Technology

Bloom Energy is a company which was founded in 2001 and has its headquarters in Sunnyvale at California. Their product Energy ServersTM for generating power at the commercial site itself is used by some of the renowned corporate names such as Coca Cola, Google, Federal Express and more. This unique product uses a cell technology which was innovated during preparation of NASAs Mars program. I concede that the server uses materials and fuel which is renewable and combined with technology that will be able to produce affordable, reliable and clean power anywhere. Perhaps, there may be resistance by the government as it may reduce the revenues they generate from the utility companies while their customers will switch to Blooms Energy Servers as their primary source of power.  Admittedly, this product seems to be a reliable source of power for customers but it may not be able to cater to a wider audience as it may require niche technical skills for maintenance and support which many may not be afford.

The technology used and architecture of Bloom Energy servers
It is made up of a technology that uses solid oxide powered fuel cells which is different than the traditional hydrogen fuel cells as the material cost is lower, higher efficiency and flexibility in choice of fuels. Also, this device employs electro-chemical processes to convert fuel in to electricity unlike the regular combustion techniques.

Energy Server comprises of thousands of fuel cells where each solid flat ceramic square is made up of common sand powder. One fuel cell is capable of producing 25W of power which is sufficient to light a bulb. More number of cells is sandwiched with the help of some interconnecting plates which is then called a stack. This stack is then sufficient enough to power a house. These stacks are coupled together form power modules with a common fuel input and common electricity output to form an assembled system. In case there is a higher requirement for power, many energy systems are deployed along side.

It is granted that it has advantage of easy setup and deployment for scaling up or down but the issue is that it will require expert skills for initial setup and continuous maintenance as the technology involved is uncommon unlike that used for combustion generators which can be handled by common man.

Energy economics, lock-in pricing, pay as you grow, cleaner energy and security
The prices have gone up by 6 in the last 40 years. Experts have concluded that there will be a further significant increase in the prices due to rising fuel costs and large investments which are being made to overhaul the grid infrastructure. Not only is the price increasing but the volatility is very high as the outages are unpredictable due to shortage of power, natural disasters, surges etc.  Bloom Energys solution can help in overcoming the hurdles of energy but on the opposing the government may not commission this product as easily as it is not in their interest while their revenues begin receding.
With Bloom Energys solution, the clients can get in to a long term arrangement (lock-in pricing) with fuel suppliers sourcing at discounted rate in turn producing electricity at lower rates for the same fuel. The onsite generator will not have costs to be considered for transmission and distribution (TD) which again will hit the interests of the government as they may not be able to generate revenues by recovering TD costs in the energy bills.

Economic viability is not the only need of the hour. The customers are also conscious about reducing their carbon footprint but not at the cost of their bottom line. The Bloom Energys solution helps the customers even make a choice of their fuel which can help them reduce their contribution of carbon, sulphur and nitrogen emissions. It having a modular architecture, businesses can install capacity as per their power needs and can augment the capacity when the need grows. It is not easy as it sounds because it may require experts on the team dedicated to handle the maintenance of the servers which is not the case otherwise. This can also divert the companys attention to issues which used to trivial earlier.

Energy security is the also critical knowing that most have complete dependence on the grid which is a shared and centralized resource. One cannot forget the blackout of 2003, where 55 million people in eight US States and Canada were affected. The answer to this is distributed generation.

Distributed generation
Admittedly, Distribution Generation is the need of the hour where the load of power requirement on central grids has to be shifted to the consumer and Bloom Energys Energy Servers perhaps are a solution to the worlds latest requirement of Distributed Generation. The power has to be generated at on-site than centrally and hence eliminating the cost, interdependencies, and inefficiencies associated weith sourcing power through transmission and distribution. But looking at the complexities involved with the new technology and lack of availability of expert skills it will be difficult for customers to devote and maintain such servers while their attention gets diverted from their main business.

Irrespective of combustion and solar energy being unclean and intermittent options, they may still be preferred over the Blooms energy servers as they are easy to procure, install and maintain as there is sufficient expertise available to maintain and support them.

I concede that the Energy Servers are able to lower energy costs, eliminate volatility, save environment, improve security and reliability and get easy access to power. Perhaps it may not be as successful as it may require expert skills who can handle the new technology using sand as fuel. There could also be resistance from the government as it doesnt serve their interest while they may lose revenues in case Energy Servers turn out to be successful.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is defined as the art, craft, and science of driving web traffic to web sites (Davis, 2006, p. 2). Google is one example of a search engine that involves a very complicated use of software. It has transformed into a big business, providing easy access to all kinds of information that computer users want to retrieve or search on the Internet (Davis, 2006). There are various ways that computer users can effectively utilize SEO, which include mastering how the Google works, learning how to utilize the paid Google programs, and understanding how to be included in Google search results (Davis, 2006).

Search engine optimization has been developed to incorporate several techniques of promoting traffic to web sites (Davis, 2006). The important factor that led to the emergence of SEO is learning to develop web pages and web sites in order to enhance their placement on the search engine. Search engine placement is defined as a way for web pages and web sites to appear in the list of search query results made by computer users (Davis, 2006). The appearance of web pages or web sites at the top of the list of results searched by users is the ultimate goal of every owner of web pages or web sites.
 
An effective SEO understands which queries are important to a particular web site. The use of SEO is rapidly growing in the field of advertising. Placement of advertising in the web is determined by utilizing the metrics of cost-effectiveness (Davis, 2006). The success and failure of advertisements are dependent on the traffic to a web page or a web site. Search engine optimization specialists consider not only the importance of search engine placement but also focus on the wider perspective of business and web innovations that help establish traffic to the web page or web site.

There are four key mechanisms that a search engine can implement, which include discovery, storage of links, ranking, and return of results (Davis, 2006). Discovery refers to searching web pages or web sites, which can be achieved by utilizing software that can access web links. Ranking refers to the order of stored web pages or web sites according to their importance while the return of results refers to the organization of search results based on the ranking as a response of search query made by computer users (Davis, 2006).

There are three key practices of effective SEO. These include understanding how the web pages or web sites are read by software, taking intelligent steps in ensuring the web pages are optimized from the perspective of the search engine, and trying to avoid over excessive use of SEO practices to prevent the blacklisting of the web pages or web sites by the search engine (Davis, 2006).

Computer users or web developers can take advantage of the effectiveness of SEO by developing a plan that integrates SEO into the web pages and web sites (Davis, 2006). The integration of SEO in web pages or web sites can help outperform properties of other web sites or web pages that do not incorporate SEO. The key advantage of using the core principles of SEO is to have a gradual increase in the ranking in search engine results (Davis, 2006).

Search engine optimization has several advantages. It can help influence the kind of traffic to the web pages or web sites. This is the reason why web developers must consider integrating SEO in the business plan and market research (Davis, 2006). Traffic to the web sites or web pages consists of consumers who are truly interested to the products offered by a company, who are willing to purchase the product, and who have all the means to purchase the product (Davis, 2006). In order to have a successful SEO, it is important to know the target customers and develop a detailed plan to attract potential visitors to the web site where they can become a regular customer. However, SEO would not help unscrupulous web sites to attract traffic because the search engine automatically removes them upon discovery of scams.

I certainly agree with the fact that the initial response to Photoshop   especially if one has been dabbling in traditional art fields for a long time   is that it seems to make everything easier for 2 dimensional art. Upon introduction to the software, one would almost automatically dismiss all other programs in the creative suit out of excitement for Photoshop.  Eventually though, most people venture out into the other programs in the suite and find that the some of the things they do on Photoshop are more suited to the other programs. I find nothing wrong in first learning Photoshop and then eventually moving on to the other programs of the suite. If anything, it could even build up a certain foundation on the basics of the other software.

I believe Photoshop is the  gateway program  - so to speak   to the other software the Adobe Creative Suites have to offer. Most digital artists unwittingly use it as a stepping stone to increase their prowess in the digital arts. I agree that there is no other program that can deal with raster-type images in a more well-rounded way than Photoshop. It certainly helped me out in my career in digital art, and has given great basic knowledge of how the other programs in the Creative Suitte work. It has also showed me that although I can create most anything in Photoshop, other programs are more suitable for other tasks at hand.

Photoshop has certainly given rise to a lot of half-baked artwork making the rounds. I agree that this is due to the accessibility of the program which leads to its growing userbase which no longer exists of the more hardcore artists and designers. However, it also means that more and more people are trying their hand at digital art. This means that the pool of the next generation of artists has also grown bigger. We just have to continue on giving constructive feedback and criticism to lessen the number of low-quality work going around.

Its great that Photoshop continues to create waves in the digital art industry. Its subsequent and gradual dropping of the technical aspect of things has given rise to the number of budding digital artists as well as to the number of people who tend to try their hand at digital art rather than hire someone to do it for them. Of course this could lead to lower quality of work but we have to understand that with the proper guidance, some of these people could grow to be great digital artists. In any case, there is also the factor  wherein great job positions are of course given to the good designers which could also be motivation enough for artists too hone their crafts.

Photoshop has long since evolved from being a professional tool used only by the most dedicated of digital artists to a user-friendly software that can easily be accessed and utilized by most anyone with a computer. With the advancements of modern technology and the rate of computer literacy growing larger and larger as children who learn how to use the computer get younger and younger, more and more people are using Photoshop to make adjustments on digital images, tweak their personal photos, and create  their own  digital art.

I myself was hesitant about crossing over to the realm of digital art. The idea of entering a new field of art when I already have a good grasp of the more traditional art fields did not quite sit well with me. But with the aid of this  course, Ive come to realize that theres nothing to fear about delving into a the digital art world. For one, even with limited knowledge of the software, one can produce beautiful works of art and as your knowledge of the program grows, so does the number of ideas you can put to paper   or in this case, the screen. Even as you master Photoshop, youre sure to never run out of things to create, with the program now relying on your creativity.

Art trends have also begun to resurface due to the effects Photoshop has had over visual arts. Recreating classical looks for example,  has been made easier and convenient due to the software. Lomography, for example, has grown in popularity recently  with hipsters and fashionistas pimping out their social network webpages andor image blogs with digitally manipulated images that seek to resemble classic lomo photos. Tons of humorous renditions of classical masterpieces have been circulating the web, showing that it is possible to create artwork similar to those created by the masters with Photoshop. Purists may tend to criticize the recreation of classic styles and themes through digital means, but the end result is the same.

Perhaps one of the things I may have to watch out for with the acquisition of these skills is that people tend to overdo things when they learn something new. And with the possibilities made available by Photoshop, its always so easy to overdo something. Breaking away from ones work to allow for a fresh look at it still helps. And if you do screw things up, theres always the undo command.

Design of SOMA 1000W Wind Turbine by SOMA Power Pty Ltd
Factors that contributed to the design of SOMA 1000W Wind Turbine development
The technology that enabled the eventual design realization and the contribution to its form
Perception of the original design problem and the needs that the designer solved

Conclusion
Introduction
World-wide electricity use accounts for about 20 percent of electricity production in Denmark, 9 percent in Spain, and 7 in Germany. Wind power generation has more than quadrupled between 2000 and 2006 (Alicia, 2007, p.16).Most modern wind power is generated in the form of electricity by converting the rotation of turbine blades into electrical current using an electrical generator. In windmills, a traditional technology, wind energy used to turn mechanical machinery to do physical work e.g. crushing grain or pumping water.

The SOMA 1000 is a 1000 Watt wind generator suitable for battery charging in stand-alone power supply applications and for grid connection applications. It is desirable to reduce grid energy use-age, electricity bills and CO2 generation. The SOMA quietly generates power in wind speeds as low as 3.5ms (12.6kmhr or 7.9mph) and as high as 50ms (180kmhr or 112mph). It is designed with longevity in mind. The SOMA is a robust machine manufactured in Australia to survive the harsh conditions of Southern Coastline and can be used either as the prime source of power or as an addition to a solar power system (Alicia, 2007, p.17).

According to Alicia, (2007, p.20), the wind turbine is widely freely available and does not require fuel source but only requires people to put sails into the wind. Typical uses of the design are domestic power supply, telecommunications and any remote power applications. This paper will discuss the design of SOMA 1000W Wind Turbine by SOMA Power Pty Ltd Factors that contributed to the design of SOMA 1000W Wind Turbine development The technology that enabled the eventual design realization and the contribution to its form Perception of the original design problem and the needs that the designer solved and finally there will be a conclusion.

Design of SOMA 1000W Wind Turbine by SOMA Power Pty Ltd
SOMA Power Pty Ltd Company has specialized in renewable energy since 1981 and manufactures the SOMA range of wind generators which are sold throughout Australia and overseas. The company is located in Copacabana, New South Wales and was commissioned in May, 1995. The company also designs, installs and services hybrid solarwind stand-alone power systems and grid connect renewable energy systems. SOMA Power Pty Ltd is fully accredited (F520) for design and installation of renewable energy systems by the CEC (Clean Energy Council of Australia) and BCSE (Business Council for Sustainable Energy). It also has an Electrical Contractors License (9552C) as well as Electrical Engineering personnel on staff (Alicia, 2007, p.29).

SOMA Power PL trading as Sunrise Solar has been operating in the solarwind renewable energy industry now since 1982, manufacturing the SOMA wind turbine predominantly for the Australian market, and installing solar or wind power systems locally in New South Wales (NSW). The Managing Director of SOMA Power PL, David Bartley, began work in the solar industry in 1982, as an engineer for Tideland Energy in Brookvale, Sydney. Tideland Energy manufactured solar cells and panels initially for Navigational Aids and later became a major supplier of solar power systems for Telecom Australia. Tideland Energy was bought out by BP Solar in 1986 and David continued to work on Australian and overseas solar projects. In 1991, he left BP Solar and formed Sunrise Solar which isa distributor of BP Solar products. After many years of designing and installing solar and wind power systems, he acquired the manufacturing rights to the New Zealand brand SOMA Wind Generator, from David Mackay of SOMA Power NZ (Alicia, 2007, p.31). The Australian company SOMA Power Pty. Ltd. was afterwards incorporated to reflect the association with the well known wind generator brand of SOMA.

Factors that contributed to the design of SOMA 1000W Wind Turbine development
As stated by Alicia, (2007, p.37), there are various economical, social, political and socio-cultural factors that led to the design of SOMA 1000W wind Turbine. It was essentially built to help charge the battery bank that powers the companys offgrid home. Its a permanent magnet alternator which generates 3 phase ac, rectified to dc, and fed to a charge controller. The magnets spin with the wind and the coils are fixed in such a way that there are no brushes or slip rings necessary. The design was also implemented for remote sites where alternative power is required, such as home power and telecommunications.

The socio-economic factor for the design was to provide clients with system reliability and professional service. Its also aimed at being involved in an industry that is providing part of the answer to global warming economically. Through their many years of practical field experience in Australia and overseas, the company has learnt the importance of reliability when it comes to selecting components and designing products and systems (Alicia, 2007, p.40).  Political factors also led to the design as the government required a more effective source of power with least effects on the environment.

The Technology that enabled the eventual design realization and the contribution to its form
According to Alicia, (2007, p.56), SOMA Wind Turbines are made from the highest quality materials in order to withstand long-term wear and fatigue. The large rotor diameters ensure high efficiency in light to moderate wind speeds while the brushless, permanent magnet alternators are designed to produce a power curve to match the output of the 2 bladed, rotor, while operating at optimal tip speed ratios. The propellors are constructed using a hollow moulded fiberglass technique unique to SOMA.
Feathering Mechanism the design has a tilt back action which relieves pressure on the wind generator and tower in strong winds. This is a fail safe design with mechanical simplicity. A hydraulic dampener limits the feathering action in gusty wind conditions thus ensuring smooth operation.

Control Panel SOMA Wind Turbines are supplied with a voltage regulated control panel and dump load such that when the batteries are fully charged the excess power is burnt off as heat. The Control Panel has a tapered charge regulator which progressively reduces the supply of current to the battery as it reaches full charge. The upper voltage can be reset by adjusting the control dial to enable equalization charging.

Tilt Tower The Sunrise Solar manufactures 13 meters and 19.5 meters guyed tilt towers which are complete with brake winch. This ensures that there is no climbing or towing and that the towers are safe and easy to install and maintain.

Wind-Solar Hybrid To create a hybrid system, the Wind Turbine can be connected to the same bank of batteries as solar panels. With such a design, the system provides a more consistent supply of power and is less affected by variations in wind and solar levels.

Batteries Deep cycle batteries used are large enough to provide 3-4 days storage for windless periods. The SOMA1000W requires a minimum size of 550 AH at 24 volts or equally 275AH at 48 volts (Alicia, 2007, p.57). Lights and numerous appliances are supported to run directly off the battery. The design has a solar hybrid option which allows the wind turbine to be used in conjunction with solar panels to create a hybrid system. Such a system provides supply of power which is more consistent and less affected by variations in wind and solar levels.

Perception of the original design problem and the needs that the designer solved
Most of wind turbines sold since the start of the business have proven to be a huge disappointment as most have had short lives and several have failed while some didnt work from new. Some of these have been fixed and others refunded or replaced at the companys expense. Fitting cheap wind generator had the risk of breakage or worse.  A really good wind turbine is the Superwind or the SOMA Wind Turbine with long guarantees and almost indestructible (Alicia, 2007, p.58).
 
SOMA Wind Turbine is on the east coast of Tasmania, another on the west coast of King Island and several more scattered across Tasmania. These units are Aussie made quality wind generators. The design withstands gale and storm force winds often and is good for testing ground for wind generators. The unit is available in 12, 24, 48 and high voltage in 400 and 1000 watt models and is provided with a controller. When the SOMA wind turbine is in a good wind site, it can supply enough power for television, water pump, kitchen appliances, lights, radio, fan, washing machine and microwave oven.  SOMA wind generators are also the ideal source of power for scientific equipment and HYPERLINK httpwww.ferret.com.autTelecommunicationstelecommunications (Alicia, 2007, p.63).

Conclusion
The SOMA 1000W wind Turbine is used both in large scale wind farms for national electrical grids and in small individual wind turbines for providing electricity to rural residences or grid-isolated locations. This wind energy is very plentiful, renewable, clean, widely distributed, and reduces toxic atmospheric and greenhouse gas emissions when used instead of fossil-fuel-derived electricity. The SOMA 1000W wind Turbine has brought significant economic growth and environment conservation compared to other methods e.g. electricity and countries should consider employing this design for power generation.

Q1 Relationship between the study of heat and the kinetic theory of matter
The kinetic theory of matter states that all matter is made up of a large number of particles packed together in proximity dependent on whether the matter is solid, liquid or gaseous but in all of these substances, the particles are in constant motion (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2008). The random motion of these particles is directly proportional to the energy they possess (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2008). In other words, the motion of a particle determines the kinetic energy it possesses.

Heat is a form of energy and the total amount of heat energy an object possesses is an aggregation of all the kinetic energy possessed by the individual particles (Hyperphysics, 2010). When the object is heated up, the particles gain more energy and therefore their random motion within the sample of mass increases (Hyperphysics, 2010). Upon further heating to a specific energy level depending on the material, the motion of the particles becomes sufficient enough to occasion a change in state. If, for example, a copper sample is heated continuously, the particles contained therein (copper atoms) increase their kinetic energy and subsequently their motion within the confines of the sample until the motion is sufficient enough for the sample to turn into the liquid state (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2008).

The study of heat therefore serves to prove the kinetic theory of matter by proving the position maintained by this theory that particles have greater kinetic energy and therefore move faster at higher temperatures (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2008). When a particle moving at a higher velocity collides with a particle moving at a lower velocity, the fast-moving particle transfers some of its energy to the other particle, which in return gains in velocity. This explains why if matter is heated from one end, the heat spreads gradually until it reaches the end furthest from the supply of heat (Hermans-Killam  Daou, 2010). It is transferred through particle collisions. If the heat is kept on, eventually all the particles will be randomly moving at the same velocity and the result will be either melting or vaporizing.

Q2 What is Heat
Heat is energy. It travels in waves like any other form of energy and requires a medium to travel (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2008). This is because it is energy in motion and is transferred from particles in a medium when it gets into contact with them. The study of heat is therefore conducted to experimentally prove the particulate nature of matter and also the kinetic theory of matter (Hermans-Killam  Daou, 2010).

Heat is conducted through particles. When particles are heated, they gain energy, which is transformed to kinetic energy (Hermans-Killam,  Daou, 2010). These particles then gain velocity and increase the locus of their vibration. When particles moving at a higher velocity collide with slower particles (those possessing lower energy), some of the energy is transferred. These particles that have gained energy in turn collide with other particles, transferring some of their energy to them (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2008). Through this process, heat energy is transferred though a medium. This process is called conduction.

Convection is another form of heat transfer in which heat is transferred through a fluid like a liquid or a gas medium (Hyperphysics, 2010). When matter is heated, it expands so when fluids are heated, they expand. A particular weight of fluid is therefore housed in a larger volume, leading to a decrease in density (mass per volume). The heated fluid then moves in currents, transferring some of its heat energy to colder sections it comes into contact with (Hyperphysics, 2010). Since heat also moves as a wave, it can be conducted from the source to a body through radiation.

Q3 What is Temperature
The motion of particles described above is random, meaning that particles in a sample of matter do not travel at the same speed (Hyperphysics, 2010). There is therefore a range of energy among the particles. Each particle contains an instantaneous amount of heat energy, but the temperature of a body is the average amount of heat or thermal energy of all the particles in the body, regardless of the volume of the body (Hyperphysics, 2010). For example, water boils at 100o Centigrade and maintains this temperature until all of it has vaporized, therefore a small volume of boiling water will have the same temperature as a much larger volume of boiling water. Temperature is therefore the average degree of hotness or coldness of a body (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2008).

Q4 Relationship between heat and temperature and the difference between them
A body possessing more heat or thermal energy will have a higher temperature that a similar body (similar in physical structure and equal in volume) with a lower amount of heat.

Q5 While heat is the amount of thermal energy possessed by a body, its temperature is the degree of hotness or coldness. Low thermal energy in a body will make it have a low temperature.

Q6 Determinants of Specific Heat Capacity
Specific heat capacity is of a material is the amount of heat required to raise its temperature by 1 unit on the thermodynamic scale and is determined by the element or compounds molar mass, the presence of impurities the presence or absence of hydrogen bonds (Blauch, 2009).

Q7 Sources of Heat
Theoretically, energy, like matter, can never be created or destroyed (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2008). Heat as a form of energy is released from energy existing in another form. Heat is therefore released from chemical reactions such as metabolism, nuclear activity (like the reactions that make the sun burn), burning of wood and mechanical friction (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2008).

Discussion of the Technology
Healthcare is defined as providing medical and healthcare goods and services dedicated to the improvement of the health of individuals. The healthcare sector is engaged in the prevention, treatment, and management of illnesses and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical and allied health professionals, hospital management firms, health maintenance organizations, biotechnology, and variety of medical products and devices such as Assist Walker, UpRise Onyx Folding Walker, and Electric Wheelchair to name a few. Combining medical technology and the human capital, the healthcare industry diagnoses, treats, and administers care around the clock, responding to the needs of millions of people.

Information Technology (IT) is defined as the study of the development, design support, and management of computer-based information systems, specifically software applications and computer hardware. Completing some projects using information technology results in the quick processing and upward flow of information, as well as ameliorates reliability and completeness of processed information.  Recent innovations have improved the efficiency and quality in many industries.  In the purview of the healthcare industry, it allows people involved in the healthcare service to collect, store, retrieve, process, and transfer information electronically.  Using information technology can determine different products and the exact functions of a system which will depend on the specifics of its implementation in a given setting.

Nowadays, computers play an important role in healthcare medicine by aiding in certain aspects of medical diagnosis in instances such as producing a list of medically consistent diagnoses possible for a given set of symptoms presented by the patient indicating the best further diagnostic tests to differentiate between remaining diagnostic possibilities calculating the probabilities for the alternate diagnostic possibilities and enabling a more precise statement and analysis of the value decisions which may be associated with treatment planning. (Ledley  Lusted, 1960, p. 299)

Essentially, if there is something information technology can contribute to the healthcare industry, it is speed, efficiency, and accuracy of the delivery of information, especially in this business where accurate and timely information is considered very important since this involves people and their health.  Healthcare is in the business of saving lives and preserving them, and they need all the resources necessary to ensure that healthcare professionals can meet the challenges that go with the job.

The following are examples of real-life applications of information technology in the healthcare industry

In an article published by Healthcare IT News, The National Cancer Institute (NCI) plans to release a lightweight electronic health record (EHR) designed to capture data to a cancer patients office visit.  The standard-based software features capabilities that will enable the sharing of information about patient diagnosis, treatment, and out comers, according to Ken Buetow, associate director for bioinformatics and IT at the NCI (as cited in Mosquera, 2010). This technology is based on an early application of the Patient Outcomes Date Service, an open source ultra-light record derived from standards of NCIs Cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid (caBIG).  The record, whose purpose is to furnish data on patient demographics, disease, and treatment results, could be used by providers and even consumers for data sharing to concerned parties.  In time, the NCI plans to make this IT-base easily accessible to interested providers and consumers within 60 days (Mosquera, 2010).

Essentially, the use of information technology enables health care professionals to easily input data based on the initial examination of the patients and assist doctors in providing an accurate diagnosis which can be shared with the patient and enable doctors to address the problem by recommending the appropriate course of action.  Since this information is electronically stored, it is readily available when it is needed.  There is no need for the old-fashioned way of storing records in file cabinets which may be locked away in archives until pulled up in a later date which would take time. Furthermore, this information can be shared by other doctors who might encounter similar problems and enable closer coordination among doctors.

In another article from the Internet, a team of specialists from the Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston Texas an electromechanical device is being developed to discern regular influenza from the dreaded pandemic H1N1 that has struck fear in most parts of the world.  One of the challenges of the recent pandemic is for health specialists to differentiate the virus from seasonal influenza when confronting clinical classes, as this novel virus appears to have a distinct strain different from ordinary influenza virus. This is important because accurately identifying the virus strain has implications on how to address the problem.  This team recently made use of an electrochemical device on samples taken from recent cases of the H1N1 virus to see if it can identify the unique strains of the virus.  One device is called ElectraSense Influenza A assay and the other used RT-PCR or Luminex assays. Based on the findings, the former was able to identify the strains of the H1N1 virus with an accuracy rating of 99.  It was able to correctly identify 23 to 24 samples of the virus confirmed in the laboratoriesas well as all samples of influenza AH1N1 and AH3N2, and identify them as distinct from pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza virus (Straight et al., 2010,  pp.76-78).

These two website articles provide examples on the importance of information technology in relation to the healthcare industry because healthcare has always been one of the primary concerns for everybody the world over. Using information technology could bring additional benefits, considerable sharing of information among providers such as physicians, offices, hospitals, imaging centers, and clinics and laboratories. The primary focus of those advocating a healthcare information infrastructure is the development of standard medical devices to identify or distinguish signs and symptoms of certain diseases and ailments. The government can be involved by providing information dissemination for public healthcare through information technology.

The Role Technology will Play in Business
Healthcare Information Technology (HCIT) for business industries includes providers of insurance, healthcare products, medical equipment and information management systems. Information technology can play several roles in business industries to be indicated or suggested in order for productivity to increase when data processing tasks can be automated. This allows businesses to serve and accommodate more customers with fewer resources and do so quickly and efficiently. Managers can make well-informed decisions when the various metrics of business can be monitored and reported on in more meaningful ways to ensure effective results. Businesses can use the Internet to broaden their markets using Internet marketing or through the search engine optimization method which is very popular today to advertise their products, making them more accessible and convenient to reach new customers. However, one possible downside here is it also means increased competition.

Technology-based information security and integrity is significantly different from padlocks on filing cabinets to secure confidential files. Digitized information improves ones ability to preserve and protect data, but also creates new vulnerabilities that must be addressed. One of the best and newly invented remote control desktops and computing abilities can provide the opportunity for information workers to communicate online. This allows businesses to address a variety of concerns for fast and timely solutions, including the need for less office space thus reducing congestion in the workplace, reduction in commuting expenses as well as gasoline expenses for those who own cars, and allowing employees the flexibility or capability to deal with various circumstances and more.

There is no doubt that technology is here to stay.  Even for those who adhere to old-school methods in managing information, they will admit that information technology can make the tasks of healthcare professionals a lot easier in terms of speed, accuracy, and efficiency.  In this business, time is always of the essence since lives are at stake. Therefore, it is necessary for doctors to be provided with the necessary information at the shortest possible time from the time data is input to the time the information is fully processed into something useful.  Efficiency is related to speed in the sense that it uses less procedures or protocols to carry it out. Accuracy is also very important as it can spell life or death, and it is essential that correct information must be readily available.  This has been demonstrated in the abovementioned examples. For instance, in the first article, cancer specialists use it to quickly share information and in the second article, it shows how technology can correctly identify virus strains quickly which can prove vital to provide the appropriate treatment.  These prove that information technology is a vital partner to the healthcare industry and considered a godsend as the industry is trying to keep abreast with the future.