Only 98 emails in 2 weeks: Gmail filtering and labeling minihowto

Yep, only 98 emails to respond to after two full weeks of holiday.
Took only 4 hours to handle them all ... inbox back to zero.
These are *cough* important *cough* emails, emails that demand some kind of response from me.

All other emails are filtered away (out of my inbox) and given an appropriate label. These emails are not essential stuff and clutter my inbox. This group of emails consists of newsletters, notifications, updates, news from different social networks, ... after two weeks I had 900+ of them. I should read/handle most of them, but there is no pressure/urgency to do such.
I use Gmail filters and labels to make these -less important emails- skip my inbox and drop them in a labelled "folder".
Your filters/labels could look like this:

• Do this: Skip Inbox, Apply label "NEWS"
• Do this: Skip Inbox, Apply label "DEV"
• Do this: Skip Inbox, Apply label "BIGBOOBIES"

To filter on multiple email addresses you can simply add "OR" between them (my newsletter-filter contains more than 100 email addresses). You can add a wildmark like "@newsletter.com" in your filter to grab all mails coming from a certain source. You can find other search/filter - operators here.
I admit it took quite some time to set this system up and produce the needed filters. I estimate the setup time (from scratch) at about 5 hours.

The filtered setup boosted my email handling efficiency enormously and greatly improved my focus while working. Furthermore I saw a light at the end of the (email-)tunnel ;)
Another advantage is that I consult my email more via the smartphone. As only stuff that matters comes in my inbox, it makes reading/responding much easier.
I estimate the ROIT (return on invested time) at about 1 month.

No rocket science here, just a very simple little triage that saves me A LOT of time.
Do not forget to backup your filters! (labs -> Filter import/export)

If you know other easy and simple tricks, please let me know!
Thanks!

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Google mapping links, tools and healthcare use

Mapalist is a wizard for creating and managing customized Google maps of address lists

KMLCSV Converter is a free open source software that enables you to convert Google Earth KML file to a formatted CSV file (and vice versa). This CSV file can then be uploaded into your Garmin GPS by using Garmin POI Loader, which can be downloaded for free. This allows you to easily plot all custom point of interests (POI) through Google Earth first before transfering them into your Garmin GPS. For further instruction in how to use to do so, please refer to the Tutorial.

Use Yahoo pipes to display a Google calendar in Google Maps. Praise for Tony Hirst

XML to XLS conversion is easiest with Excel

Examples
New York citywide hospitals: here
Belgian carehomes (dutch): here
Google maps H1N1 Swine Flu tracker: here
Health Informatics Events calendar KML file (copy link and paste it in the Google Maps search window): http://is.gd/1kSGj

If you know more examples, please add.
Thanks!

Posted via email from bartcollet's posterous

Ten Principles for an “iPhone­-like” Platform for HIT

Ten Principles for Fostering Development of an “iPhone­-like” Platform for Healthcare Information Technology

http://www.chip.org/platform

1. Technology platforms that support substitutable applications should be promoted.
   


2. Messages and protocols for data exchange should be allowed to emerge on demand in a market-driven approach, and specified transparently at every level.
   


3. Protocols and application programming interfaces should allow the possibility of multiple platforms co-existing.
   


4. Application programming interfaces should be open.


5. Substitutable application or platform vendors should not have control over what is installed on the platform.


6. Application installation should be turnkey.
   


7. The intellectual property of platforms and applications should be kept separate.
   


8. All applications should be removable and none should be required to run a platform.


9. The platform should have a highly efficient delivery mechanism for applications.


10. Certification requirements for platforms and applications should be kept minimal to maximize substitutability.
    

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Updating blogs with mobile

Using a Nokia N97 and the new functionality of Posterous, which is autopostr.
This is no 'groundbreaking' technology, but I only want to stress the ease of use. The very simple keyboard (which allows reasonable fast typing) of the N97 and its 5 megapixel camera are the base for this lightweight type of communication. The posterous autopostr updates posterous + blog by sending ONE email. Can't get any easier then that.
Could use a spellcheck though.
Produced in

Posted via email from bartcollet's posterous

DIY Telemedicine for at home monitoring

I think there's giant market for DIY wireless healthcare monitoring @ home. 

Call it a Nokia Sports Tracker framework, with additional health monitoring functions and professional follow up.

People with broadband routers can buy devices (fitness, weighing scale, heart monitor, glucose meters, accelerometers, ...) that interconnect with the router via Wi-Fi.
Companies can offer:

• non-expensive devices that are easy to use and install
• services/platforms for interpretation of the data (and sharing?)
  
• guidance/advice for end-users
• alarm-procedures/interventions

Simplicity = key

What effect will this have on government spending?

Posterous autopost strongly recommended by moi

How does autoposting work?
Just set up your other accounts here. The next time you post to posterous, we will instantly autopost everywhere else:

• Facebook profile newsfeeds will be updated each time you post to notify your friends. You can also autopost photos to your photo album and embed your blog directly in your profile.
• Twitter messages will use the title of your post up to 130 characters, and then append a shortened post.ly url.
• Flickr photos will be put automatically in your photostream. If you attach multiple photos, we'll post them all in the order we receive them.
• Blogs will be updated with the full content you send us. We'll host your images, music and files, so you don't have to lift a finger.

You control where we post.
Just email the right address and we'll do the right thing.

• Post Everywhere?    post@posterous.com as usual
• Twitter?    twitter@posterous.com
• Flickr?    flickr@posterous.com
• Facebook?    facebook@posterous.com
• Tumblr?    tumblr@posterous.com
• Any other blog?    blog@posterous.com
• Posterous only?    posterous@posterous.com
• Combine them!    flickr+twitter@posterous.com

You can also address an email to #{text}@posterous.com and it will post to any site where the url contains that text.

#apple@posterous.com will go to apple.wordpress.com and flickr.com/apple, but NOT banana.blogspot.com.

LINK: http://www.posterous.com/autopost

Posted via email from bartcollet's posterous

Attempt at a Nexthealth definition

Nexthealth is the entire array of inexpensive and pragmatic (userfriendly + down to earth) technology, methods, techniques and systems that offer practical solutions to cope with:

• increasing aged population and chronic diseases
• increasing regulation, complexity and administration
• altering patient expectancy towards healthcare delivery
• decreasing workforce
• decreasing means