Terror Alerts via Handheld Computers

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2880985.stm' target='_blank'>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2880985.stm</a><br /><br /></div>"The US Government is to issue bioterror alerts to doctors via handheld computers. The Department of Health and Human Services will test the DocAlert system with more than 700,000 front-line clinicians, around 40% of doctors in the US. The project will run on e-Pocrates, a nationwide network of handheld computers for doctors. Test messages will contain a memo on the highest threats from biological terrorist attacks, including anthrax, botulism, plague, smallpox and Ebola."<br /><br />Look at that photo they use in the article - I think that's the first stock photo I've seen that has the Pocket PC OS in it!

[Don Tolson]

I read this article a couple of days ago on Yahoo -- Technology. They're using a system called Epocrates. Unfortunately, the company only produces a Palm OS product at the moment and as far as I can tell, the pilot is for the Palm. (According to the company's web site -- www.epocrates.com. I think, as Jason said, the Pocket PC picture shown is simply that, a stock shot.

Their website does say that there is a Pocket PC version of Epocrates coming out soon, and I did read here(?) that the company is looking for med students/doctors to help out with beta testing of their Pocket PC product.

[Jason Dunn]

Yes, there is a Pocket PC version of epocrates in beta right now. :D

[acronym]

700,000 pocket pcs to people who are usually 2 steps away from a computer? Are all these going to be connected via wireless? our bluesocket devices currently won't work with ppc, how many others are in the same boat? I really don't see the advantage here.

my cynical side sees a brother/nephew of a politician making out somehow here.