Bento Is Very Useful So Far

Heh, I've been looking for a nice database program to use. This is because I'd like to do some research during the Elective posting (should I pass all end-block exams). I need a good program to store information regarding patients, and allows me quick access to information with customizability. A good program would certainly help me compute statistical analyses much faster as the information becomes much easier to sort out.

I've tried FileMaker Pro (Macworld review), and it's just overkill; for someone like me who's among the computer savvy people you can find among medical students, it's just too hard to customize! It might take me a full week of use just to know enough to use it in my opinion. And that's too long (I'd rather spend time wasted on other stuff, which aren't exactly any more productive though).

And so now I've been trying out Bento (Macworld review). Let me tell you, it's just what I need; simple enough to use for a database beginner like me, and customizable enough, at least for the time being. Now I'm trying it out, and so far it's very good. This is how I'm making my current patient database, based on quick glance of some patients in the ward (click for full-size pic):

Hm, this is definitely a program I'd recommend for database beginners using Macs. I'll definitely try to meet Dr Alik and inform him of this program; I'm sure he'd use it as well for research purposes or just for personal stuff. This might not be a FileMaker Pro, and SPSS is 3000% more useful for statistical analysis (Bento has only limited statistical calculation capabilities), but it's better to crawl for us beginners rather than staying stuck. Once users (including me) are more familiar with the use of database programs/statistical analysis calculations, then a jump to FileMaker/other programs may be more productive.

Note: FileMaker Pro 9 is available for both Mac and Windows; Bento is Mac-only.

Irony

It definitely is, after Lance Ulanoff, chief editor of PCMag, admits to still be using Windows 3.1 as of today.

Put simply, I just did not see their benefits.

Bummer. How about all of the readers of your magazines who bought all of the subsequent versions of Windows (except Vista), despite official endorsement from your magazine? Hm...

Disclaimer: Ulanoff does not endorse Vista in any way whatsoever.

Buying a Laptop Instead of a Desktop (for College Students)

Someone asked me about the criteria when trying to choose a laptop to buy. Before thinking of buying a laptop, consider why you would buy a laptop instead of a desktop. 

Laptops are in general:

1) At least 40% more expensive than a comparable desktop with the same configuration

2) Have costlier replacements & insurance fees (might not be shown in the actual price). 

3) Inferior displays, unless if you're talking about new LED type displays in some new models of MacBook Pros.

4) Inferior keyboards, except those of Think Pads & MacBook Pros, which are expensive

5) Smaller maximum storage. From my current knowledge, maximum space for a 4800 rpm HD is 180 GB. Maximum space for 5400 (like my PowerBook G4) is 100 GB. With the same amount of cash, you'll get at least a 300 GB desktop.

6) Smaller maximum RAM. But this depends more on the fact that 32-bit processing computers can only handle 4 GB of RAM, as compared with 16 GB for 64-bit systems. Nowadays, you can find the most expensive multimedia-related laptops allowing for 4 GB. Nevertheless, they require 2 GB RAM chips, and they are expensive.

7) More fragile. I've had 2 hard drive failures in 2 years. This is attributed to the fact that laptops are readily moved around. Laptops are also more prone to heat-related long-term damage, generally attributed to the small enclosure.

8) Laptops can mess up your balls.

But there are some good points about laptops:

1) They're mobile. Unless you bought a >17 inch behemoth, you might be tempted to bring your laptop to most places you go to.

2) If you don't already have a computer at home, get a laptop for your everywhere needs. Better one than two.

3) Desktops usually do not come pre-equipped with wireless connectivity (WiFi, Bluetooth). An exception are the Apple iMacs (I don't know about PC's much, but I'm sure there are good examples). Most campuses are being equipped with WiFi networks. Desktop users are screwed if they're not in range of the wireless network.

4) Security. In a way, it is safer to use your own computer connected to a projector for presentations rather than sharing portable drives. Negligible argument at best.

Buy a laptop only if you don't mind spending the money, bring the laptop with you to many places (are a road warrior), and/or don't have a computer at home. There are many more reasons for & against that I might have overlooked.

Maybe in the near future I'll make a post on the criteria for buying a particular laptop when purchasing a laptop is the computer of choice.