X-Message-Number: 27889 From: "Hare, Tim R" <> Subject: RE: [CN] Maximizing the health of the aging brain Date: Mon, 1 May 2006 17:38:45 -0400 "However I am sure that we on CryoNet will all be interested in how Mr and Mrs Hare get on with using the product, and whether they consider their money well spent. The cost, although very high for a piece of domestic or gaming software, is comparable with buying vitamins on a regular basis, for example." I'll keep you posted. As noted, we'll be comparing three products (at minimum) noted in the original full email, and the inexpensive web-based offerings (www.mybraintrainer.com) are likely to offer some cognitive gains, I would think, based upon the literature in this area. As well, if one already has a Nintendo-DS (or if one can *coax it away* from the kidling) the cost for the Brainage software is only ca. $40 and it's likely to be as stimulating at the web-based service above, if not more so, in net, since it's mobile and can be used more often as a consequence, depending on lifestyle. I enjoy it and find it addictive. In fact, I seem to recall some indication that the sort of video games we all played as youngsters (Atari, or arcade) may be good for us now, and you can buy these for as little as $10 for a complete bundle packet of all our old arcade favorites....a sweat deal, in my view. However, the Brainage is unique in that it sets up ongoing "cognitive dissonance", which offers the promise of lack of quick entrainment on the part of the user, and so ongoing cognitive effort. A final comment: the customer service numbers on the http://www.positscience.com receipt(should you choose to buy) are wrong (!), and you should call 800-514-3975 with any questions. Also, the email address one should use is [], not the one in the receipt...not working, but they are testing. As well, one *might* get the impression that there is a continuing fee for access (full activation) of the software (this from the literature that comes with it, in my opinion) -- there is *not*, I was just told. So, it's a one-time fee for unlimited use of whatever is included. I used it last night for the first time, and it was fun, but too little info gleaned as yet to assess it's likely worth, so I'll update again in ca. 40 sessions (about 1.5 months). Feel free to drop me a line at my email below if you want an update before then. Cheers! T- Timothy R. Hare Automated Biotechnology (952) Bld NW-2, 503 Louise Lane, North Wales, PA 19454 Merck E-mail: <mailto:> Voice: (267) 305-3235 Mobile (267) 984-7136 FAX: (267) 305-0182 -----Original Message----- From: CryoNet F [mailto:] On Behalf Of John de Rivaz Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 7:28 AM To: CryoNet F Subject: Re: [CN] Maximizing the health of the aging brain I took a look at http://www.positscience.com/programs/buy.php and would suggest that anyone interested read this page first and decide whether to spend any more time on the rest of their web site http://www.positscience.com A good idea of the product's nature can be obtained from http://www.positscience.com/programs/tour.php . I thought that the video that is also available on the site is very much sales orientated and less informative. Note that this program costs more than many PCs on which it may run. It will not run on older PCs, and also if more than one person uses it, higher prices have to be paid. I suspect that this is built into the program because it needs to record each user's progress as difficulty levels increase, and you can't just illegally ignore the terms and conditions. On the plus side, there are lots of extras in the pack, such as stereo headphones, a DVD and so on. As the system is based on listening, it may be important that the sound is accurate, but then this also depends on the audio side of the PC, not just the headphones. It is also a pity that there is no downloadable version (that I could see) as this avoids high postage charges and import taxes for foreign buyers. Companies that respect customers' money often offer downloadable versions of their software as buying this way can make an appreciable difference to the total outlay. This is because postage, taxes and associated compliance fees can nearly double the cost in some instances of physical delivery. I would suspect that over the coming year many more similar products will appear and by this time next year there will be a much wider choice of products at varying price levels and with different ranges of luxury accessories. This looks to be a high volume market and a type of application that most people will hear about. This type of product should certainly sell in the sort of volume as popular computer games and will appear in versions for dedicated games machines. As usual, early adopters will pay a lot more than average. I suspect that Positscience have set up a well organised and structured business, maybe with a view to a stock market floatation in the future. Thus they have a lot of professional fees to recover before they start to earn profits. However I am sure that we on CryoNet will all be interested in how Mr and Mrs Hare get on with using the product, and whether they consider their money well spent. The cost, although very high for a piece of domestic or gaming software, is comparable with buying vitamins on a regular basis, for example. -- Sincerely, John de Rivaz: http://John.deRivaz.com for websites including Cryonics Europe, Longevity Report, The Venturists, Porthtowan, Alec Harley Reeves - inventor, Arthur Bowker - potter, de Rivaz genealogy, Nomad .. and more > Subject: FW: [CR] Maximizing the health of the aging brain > Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2006 15:53:40 -0400 > > My wife and I have purchased the Positscience product and I'll report back > on that at some stage, Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=27882 ############################################################# This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to the mailing list <>. To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <> To switch to the INDEX mode, E-mail to <> Send administrative queries to <> Notice: This e-mail message, together with any attachments, contains information of Merck & Co., Inc. (One Merck Drive, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA 08889), and/or its affiliates (which may be known outside the United States as Merck Frosst, Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD and in Japan, as Banyu) that may be confidential, proprietary copyrighted and/or legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity named on this message. If you are not the intended recipient, and have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and then delete it from your system. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=27889