Ethnography is the branch of anthropology that deals with the scientific description of specific human cultures. In ethnographic research, people are observed in their real environments - home, office, shopping, etc.   In this way, unmet needs and areas of opportunity can be identified by watching their behavior within their normal context. Designers can use this information [...]

The holidays are a good time to take a step back and review the year’s accomplishments and setbacks.  It starts the juices flowing on what to do in the coming year.  What will be the big things you want to accomplish this year – for business and your personal life?  Review some of the projects [...]

Launched in 2005, Public Health Thank You Day is a nod to an important sector of people who work to keep us safe from injury and protect us from infectious diseases including the H1N1 virus and seasonal flu, pandemics, chronic illnesses, bioterrorism, safe drinking water and keeping children safe. Public health officials at the local [...]

It’s rare to see technology impact the results of a sport as dramatically as in swimming.  Swimming doesn’t seem to be a sport that lends itself to technology.  There are no motors, no equipment, no gear.  Until now, it seemed that the best way for a swimmer to decrease their time aside from physical training [...]

The H1N1 flu is coming your way soon if it hasn’t already.  Unlike most flu seasons where the elderly and those with weakened systems are at the highest risk, the individuals who are at greatest risk for this flu are those in the healthy 2-24 year old age group.  This past week in Vacaville, an [...]

Yesterday, I was at  a street fair celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake that hit San Francisco and the Bay Area.  Not too many people celebrate the anniversary of earthquakes, but in San Francisco, the devastating 1906 quake is celebrated every year at the same date and time of the quake. So [...]

I was happy to see President Obama on TV last night talking directly to the American people about healthcare reform. He has seniors and children in his family and he understands problems facing the elderly and the young. Healthcare has had runaway expenses for decades. And they won’t end until we change the way we [...]