Toast Your Bagel, Not Your Legs

Do you spend hours working with your laptop propped up on your lap? If so, you may be putting your legs at risk to what medical experts call “toasted skin syndrome” (TSS), a potentially-permanent skin condition caused by long term heat exposure. The condition can also be caused by prolonged use of heating pads, hot water bottles, and other heat sources placed on skin for long periods of time, which generally are not hot enough to cause burns but still have the potential to cause permanent skin darkening, and in rare cases, damage leading to skin cancer.

The medical journal Pediatrics reported a recent case in which a 12-year-old boy developed a sponge-pattered skin discoloration on his left thigh after playing video games for a few hours a day for several months. Another case involved a Virginia law student who spent six hours a day working with her laptop propped up on her lap. She experienced the same skin discoloration, with the temperature underneath the laptop registering as high as 125 degrees.

According to Swiss researchers at University Hospital Basel, there are no known cases of skin cancer attributed to laptop use but still recommend that users place something, such as a laptop case, to shield their legs from heat produced by the laptop. Additionally, user manuals of major laptop manufacturers typically warn users against placing laptops on laps or exposed skin for long periods of time.

More information on TSS can be found in the articles referenced below.

3D Corporation has a network management plan for every budget and every need. To find out how 3D can fulfill your business’ network technology needs, please call us at (360) 671-4906, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/.

References: “Laptops lead to 'toasted skin syndrome'”, msnbc.com; “'Toasted Skin Syndrome' Warning For Laptop Users”, newyork.cbslocal.com

3D hires to expand Client Services and Network Engineering

Network management firm 3D Corporation is pleased to announce the hiring of Anthony Esposito as Technical Analyst and Jason Tosland as Network Technician.

As 3D’s Technical Analyst, Anthony acts as a liaison between 3D’s Client Services and Engineering Teams to provide 3D’s clients with a comprehensive combination of sales and engineering support. Anthony’s primary responsibilities include facilitating technology assessments, planning and design as well as assisting both teams with many other customer service and technical support functions. Anthony’s vast experience providing IT consulting, network engineering and account management for clients with as many as 500 users as well as his background in implementing a wide variety of network products and services bring a unique balance of customer service and engineering expertise to 3D.

Jason’s responsibilities as a Network Technician involve network monitoring, troubleshooting and problem resolution as well as configuring and implementing best-in-class business technology products. Jason’s diverse experience in remote and onsite network maintenance and technical support as well as his Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist and Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure certifications make him a valuable asset to 3D’s Engineering Team.

3D is happy to have Anthony and Jason as members of our team and is always looking for talented individuals like them to join. We are currently hiring, so to find out more about how to become part of the 3D team, visit the Careers page of our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/careers.html.

Microsoft Issues 16 Security Bulletins to Fix over 45 Vulnerabilities

Microsoft has released 16 new security bulletins describing over 45 vulnerabilities ranging from moderate to critical in their severity. The vulnerabilities affect all current versions of Windows; Microsoft .NET Framework; Microsoft Office for Windows and Mac, specifically Word and Excel; Internet Explorer; and Microsoft SharePoint and Windows SharePoint Services. There are multiple ways attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities, and the impact of exploitation can allow elevation of privilege or remote code execution, which ultimately could enable the attacker to gain complete control of the user’s computer.

3D Corporation will automatically test and deploy security patches on the networks of our 3DProActive™ Managed and Partner clients to eliminate the risks posed by these vulnerabilities. Other Microsoft Office, Windows, Internet Explorer and SharePoint users should download and install the appropriate patches immediately to avoid possible exploitation of their computer and/or computer networks. More information regarding these vulnerabilities and their impact can be found at Microsoft’s Security Bulletin Summary for October 2010.

3D provides up-to-date security solutions that can protect businesses from threats like these automatically. If you would like additional information on how we can make your network worry-free, please visit our website at http://www.3dcorp.us/, email us at info@3dcorp.us, or call our office at (360) 671-4906.

References: WatchGuard’s LiveSecurity Service Updates Released October 12, 2010; Microsoft’s Security Bulletin Summary for October 2010

Bellingham Smile Care and Sleep Center Celebrates 25 Years with New Name and Coat Drive

One of 3D’s valued clients, formerly Bellingham Smiles Dental Care, has changed its name to Bellingham Smile Care and Sleep Center to include the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Jeffrey Prager, owner, and his staff have completed advanced training in dental sleep medicine and can now provide sleep apnea screening to determine if patients will benefit from an FDA approved, custom-fitted oral appliance.

Bellingham Smile Care and Sleep Center continues to offer dental care and is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a warm coat drive for Agape House, Blue Skies for Children and Lighthouse Mission Ministries. 3D congratulates Bellingham Smile Care and Sleep Center on their ‘quarter of a century’ milestone and wishes them continued success in the years ahead! We would also like to encourage community members to stop by their office at 1420 King St., Suite B to donate a coat and help keep our community warm!

For more information on Bellingham Smile Care and Sleep Center, please check out the Bellingham Herald’s article “Bellingham dentist adds services to treat sleep apnea”, call (360) 671-4552, or visit http://www.bellinghamsmiles.com/.