 8 Bits of Everyday Tech We Won't Use in a Year.

Forget Me Nots

2009-11-07T22:25:00.000-08:00

If you're like me, you're trying to juggle scores of tasks on a daily basis and frankly, some slip through the cracks. As I've come to find out, though, there are tons of web applications to make sure this never happens again. Here are Six Excellent Web Apps to Help You Create Automatic Reminders.

Looking Ahead

2009-11-06T21:52:00.000-08:00

Maximum PC has published their annual article on what's coming next year. Some of this is pretty technical stuff, but check out their 2010 Technology Preview.

AVG

2009-11-05T21:46:00.000-08:00

I've always been a fan of AVG antivirus and they have just announced their latest version, AVG Free-Edition 9.0. As with most free antivirus, you're only supposed to use this at home, not in an office environment.

Talkin' 'bout my Reputation

2009-11-04T21:42:00.000-08:00

I'm a huge fan of services like DemandForce that help you develop reputational marketing. There are many things you can also do to help control your online reputation, as Google tells you about in their blog.

Ahead of the Curve

2009-11-03T21:34:00.000-08:00

Had a demo recently of a new web-based practice management software called Curve Dental. Had some nice features and is very promising. Stay tuned for a more in-depth review in the coming months.

Out on Patrol

2009-11-02T15:30:00.000-08:00

It's become a common practice to defend your PC with a handful of security apps rather than relying on a single program. One lesser-known app worth investigating is WinPatrol.

Just released, WinPatrol 2010 builds on the strengths of previous versions. It's now even lighter on memory use, weighing in at about 5Mb on my Windows 7 x64 system.

The new version's cookies tab now handles Firefox and Google Chrome in addition to Internet Explorer. Users of the WinPatrol Pro will also enjoy improved realtime scanning speed - 30% quicker than the free version.

Winpatrol also scores serious points for its Pro licensing plan. Not only do you pay once for the software and receive a lifetime of upgrades, but developer Bill Pytlovany believes that your license should follow you - not your computer. That means you're free to enjoy your paid WinPatrol on any and all PCs that you personally own and use. Nice!

Both the free and pro versions of WinPatrol 2010 are available for download now, as is WinPatrol To Go -- the portable version, which is also free.

Efficiency Rules

2009-11-01T15:25:00.000-08:00

WinExt is a free utility that adds a toolbar to the top or bottom of your Windows PC that provides quick access to a ton of features and programs.

For instance, it automatically grabs the bookmarks from your default web browser and adds them to the URLs menu allowing you to launch your web browser and open any of your bookmarks in just a few clicks.

There are also drop-down menus for files and shortcuts stored on your desktop, in your My Documents menu, and your My Computer area. Programs are grabbed from the Windows Start Menu, and any items that appear in your Windows Quick Start Menu will be added as icons to a quick launch area of WinExt. In other words, WinExt does everything the Windows Taskbar does, and then some, allowing you to hide the Windows Taskbar if you don't need it anymore.

You can also enable a CPU and RAM usage meter, a time and date area, a battery indicator, and an uptime meter. The size of the menu bar can be adjusted, you can customize the theme, and use WinExt to create and store notes. Very cool utility.

Free is Good

2009-10-31T20:41:00.000-07:00

Even though the pricing for Windows 7 is better than it was for Vista, there's always ways to get the software for less or even free. Here are 7 Great Ways to Get Windows 7 Cheap.

Light as a Feather

2009-10-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

The newest notebook from Sony, the Vaio X, is about the lightest laptop I've ever seen...a mere 1.6 lbs. More impressive is the battery life with the second battery...a whopping 14 hours! Pricing will be in the $1300+ range.

Android Review

2009-10-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

The first real challenger to the iPhone, the Droid, hit the streets today. Here's a review of what to expect...looks pretty good.

Smiling Faces

2009-10-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a new service I just heard about:

BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Dental offices now have a better
alternative for their in-office music. Custom Channels, a company that
creates custom on-line and on-premise radio stations for nationally known
brands, has unveiled Smile Radio -- a music service specifically designed for
dental practices.

Smile Radio includes multiple channels of professionally programmed,
continuously updated music handpicked to enhance the sound and atmosphere of
dental offices. Smile Radio channels are broadcast directly to dental
practices via the Internet and received on a specially designed streaming
receiver.

Custom Channels' co-president Dave Rahn said, "A number of my dentist friends
really had a hard time finding a good music solution for their dental office.
Many used FM or satellite radio, or their own iPods or CDs -- but found each
had serious drawbacks. We created Smile Radio to address their concerns about
lack of variety, tiring repetition, inappropriate songs, commercials and
interruptions."

Dr. Anil Idiculla of Park Meadows Orthodontics in Denver said, "The power of
music is highly underrated in today's offices. It affects your patients, your
team members, and more importantly, your daily productivity. With the
numerous choices of music options out there already, it can be very
overwhelming to decide what the best option is to achieve this goal. Smile
Radio is the total package... current music, extensive playlists, and
customization. It can take your office to the next level."

Founded by 30-year broadcast radio veterans Dave Rahn and John Bradley, Custom
Channels creates and manages custom music channels for local and national
brands including Floyd's 99 Barbershops, Whole Foods Market, Bonnaroo Music
Festival, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Cost Plus World Market, Clearwire, and
numerous broadcast radio stations. Smile Radio is the company's entree into
providing specialized music channels designed for the dental and medical
professions. In addition to the standard Smile Radio package, Custom Channels
can create branded, "private label" Smile Radio Channels for multi-location
and dental franchise or marketing groups.

Smile Radio costs $39.95 per month and includes all required ASCAP, BMI and
SESAC music performance licenses. Custom Channels is offering a 30-day risk
free trial to customers who sign up through their website at
http://www.smile-radio.com. Dentists can preview music on Smile Radio on the
website as well.

Virtual Reality

2009-10-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

With virtual computing now part of Windows 7 (it's called XP Mode and uses a software called Virtual Windows XP), you're going to be hearing more and more about virtual computers. One of my favorites is VMWare. The big knock against it in the past is that it couldn't create virtual machines, just booth ones created with other programs. That's no longer the case and you can now create virtual machines with this software. Check it out.

Crawling on Hands and Knees

2009-10-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

I constantly install programs and operating systems on multiple computers to test them out. As organized as I'd like to be, I'm not when it comes to serial numbers and access codes...who can keep track of all that? That's where LicenseCrawler can help. All that info is in the Windows Registry...and the software finds it for you.

Not Deat Yet

2009-10-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

Unless you live in a cave, you know that Windows 7 was released 3 days ago. However, don't expect to see Windows XP disappear any time soon. Here are 10 Reasons Why Windows XP Will Be Around Awhile.

Home on the Range

2009-10-24T19:39:00.000-07:00

More and more professionals are working from home, on the go, or in whatever location they choose. With internet applications rapidly developing, online storage mechanisms becoming dirt cheap and often free, and netbook computers becoming more and more common, a huge wave of ultra-portable office applications, extensions, and utilities are popping up.

At the heart of every designer or developer’s office is their browser. This guide is dedicated to making sure that your browser becomes the ultimate productivity suite, complete with word processing and office tools, calculation and finance tools, and a wide range of development and design extensions.

The Biggest Gets Bigger

2009-10-23T15:38:00.000-07:00

Danaher Corp. has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire PaloDEx Holding Oy (“PaloDEx”), a leading manufacturer of dental imaging products with revenues of more than $100M that goes to market under the Instrumentarium Dental and SOREDEX brands. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. Instrumentarium Dental and SOREDEX will join Gendex, DEXIS, ISI, KaVo and Pelton & Crane as part of Danaher’s group of dental equipment companies.

PaloDEx’s product range includes 3D CBCT, Panoramic x-ray (including the OP200), PSP (including the Optime IO PSP) and other intra-oral and extra-oral xray imaging systems.

“We believe this acquisition will be a game-changer for both of our companies and we are excited about the opportunity to acquire two of the leading imaging brands. Instrumentarium Dental and Soredex’s excellent digital imaging products and technology will be a great fit with our existing Gendex, DEXIS and i-CAT business. PaloDEx has a very experienced team and we look forward to working with Henrik Roos, President of PaloDEx, and his team as we continue to build the business,” said Henk van Duijnhoven, Group Executive of Danaher’s KaVo Group.

Henrik Roos will remain in his position and added: “I am thrilled to join Danaher’s dental business. The combined business will create a unique opportunity to provide new and innovative technologies in digital dentistry with focus on diagnostics and treatment planning for general practitioners and specialists.”

Today's the Day!

2009-10-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

Unless you've been living in Siberia or in a cave, then you know that today is the official release of Windows 7. For many people, there will be a few bumps in the road as you upgrade from Vista. Here's how to get your old system ready for a Windows 7 upgrade.

Tablet PC Redux

2009-10-21T21:54:00.000-07:00

I've been a fan of Tablet PCs since they came out almost 10 years ago. However, with new Tablets rumored to be coming from Apple and Microsoft in the next few months, they may actually start to take off. Here are 10 Reasons Why Tablets Will Succeed.

There's a Storm a Brewin'

2009-10-20T22:31:00.000-07:00

I'm a huge fan of Blackberry and have had one for years. I scoffed when the Storm was released as it had many shortcomings. However, with the new Storm 2 just released, I'm starting to droll over the new features and might be looking to change!

Waiting for Godot

2009-10-19T23:44:00.000-07:00

If you're like most people who have Vista machines, you'll probably do an in-place upgrade to Windows 7 when it comes out in 3 days. However, make sure you put aside some time to do this: tests show the process can take up to 21 hours...ouch! I did it recently on my home computer and it took about 2 hours...your mileage may vary.

Less is More

2009-10-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

Here's a great service that I started recommending to my friends and family: BillShrink. You put in info about things like credit cards, wireless phone service, gas, savings, etc. and it will find you the best plans, ways to save money, etc. Very slick and works exactly as advertised.

Keeping Up with the Joneses

2009-10-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

There's no reason to rely on individual applications to tell you when they need an update, when you've got a handy tool like TechTracker.

You'll need to create a free account or use Facebook connect to log in to CNet and download the TechTracker application. Once downloaded and installed finding the out of date applications on your system is as simple as running the application. TechTracker compares the software versions of your applications to the vast database of applications at Download.com and shows you a list of which applications need to be updated and a link to Download.com or the publisher's site where you can download the update.

You can also tell TechTracker to email you when a new version of an application you have comes out, so you'll get an email update before the next scan even takes place. TechTracker is freeware and works wherever Windows does.