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Virtual Reality…or at least the virtual reality that we know today began somewhere back in 2012 when a teenage kid by the name of Palmer Luckey started a Kickstarter campaign for his VR headset, The Oculus Rift, that raised $2.4 million. Two years later, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg, bought Palmer’s company for $2 billion.

Now that the very short history lesson is over the question comes up “Will Virtual Reality change your life?” Virtual reality is no longer just about video gaming; it holds promise as nothing short of revolutionary for just about every other industry, as well. Today we are going to focus on the healthcare industry.

Healthcare is one of the biggest adopters of virtual reality which encompasses surgery simulation, phobia treatment, robotic surgery and skills training. One of the advantages of this technology is that it allows healthcare professionals to learn new skills as well as refreshing existing ones in a safe environment. Plus it allows this without causing any danger to the patients. So if you get worried about young baby faced student teachers coming in to treat you, very soon you will have to worry no more.

One of the biggest uses with VR is in robotic surgery. This is where surgery is performed by means of a robotic device controlled by a human surgeon, which reduces time and risk of complications. Virtual reality has also been used for training purposes, and in the field of remote telesurgery, in which surgery is performed by the surgeon at a separate location to the patient. The main feature of this system is force feedback, as the surgeon needs to be able to gauge the amount of pressure to use when performing a delicate procedure.

As with every new technology, of course, there are some issues of time delay or latency which is a serious concern as any delay, even a fraction of a second, can throw a surgeon and interrupt the procedure. Hence there needs to be precise force feedback in place to prevent this.

Another great use for virtual reality is in PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) with veterans or really anyone with the symptom. Clinicians can place patients within realistic and immersive scenes that can trigger anxieties or fear within the patient. The patient can then be guided through the scene so that they can cope with the situation within which they are placed.

All in all this is a very new technology that is just getting the ice burg tipped in its applications.  And as said before, with any new technology there are going to be kinks. In the digital age we live in it is great to know that a technology mainly invented for gaming and the potential for an augmented life out side our own. People much smarter than me can take it and adapt it to help people and potentially make their lives better. How do you feel about Virtual Reality? Would you use it to help change your life?

Spring is finally here, and while we’re cleaning our houses and throwing out things we don’t need, it’s important not to neglect cleaning our digital lives as well.
Files can build up quickly and effect the performance of a computer. Here are some tips to keep your Windows-powered personal computer clean.

1. Antivirus Scan
This is something that should be happening on a regular basis, but in case it’s not, users should run an antivirus scan on their computer to make sure that it is free of malware. Not only can malware invade your privacy, steal your data and ruin your digital life, but it can also significantly slow down a computer.

2. Run Disk Cleaner
Running a Disk Cleaner can be very helpful in removing old, unnecessary files and speeding up your computer. A Disk Cleaner removes old temporary files used by programs that are not needed. You’ll be surprised by how many of these files there are on your computer after only a few months of use.

3. Uninstall Old Programs
Head over to the Control Panel and then to Programs. There should be a long list of all the programs that have been installed or that came pre-installed on the computer. Now, it’s important to be a little careful here, as you don’t want to remove something that you need or that is important for the computer to run. If, however, you see a program that you haven’t touched in six months, perhaps it’s time to get rid of it and free up space on your hard drive.

4. Put Things In Folders
Cleaning a computer isn’t always just about removing files, it can also be about organizing them. While not essential to how your computer runs, organizing files into folders can greatly help you in being more productive. It makes it easier to find things when necessary, plus it just looks prettier than a long list of unorganized files.

5. Clear History and Cookies
Cookies contain information that websites have gathered about you and stored on your computer as small text files. Most of these files are completely harmless, but others store private details like where you went, what you did, and any personal information you gave. Each browser and mobile device stores history and cookie differently, so we found a helpful website with instructions for a variety of mobile and desktop search engines.

Spring is here and Summer is right around the corner.  That means DIY projects are in full effect! So check out these smart upgrades to some simple but important things in your home.  They might be a bit more expensive than the “old reliable” versions but it’s smart functions and convenience should out way the price tag.

Nest Protect

The second-generation Nest Protect has arrived and it’s noticeably sleeker and smarter than its predecessor. With a slimmer profile, a new in-app “silence” button that allows you to turn off smoke and CO alarms remotely and integration with the Nest Learning Thermostat , Nest Cam and IFTTT, this detector is the best connected one we’ve seen if you’re willing to ditch the old white puck.

August Smart Lock

Smart locks are a fickle category. Because they’re securing your front door, you want something durable and reliable that will actually make your life easier. But some models are hard to install, others have confusing apps or hit-or-miss performance. The next-gen August Smart Lock has none of that nonsense. It looks good, it’s reliable, the app is easy to use and this version works with Nest, Logitech Harmony remote, and Siri.

BeOn Light Bulbs

BeOn’s bulbs feature an intriguing mix of security-minded features not found with other smart bulbs. They’ll replay your typical lighting patterns when you’re away from home, turn on automatically when someone rings the doorbell and continue to work when the power goes out. A modular, upgradeable design could bring even more features down the line.

Amazon Echo Dot

The second-gen, mini-sized Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker is just as smart as the first at nearly half the cost, and it’s better at hearing you, too.  It’s a hands-free, voice-controlled device that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms, read audiobooks, and it’s also the only Echo product you can connect to an existing audio setup.

Ecobee3 Thermostat

Smart, really smart – intuitively understands when to turn on your heating or cooling based on your home’s unique energy profile, the weather outside, and thousands of other data points to make sure you’re comfortable at all times.  Knows you have a life – senses whether anyone’s home and which rooms are occupied, delivering comfort when you’re at home and saving you energy (money) when you’re not.