Microsoft and Google are the two most valuable technology companies, according to Bloomberg, and they are engaged in a battle to control “how consumers and corporations work, shop, communicate and go about their digital lives,” according to an article in the NY Times on 12/16/07. Google sees all these things happening through a Web-based system, but Microsoft envisions a future where most of these things happen through desktop PC software.By offering Web-based computer software applications, called Google Apps, for word processing, email and spreadsheets to companies, universities and consumers, Google is trying to change the software business and in the process is directly challenging Microsoft’s PC software empire. “If Google succeeds, a lot of the value that Microsoft provides today is potentially obsolete,” David Yoffie, a professor at the Harvard Business School, told the Times.Taking on Microsoft will not be an easy task for Google. Microsoft has a commanding position in the personal productivity software business, with a share in excess of 90% and with Microsoft’s Office Suite running on 500 million computers, according to the Times. It’s certain that Microsoft will fight tenaciously to defend their business. They already are investing heavily in Web-based software, large data centers and are adding Internet features, to counter Google’s advances in these areas. Microsoft’s strategy appears to be one where they will embrace the web, while trying to maintain the profitability of their PC based business.Some of the advantages of Google’s software include being able to develop and release it more rapidly than conventional software, new features and improvements can be added quickly and you can access it from any online connection, without being tied to your PC. Eric Schmidt, Google’a CEO, told the Times that small businesses could greatly reduce their costs and technology headaches by adopting Google’s web offerings. Dave Girouard, who runs Google’s enterprise business, told the Times, “a lot of big companies” will soon be using Google Apps. Jeff Raikes from Microsoft dismisses Google’s optimism as wishful thinking, in the Times article. Google must also face the fact that many large companies view Microsoft as a safe choice and may be reluctant to switch software vendors. Companies and individuals may also be reluctant to store sensitive information on Google’s servers.Ultimately, the success of Google’s Web-based software will be dependent upon the cost and ease of use. Business people in a variety of industries are watching this venture closely, to see if Google can be successful in an area outside of Internet search. In the near term, I believe Microsoft will continue to be the dominant force in the software business, but if Google succeeds overtime, Microsoft will likely have to lower their prices, which will cut into their profit margins. Whatever the outcome, it should be interesting to watch these two technology heavyweights battle it out for control of the digital universe.
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How is Parkinson’s Disease Treated?
Parkinsons disease is a comparatively common condition of the nervous system which is as a result of problems with the nerve cells in the part of the brain which generates dopamine. This is a chemical substance that is needed for the smooth management of muscles and motion, so the symptoms of the disorder is a result of a reduction of that chemical. Parkinson’s disease mostly impacts individuals aged over 65, but it can and does come on at younger ages with 5-10% developing before the age of forty.
The chief clinical features of Parkinson’s disease are a tremor or shaking, that will commences in one arm or hand; there is often a muscle rigidity or stiffness along with a slowness of motion; the stance gets more stooped; additionally, there are equilibrium concerns. Parkinson’s can also cause greater pain and result in depression symptoms and create problems with memory and sleep. There isn’t any specific test for the diagnosis of Parkinson’s. The identification is usually made primarily based on the history of the symptoms, a physical along with neural evaluation. Other reasons for the signs and symptoms also need to be eliminated. There are imaging assessments, such as a CAT scan or MRI, that can be used to eliminate other issues. From time to time a dopamine transporter diagnostic might also be utilized.
The actual cause of Parkinson’s isn’t known. It does appear to have both genetic and environmental elements with it plus some specialists think that a virus may induce Parkinson’s as well. Decreased amounts of dopamine and also norepinephrine, a substance which in turn is responsible for the dopamine, have already been found in those with Parkinson’s, but it is not yet determined what is causing this. Unusual proteins which are named Lewy bodies have been located in the brains of those who have Parkinson’s; nevertheless, experts don’t know what role they may play in the development of Parkinson’s. While the specific cause just isn’t known, studies have identified risk factors that establish groups of people who are more prone to develop the condition. Men are more than one and a half times more prone to get Parkinson’s as compared to women. Caucasians are much more prone to get the condition as compared to African Americans or Asians. Those who have close members of the family who have Parkinson’s disease are more likely to develop it, implying the inherited contribution. A number of toxins could raise the potential for the problem, implying a role of the environment. People who experience difficulties with brain injuries can be more likely to go on and have Parkinson’s disease.
There is no identified remedy for Parkinson’s disease. That will not imply that the signs and symptoms can’t be handled. The main method is to use medicines to raise or replacement for the dopamine. Balanced and healthy diet together with frequent exercise is crucial. There may be changes made to the surroundings at home and work to keep the individual involved as well as active. There are also some options sometimes for brain surgical treatment which can be used to relieve some of the motor symptoms. A diverse team of different health professionals are often involved.
Understanding the Impacts of Gout
Gout is among those historical problems because there are numerous mentions of it in historical literature, at least since ancient times. The traditional typecast of it is that it is related to the upper classes that binge in alcohol and certain foods. This image was pictured in early art work illustrating people who had gout. Gout has stopped being viewed as a problem of over consumption, because of the current research demonstrating an important genetic component to it.
Gout is a distressing inflammation related disorder which mostly impacts the joints, most commonly the great toe joint with the feet. It is because of uric acid crystals getting placed in joints in the event the bloodstream uric acid quantities are increased. The uric acid comes from the breakdown of purines which come from the consuming of foods like venison, salmon, tuna, haddock, sardines, anchovies, mussels, herring along with alcohol consumption. It is possible to understand how that old misconception was produced according to the overindulgence of the higher classes in those types of food and alcoholic beverages. The actual problem is not really the quantity of those foods which can be consumed, but the actual genetics of the biochemical pathway which usually breaks the purines in these food items down into the uric acid and how your body deals with it.
While diet is still important in the treating of gout and lowering the quantity of food which have the purines with them continues to be considered essential, however it is becoming apparent recently that this is just not sufficient by itself and just about all those who have gout probably will need pharmaceutical management. It goes without saying that drugs are likely to be needed for relief of pain throughout an acute flare up. The acute phase of gout is extremely painful. Over the long term there are two forms of drugs which you can use for gout. One kind of medicine block chemicals in the pathway which splits the purines into uric acid, which simply implies there will be much less uric acid in the blood stream that could find its way in to the joints to trigger an acute episode of gout or lead to the long-term gout. The other main kind of drug is one that can help the renal system remove much more uric acid. This would also reduce the urates in the bloodstream. Generally, only one of those drugs is all that’s needed, however occasionally both are needed to be utilized at the same time. Since these prescription medication is ordinarily pretty successful, that will not indicate that the life-style and eating habits changes may be pushed aside. Local measures, including wearing good fitting shoes if the big toe joint gets too painful is important. Also ice packs during an acute flare up will also help with the relief of pain.