Archive for May, 2007

Fedora Project Releases Fedora 7 Moonshine

Thursday, May 31st, 2007

by Michael Dorausch, DC

It’s May 31st, 2007 and I am excited about the Fedora Project and todays release of the Fedora 7 Operating System (aka Moonshine). It must be a Linux day since I posted earlier about Ubuntu installs on Dell. Anyway, I’ll be downloading Fedora 7 tonight and upgrading at least one of the servers (currently on Fedora core 6) we use here at Planet Chiropractic.

According the project, Fedora 7 is the first release where the development was 100% done in the community, with all the code being merged into a single external repository. This allows even more high-quality developers to work directly with the code, offering improvements on more than 7500 packages.

Fedora 7 runs on laptops and it should offer great power consumption along with extended wireless functionality. A very exciting part about this release is it is the first Fedora distribution with full Live CD/DVD capability, meaning you can run it from your cd-rom or DVD drive.

I’ll be doing an install on a fresh new dual core intel server that will house our growing library of chiropractic related photos, audio, and video. Just dropped 2 terabytes of storage into it so we should be good for at least until next month. ;-) I’ll test out the Live CD while on the road this weekend and give a report when I’m back.

In case you are wondering where you can get your hands on this moonshine stuff, here is a fedora download link: fedoraproject.org/get-fedora. You can do direct downloads or use a BitTorrent client.

If it is your first time downloading Fedora, be sure to review the installation instructions before choosing one of the download methods they offer.

If you are wondering what any of this means to chiropractors or Planet Chiropractic, it’s important to remember the open-source community has provided the backbone of nearly everything we have done (as well as the majority of the web) online, from webservers (apache), databases (mysql), operating systems (fedora, ubuntu, freeBSD), and numerous other packages and tools made freely available thanks to opensource.

As I mentioned earlier today about another Linux based OS, this is free software made available thanks to open source — many people working very hard together to see great software is available to the masses. Thanks to everyone that is developing/supporting open-source.

Ubuntu Linux on my Dell XPS M1210

Thursday, May 31st, 2007

by Michael Dorausch, DC

PC maker Dell recently announced that they will begin shipping computers in the USA loaded with Ubuntu, an open source community developed Linux based operating system that is loaded with features for the desktop user.

From what I could find online, Dell computers to be shipped with Ubuntu 7.04 “Feisty Fawn” distribution of Linux include the Dell XPS 410n desktop PC, the Dimension E520n desktop, and the Inspiron E1505n notebook computer. Just a few months ago I purchased a Dell XPS M1210 laptop that came shipped with Windows XP Media Center Edition and I was hoping Dell was going to include this model in their release. While I could find no evidence that Dell is planning to offer this laptop with a Linux based system, I had no problem downloading the free Ubuntu operating system and installing it on my notebook. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised and rather excited by the ease of install since I’ve tried running previous versions of this operating system on my notebook with not so spectacular results.

Ubuntu on my DellWhat I love most about Ubuntu on Dell is the lack of crappy 3rd party software that is typically shipped with their computers. When I bought Dell’s in the past I’d basically strip the entire hard drive and do a fresh Windows install so I wouldn’t have all those extra programs on my computer which I’d never use. To tell you the truth Ubuntu already comes with too much stuff for my tastes but it’s really easy to uninstall unwanted applications in this OS.

Besides not having to deal with the added junk software the second thing that I found critical was that Ubuntu recognized my wireless configuration and I had Internet access as soon as I completed my install. (My wireless even worked when booting just to the OS CD) For me this is the most critical point since nearly everything I do is done online in a web interface and Linux based systems are great for that. I loved that I didn’t have to install antivirus software and I’m not getting those annoying notices from antivirus companies to update an upgrade my applications every other day. I mentioned that Ubuntu is based on open source, and for you that don’t know what that means, it basically means it’s FREE. Yes, the operating his system is free and you can download it from the website at ubuntu.com (had the wrong link earlier, sorry about that).

If you’re a chiropractor you may be wondering is this operating system ready for the chiropractic office? In my experience if you’re going to run chiropractic office management software you may be better off sticking to Windows for now since I don’t know of any office management software programs that have installs and support for Linux based operating systems. That being said I certainly think it’s a great idea to get Ubuntu installed for computers your staff may be using to access the Internet, simply because of the lack of virus attacks on Linux based operating systems. Ubuntu installs with OpenOffice, another open source (free) product that features a word processor, spreadsheet tools, presentation tools, and other productivity office related tools. In my experience OpenOffice has been very easy to use and is loaded with productive features.

Ubuntu also makes a great operating system for the chiropractor on the road since there’s less likely a need for office management software when out of the office. With Firefox installed as a Web browser, Thunderbird or Evolution available as an e-mail client, the tools available from OpenOffice, and a mindbending number of other opensource products, you should have everything you could desire in an operating system. One example is open-source software called Audacity that allows you to use the microphone on your computer to record voice presentations. That could mean narrative reports, presentations, podcasts, and voiceovers for your slideshow presentations you’re making with your OpenOffice tools. Did I mention that all of this is free and without the hassle of viruses infecting your computer?

Just remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it’s likely available via open-source.

- - - - - - - - - -
Dr. Michael Dorausch is a chiropractor practicing Los Angeles, California. He has been utilizing open source products and platforms since the early 1990s and has been long recommending open-source products to others. Planet Chiropractic has utilized and/or continues to use products such as FreeBSD, Apache web server, Fedora core (now simply Fedora 7), Ubuntu desktop edition, Ubuntu Server, Audacity, Gimp, Wordpress, and a long list of other open source products. We are happy to support the open-source movement and would like to thank everyone working in this environment that has provided us with support and expertise.

Associate Available in N Dallas Area

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
2006 Parker graduate looking for a position in a North Dallas area clinic. I have been working as an independent contractor in a multi-disciplinary clinic and am now interested in taking a salary position and focusing on treating patients. I am familiar with the following techniques: diversified, F/D, Thompson and Activator. I have also worked with decompression therapy and cold laser therapy. I am excited to learn new procedures and help grow a practice. I have experience with screenings and have done public health talks.
If interested please email me at DrOvermiller@yahoo.com or contact me at 469-688-8933. Dr. Daren Overmiller

LOOKING TO RENT ROOM

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
Structural Integration Practitioner (aka Rolfing) looking to rent office space in Chiropractor's office in Hackensack area, Bergen County. Please call Antonio at (201) 410-6941

Used Multi purpose X-Ray Machine

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
1992 Summit D300 Cosmos, Serial # DB153-0692. 180 degree, multi angle, moving bucky. Max techniques, 300 MA, 6.0 sec, 125KVP.10 cassettes,
3- 8x10,4- 10x12,3- 14x17. de-installed professionally. tube in great condition.
Need to sell, make offer.

A Rewarding Place to Be

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
Enjoy the freedom of focusing on the patient and growing your practice. I will take care of the overhead, staff, be a coach and help with marketing and referrals. Please call with any questions including financial. Our practice is 10 yrs and growing and we have room for more.

State-of-art office for rent in Morristown, NJ

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
MORRISTOWN, NJ- Available T, Th, & Sat-Sun. The center of Morris County & one of the top 10 richest counties in the USA. 1,100 sq. ft., state-of-art office. I started out like this…renting a few days a week and it made it affordable and easy to get going quickly. This is a semi-open adjusting, family wellness modeled office. Office includes: Open front desk area w/ high counter tops (not a closed room w/ a window in it), a great child play area, consultation/ROF room w/ large view boxes & executive style furniture, x-ray/exam room w/ developing room & subluxation station, semi-open adjusting area w/ “T” bar, closed room for private adjusting if needed (w/ a Lloyd flex. distr. table in it), and a very open, bright, sunny reception area. Patient’s are WOW’ed by this office; it’s bright, very sunny, clean, modern, and welcoming. Beautifully framed and contemporary chiropractic artwork (not the stuff from the 70’s). X-ray unit can take full-spine films (14 x 36). Parking is sparse in this town, but this office has a large municipal parking lot literally in-front of it (never a parking shortage). It’s 1 block from both the downtown central area of Morristown and the train station (commuters to NYC). Location is less than 1 minute away from major highways, so there’s easy access to the office from other areas. It also gives you a larger radius of access to patients. Major/large companies are in the area. Morristown population is approx. 18,000,but grows to about 80,000 during the day due to businesses. The area has massive amounts of lawyers, M.D’s (a major NJ hospital is in Morristown), fitness places, restaurants, bars, shops, nightlife, etc. Great public schools, many prestigious private schools, and 4 colleges in the immediate area. Cut and paste the following URL to see a few pix of the office and then call to come see it for yourself. Click on “view album as slideshow” once you’re at the site: http://s153.photobucket.com/albums/s202/funkychiro/

Winco Adjusting Tables

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
2 Grey Winco Adjusting Tables $75 each. Please call with any questions or email me at marcycooper@msn.com. I can send you pictures. You must pick them up or pay to have them shiped.

View Box

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
$50 in great condition email with any questions marcycooper@msn.com.

Posters and Charts

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
Muscular System, Nervous System, Spinal Nerves, Cox Low Back Pain, Subluxation Degeneration and many more. $5-$25 each. Laminated and in good condition. Email with any questions marcycooper@msn.com

Associate available in N Dallas Area

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
2006 Parker graduate looking for a position in a North Dallas area clinic. I have been working as an independent contractor in a multi-disciplinary clinic and am now interested in taking a salary position and focusing on treating patients. I am familiar with the following techniques: diversified, F/D, Thompson and Activator. I have also worked with decompression therapy and cold laser therapy. I am excited to learn new procedures and help grow a practice. I have experience with screenings and have done public health talks.
If interested please email me at DrOvermiller@yahoo.com or contact me at 469-688-8933. Dr. Daren Overmiller

Chiropractic Jobs and Other Classifieds Now Available Via RSS

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

by Michael Dorausch, DC

Thanks to advances in Internet technology such as Really Simple Syndication (RSS), web content that in the past may have only been available in one location, can now be distributed through a potentially unlimited number of channels, offering much greater access to the source information. For example, a current news article written about whales in San Francisco, could potentially appear in minutes across thousands of web sites thanks to the technology behind RSS.

RSS Feed ImageMany major news companies are increasingly using RSS as a way to distribute articles published to their websites, making those articles available to readers via tools such as RSS browser plug-ins, and RSS readers available from companies like Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, and AOL, to name a few. The newer versions of Internet Explorer (7.0) and Mozilla Firefox (2.0) have the ability to display an RSS feed in a similar fashion to a typical HTML coded web page. What that means basically is when someone goes to visit a web site and clicks on the RSS feed, they will get to view the content (sometimes the entire article) instead of seeing a bunch of computer code that often does not make much sense to end viewers.

But RSS is not just for news content. While news distribution is by far the most popular use of RSS feeds, it is only one form of content out of many, being distributed across the Internet. Some web sites are distributing photos (Flickr by Yahoo!), pod casts (both audio and video), slideshow presentations, as well as other forms of content, such as classified ads.

A great example of how this technology is being used, for forms other than news and article content, is the RSS feeds that have been added to the chiropractic classifieds section at Planet Chiropractic.

With the addition of RSS technology, someone can now post a classified ad to one location and have it potentially appear on a multitude of web sites, thus increasing the likelihood that someone will view the ad, respond to the ad, and make a connection with the person or party posting the advertisement.

As an example, a chiropractor posted an ad late last week and stated that he was available to substitute at chiropractors offices in the state of California, for those seeking such services. As is typical, the ad was posted (for free) in the “associates available category” on the website. It should’ve technically been posted in the “substitutions and locum positions” category but that’s a topic for another day. Normally, someone seeking a chiropractor to cover their office would visit the classified ad pages and either do a search or browse for related information. With the addition of RSS feeds, this post (since it was a recent post) would appear in the feed and could potentially appear on any number of websites (typically related to chiropractic) across the Internet. You can view to different examples of how this sort of RSS feed is output here:chiropractordirectory.org/classifieds/ and here: 247chiro.com/classifieds/.

Additionally, using RSS reader (like the ones mentioned in this article) a person could “subscribe” to a feed (even a classified ads feed) and have the information within that feed delivered to their desktop or mobile phone. This ensures that the information one is receiving is always fresh and up-to-date, a fantastic addition to any website featuring classifieds or auctions.

Read more about Planet Chiropractic and the use of RSS feeds for classified ads here: RSS Feeds Added to Chiropractic Classifieds

About the RSS Features
Currently, the only information included in the RSS feed version of a users classified ad, is the title and the description (also known as subject or body) of the advertisement. This means it’s more important than ever that users engage in best description practices so as to improve the results intended from their posts. For example, when selling a practice in Las Vegas, a great title would be “Las Vegas Chiropractic Office for Sale” rather than “office for sale” or the ever so popular “practice for sale” heading. It’s just as important to include relevant information into the body of content so that people can better find out where you’re located.

Seeking Associate Position in IL

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007
2006 National grad currently seeking an associate position in the southwest/west suburbs of Chicago. I am familiar with the following techniques: diversified, F/D, drop, graston, activator (instrument), a/p rehab, and myofacial release. I am also acupuncture certified. Please email me if interested at DocShun@aol.com or contact me at 708-466-5535.

Dr. Baskin

Bennett High Frequency X-ray

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007
Bennett High Frequency X-ray with tilting grid cabinet. Excellent condition. Complete package with Konica SRX-101 processor, x-ray casettes and darkroom supplies/equipment. Call for details.

FL and TN Cover Doctor Available

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007
Don't trust your patients to just anyone. I'm one of 12 chiropractors in my family with over 222 combined years in practice. Chiropractic is not merely a job to me. When I cover your practice, your patients become mine, and I serve them as such. My name is Dr. Lisa Bartell-Coffman, and I utilize Thompson, Activator, Toggle-recoil, Diversified, and extremity adjusting. I'm glad to supply references. Call or email me at 678-591-6375 or lbartell14@hotmail.com for any questions or to check availability.