Smarter plug design

I spend enough of my life in hospitals that I've seen all sorts of equipment. Syringes, gauges, pumps, whosits, whatsits, etc. There's also a slew of electronics.

For the electrical gear, I sometimes wonder about the safety. Specifically the safety of having electrical cords always being yanked out of walls and replugged in. I mean, plugs can get frayed at the end and a hospital isn't a place that is Sahara-desert dry.

Can you say SHOCKING?!

Well, take a look at what's been introduced - at least at Faulkner Hospital in Boston.

This plug has a handle around it so the stress of removal from the wall is put on the case and the handle, and not on the plug. No more worries about frayed cords. No more worries that lazy workers will ruin equipment. It's an awesome little design change, don't you think?

Just something I noticed today. If you've got a product or even an item review you want to share, send me an email with your idea. I'll probably just have you write it and post it here on the site.

Thanks for reading!

Magellan Tough Case - Review by Jeff Cutler

I'm a traveler. I like to take trips around my neighborhood, my city, my region, my country and even into and between other countries. And the device that's served me well most of the time has been a handheld GPS that I bought years ago online.

As coincidence would have it, that GPS is a Magellan Meridian and I've used it for everything from geocaching to plotting where my plane was going.

Now, Magellan has come out with a multi-use device that makes me think I might be done with the standalone GPS I'm so used to carrying with me. This device - and bear in mind that this is a first-look review...I've only had the gadget for a mere 24 hours - is fantastic at first blush. It's the Magellan ToughCase for iPhone and iPod Touch.

What makes it so fantastic? The case is fully sealed, totally protective, and it includes a GPS transceiver that boosts and assists GPS navigation so that you can use your iPhone for even more precise navigation than ever before.

Here are some photos provided by the company and then shots of my iPhone in my hand in the case. Notice the size and the thickness of the case. Not horribly huge, but still a bit of a surprise. The main thing you need to remember is that instead of carrying two devices - a GPS and a phone - you're carrying one.

Further, you are also carrying a charger. Yes, the ToughCase is a charger too. It keeps your iPhone or iPod Touch juiced up nicely.

What you can see right off the bat is that the case is a little bulky. But you need that. If you're going to trust your iPhone to a case, I'm of the opinion that the case you use better be bombproof. This one is. It's solid and waterproof.

Let me quickly list my thoughts on the Magellan ToughCase...

The charger is a great touch. I am always walking around with a cable and a charger plug to keep my phone powered. This removes the need for me to do that.

The GPS just plain works. I love the additional accuracy of the GPS receiver inside. It boosts whatever GPS app or the map application of the iPhone. I'm still monkeying with the settings as it seems that you still need to have some sort of cell or Wifi signal to use the GPS. That might be a sticking point but I'll figure it out soon.

The protection factor is huge for me. I usually carry around an OtterBox case that's almost waterproof and is definitely rugged. This case leaves that in the dust with its waterproof construction and all-around heft.

What don't I like? I'm not sure I like the price - it's $199 for the case.

I really want the case to allow me to sync my iPhone while inside...but it doesn't. This is clearly a drawback of having a completely sealed unit. But having to take the iPhone out repeatedly to add podcasts and files is a bummer. It also makes it possible for dirt and dust to enter the case if you're not careful.

I love the power options. The buttons on the bottom of the case allow you to charge the phone; use the GPS while charging the phone, or just allow the phone to run normally and not deplete the GPS or charge in the case.

And the case comes with an insert for your iPod Touch and all the necessary cables to charge the case.

*Inside the case is a dock that fits the iPhone or iPod Touch perfectly.

It's a good option for anyone who uses their phone as a GPS, travels for work or pleasure a lot, or just runs down their phone incessantly.

I'll let you know what I think after I've used the case for a few weeks in the wild.*

*I'm headed to New Orleans in a week or so to travel around the marshes and Gulf of Mexico to assess and report on the environmental impact the oil spill has had on businesses in the region. I'll be relying on the ToughCase to direct me around the area.

Rhode Island Energy & Leadership Day in Washington, DC

John Bergdoll at the Rhode Island Energy & Environmental Leadership Day event in Washington, DC

At the invitation of Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Jim Thomas, West Warwick Town Manager, myself, and other Rhode Island constituents were fortunate to participate in the Rhode Island Energy & Environment Leadership Day conference held in Washington, D.C. to learn about federal programs, share and connect with environmental leaders. Senator Whitehouse opened the session by saying, “We are now at a time of crisis and opportunity.”

Throughout the day there were repeating themes of environmental crisis, opportunity and urgency. Without a doubt, the confluence of environmental and economic events is arguing for action. Broad scientific agreement indicate that carbon emissions play a significant role in climate change urging us to end our fossil fuel dependence.

“The impacts of climate change are always being reinforced,” said Senator John Kerry. “The arguments are so powerful and yet we still have resistance,” With fire in the belly, Kerry explained, “We are in trouble folks. It’s a hell of a battle. Get in gear.”

John Bergdoll, Sustainability Business Coordinator for the Town of West Warwick, Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Jim Thomas, Town Manager of West Warwick, RI

“Rhode Island is preparing itself for the impact of climate change. We must prepare for the inevitable.” explained Nancy Sutley, Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality. Sutley further explained that there is tremendous stress on our oceans and, “We must find ways to balance the competing demands from our oceans. We are looking to create new and successful partnerships. A healthy environment and a healthy economy go hand in hand.”

“The Clean Energy and Environment Bill now being drafted is a major piece of legislation.” Sen. Whitehouse said. “Putting a price on carbon will be an important component.” It needs 60 votes to pass.

Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator and Massachusett Senator John Kerry

Massachusetts Senator John Kerry said, ‘We must become energy independent. The arguments are so powerful and yet we still have resistance. The energy market is a 6 trillion dollar market. It’s the mother of all economies, but we still have fear mongering, ideological battles, damaged gridlock, demagoguery.”

“Deforestation is one of the greatest causes of carbon emissions. We need incentives. It is a major impact on climate change. We need a grassroots revolution.”

“It’s rare in public life when you get a ‘two-fer’, said Kerry. “This is a ‘five-fer’ citing national security, jobs, U.S. could be leading the world, competitiveness, and the moral imperative of environmental stewardship.”

Lisa Jackson, EPA administrator, stated, “We need to move past the lobbying and into action. We need some growth sectors.” The devastation of the BP oil spill only adds to the urgency. Clean energy has to be profitable.”

Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed closed the session by saying, ”There are no shortages of issues.”

Regarding global climate change, Senator Reed summed it up by saying:

- China has surpassed U.S. dramatically. They are dealing with the problem and are setting up the technology the rest of the world will demand.”

- It's an opportunity to be competitive in a global marketplace where our success in the world could depend upon it.

- Our health and the planet’s reform

“Solutions will come from everywhere.”

“The era of cheap oil is drawing to a close. Drilling for oil now has to go deeper and further out which highlighting environmental risks and continuing concern about our dependence on the Middle East for energy. The price of carbon-based fuels will need to be higher for the nation to undergo a fundamental shift to clean energy.”

Samsung Behold 2 - Droid-esqe Google Phone

So I broke my iPhone. I'll go into how that happened on my social media blog, but here I wanted to give the quick version of what I like and HATE about the Samsung Behold 2 - a phone running on the T-Mobile network and serving as my current smartphone while I wait for an iPhone fix.

The Samsung Behold 2 - purchased used off Craigslist for $150 - is a good phone. If you're not already spoiled by years on the iPhone OS, it will certainly amaze you. It's not an Incredible, but it works quite well and has the power of the Android Marketplace and community behind it. Let's do a quick list of the good, the bad and the verdict.

The Good
A nice size for a cellphone. It's not an EVO and it's even smaller than the iPhone. Fits in any pocket and any hand.
It's a multi-processor. That means it lets stuff run in the background so you can quickly access mail, Twitter, maps and other apps. No need to start this stuff up. Once they're running, they stay running.
The screen is a nice. It's crisp and clear and color. It's also pretty responsive.
Call quality and speakerphone. Both of these are good. No trouble hearing people and the speaker is really loud.
Camera - fantastic functionality built in with the standard camera. 5MP with zoom, flash and lots of other functions. It's what Apple JUST NOW put in the iPhone 4.0.

The Bad
Battery life. This thing sucks power like an air conditioner or a huge projection television. With so many apps running all the time, I had to install an app killer app so I could stop processes from running in the background. Once I did that I got some battery life back.
The standard keyboard is infuriating. The keys are placed just close enough together that I cannot type any word without having to delete and retype a letter. I don't know if the Behold 2 will learn words, but this is probably the most limiting function for me as I use my phone to type stuff on email, Twitter, Tumblr and sometimes even to blog.
Connectivity. Not the networks - the 3G is AWESOME and fast. No, I'm having a bear of a time trying to transfer information to the phone. Since I had to move to the Behold from the iPhone without warning, the new phone has no contact info in it. In three full days of trying I cannot get the phone to show up as a hard drive and I can't find a way to import my contacts. I may have to give in and go to a T-Mobile store later today.

The Verdict
From what I've learning in my clicking around, this phone is a good option if you got it new and will be ready for another phone after a year. By that time you're reach the limit of the OS and will be ready for a newer Droid.
Samsung has said publicly that they won't be upgrading the OS to 2.0, so the phone is trapped in the dark ages (there is a class-action suit in the works because Samsung told buyers that the phone WOULD get upgrades up to 2.0 and more over time).

I say, if you are new to smartphones, can deal with a touchscreen interface, are smart enough to know how to monkey around with phone settings (it's not hard) and have small fingers, get this phone. It can be had for $150 new with a contract or probably for similar money online.

Let me know what you have for a phone and what you like or dislike about your model. Thanks!

Boston Red Sox Green Team...a matter of convenience

John Bergdoll (standing left of center) and the Boston Red Sox Green Team Volunteers from CEN/REBN (Clean Economy Network/Renewable Energy Business Network). We patrolled Fenway Park collecting recyclable bottles, plastic cups and containers during a spring Red Sox night game. It was a fun way to help out with community service, encourage environmental responsibility, reduce our environmental impact, raise awareness, and catch an exciting baseball game. Each green shirt was made from five recycled water bottles.

Volunteering for the Boston Red Sox Green Team was a good opportunity for me to experience first-hand how eager people are willing to recycle when given the option. Some people even rushed their drinks so they could give me their plastics cups.

It was interesting to note how grateful and supportive all the fans were toward me for my recycling efforts of walking up and down the isles asking for plastic recyclables.

The Boston Red Sox Green Team was successful in collecting recyclables because it was a ready option and it was convenient. I did not, however, observe anybody holding on to their recyclables to dispose of them in the recycling bins underneath the stands.

CONCLUSION

People are very willing and interested in recycling when it's convenient but less apt to recycle when it's inconvenient.

SOLUTION

Placing permanent recycling bins in the isles in place of a couple seats on each isle would be a visible and a convenient option. Public service announcements should also be made to encourage responsible disposal of all recyclables at the ballpark.

Recycling bins underneath the stands are inconvenient, and in my view, underused. Ignoring the convenience factor of fan behavior fosters a wasteful linear approach to our natural resources which is unsustainable in our planet of finite resources.

What are your thoughts?

Twitter @JohnBergdoll