When people suffer from chronic or long-lasting diseases life hangs by a thread. Patients remain under constant monitoring and medical supervision while they slowly recover from illnesses like congestive heart failure (CHF), a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Traditionally, this monitoring confined sufferers to an uncomfortable hospital environment surrounded by other threatening diseases. But recent advances in wireless communication technology may soon allow for remote monitoring. Aside from improving patient comfort, “telehealth” may reduce healthcare costs. Telehealth is projected to be a $5 billion industry by 2010.

Apple's new iPod lineup. From left to right, the iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle.

The new iPod nano model introduced by Apple on Sept. 9. (Courtesy Apple, Inc.)

Were you planning on doing something important on Monday, Oct. 5? Well now you are. I am demanding that each and every one of you who reads this column take part in No Shuffle Day.

It’s exactly what you think. Refraining from shuffling or randomly playing the songs on your iPod for an entire day. Instead, listen to full albums from start to finish. Do you think you can do it?

It’s a much harder challenge than one might imagine. I came across the website for No Shuffle Day (noshuffleday.com) last month. The group encourages music listeners to avoid shuffling on the first Monday of every month. So on the first Monday of last month, Sep. 7, I tried to commit 100 percent to a 24-hour block of shuffle free music. I failed miserably.