From: MWOLFE@WVNVAXA.WVNET.EDU ("Michael D. Wolfe")
Date: 29 Dec 1994 11:09:10 GMT
Organization: West Virginia Network
Message-ID: <diabetes/software_788699321@rtfm.mit.edu>
Newsgroups: misc.health.diabetes,misc.answers,news.answers

Archive-name: diabetes/software
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 28 Nov 1994


        Information Technology Resources to Support Persons
                Involved with Diabetes


Copyright 1994 by Michael Wolfe. Re-use beyond the fair use provisions
of copyright law and convention requires the author's permission.


Introduction

There are now many information technology products that can help with diabetes
management. These include a variety of software and other on-line information
resources. Software is now available for meal planning and information
recording. In addition, for users of meters with memory and download features,
there is now software that can automatically download readings and display
them in more informative ways than the usual logbook.

Most of this review is about these programs to download data from Touch II
meters; however, I have started to add information about other software, as
well as other on-line information sources, both commercial providers and the
Internet. So far, I have found one ftp site and one Web site.

I also mention America Online and Compuserve. I haven't had time to check the
other commercial information providers, but Prodigy and some of the other
providers also have some resources to aid with diabetes management..

Basically, then, this article is divided into three parts:

I. Software to download and analyze blood glucose readings from home
   monitoring devices
II. Other software (nutritional databases, logbooks, etc.)
III. Other Electronic Information Resources


   Software to download and analyze blood glucose readings from home
                   monitoring devices

Many authors have written software (of varying degrees of sophistication) to
help with home diabetes management. The programs are available for many
machines and many operating systems. The majority of the programs are what I
would call "Electronic Logbooks," i.e., record-keeping programs which require
users to type in their blood glucose levels. Some of these electronic logbooks
also allow the entry of other data such as insulin, meals, exercise, etc. Many
of these programs may be found on America Online and Compuserve. Searching for
more programs on these services is discussed at the end of this review. At
least one program is available for free over the Internet, and one is available
for free from the meter manufacturer.

This section covers those packages that will download data from a meter. An
initial search turned up only a few readily available software programs.

The last of these works with the Glucometer(R) M and with the Glucometer(R)
M+; the other programs work with the Lifescan One Touch meter.

All these programs run in DOS or Windows on a standard PC. I have found no
"turn-key" Macintosh applications at this time; however, Mac users can download
to a Mac with a terminal emulator and chart the data with any charting program
(I use Excel and Delta Graph). Also (again in the interest of completeness) a
Macintosh program is under development and the user interface (with nothing
behind it) is available for perusal on Compuserve.

The Touch II programs are described first. The first two are free, the rest are
commercial products or shareware.

Finally, I have reproduced (without comment) a description of the software for
the Glucometer M/M+. This description was emailed to me by Chris Trippel

The programs are reviewed below.

------------------
Software for the Lifescan One Touch meters

1. UTILITY, the Lifescan-provided utility software

This is the most accessible program: Lifescan will provide this program at no
cost to U.S. users who call their 800 number on the back of the meter
(1-800-277-8862 US; 1-800-663-5521 Canada). Anyone wishing to download their
One Touch data must call this number for a cable. Lifescan will then send
the cable (which is required by all the other programs), and will also send a
copy of the program at no charge. It only took me about two weeks to get the
cable, but it took me about six weeks to get the software since it was out of
stock and had to be backordered. Other people report receiving the software
rather quickly, then having to wait for the cable.

Requirements: A PC running DOS. Lifescan will send you the necessary cable
and software.

Review: This program downloads a One Touch or Touch 2 meter to a PC. It does
not perform any analysis or graphing. The manual suggests that the data
may be analyzed with a spreadsheet and shows how the data looks when opened
into Microsoft Excel for Windows. Details on how to do this are not provided
in the manual. This is a very basic program, but may be all that some people
need. The downloaded data can be imported into some of the electronic
logbooks available.

One advantage to this program is that it works for most meter settings, since
it does not try to analyze the data. The user need know nothing about COM
ports or BAUD rates, the program automatically selects the correct settings.
It may not work if the language has been changed to anything other than English
or Spanish, and will not work if the meter has been used with the old Lifescan
Datamanager until the communications settings have been reset to the factory
settings. For most users, it will work with no problems, except for printing.
Instructions for printing have a typo, they should say:

PRINT/D:LPT1, (the manual says PRINT D:/LPT1, which is wrong).

In any case, users MUST call the number on the back of their meter in order
to get the cable that comes with the program. Excel, Lotus, or Quattro power
users may find that this program is all that they need.

2. TOUCH2 by Vic Abell

The second option, written by Victor A.  Abell, is described in the FAQ for
misc.health.diabetes. This  information is repeated below:

> My MS-DOS program, called TOUCH2, will possibly do what you want.
> It is available via anonymous ftp from vic.cc.purdue.edu in
> pub/touch2.zip or pub/touch2.tar.Z.
>
> If you do not have ftp access, you can get a copy of a TOUCH2
> distribution file by email by sending an email letter to:
>
> ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com
>
> In the body of the letter put:
>
> reply <your_email_address>
> connect vic.cc.purdue.edu anonymous <your_email_address>
> chunksize 100000
> binary
> uuencode
> get /pub/touch2.zip
> quit
>
> If you want touch2.tar.Z instead, put its name in place of touch2.zip
> in the "get" directive.  If you want btoa encoding instead of
> uuencoding, replace the "uuencode" line with "btoa".
>
> CAUTION: <your_email_address> MUST be RFC822-compliant -- e.g.,
> abe@cc.purdue.edu or 99999.9999@CompuServe.COM.
>
>
> Vic Abell <abe@cc.purdue.edu>
>

The program is also available on Compuserve, in the Diabetes forum. It may be
accessed by typing

GO DIABETES
Library: 9
Download: Touch2.zip


Review:

TOUCH2 is very easy to use. It downloads the data from the meter and
displays both the numeric glucose levels and a graph. It provides average
blood sugar readings, as well as average checkstrip and control readings.
It also allows users to set all the adjustments on their meters from their PC,
e.g., to turn the beep on or off, set for US or metric readings, etc.

Printing the graph is done with DOS characters, so it provides the basic
information, but does not look as attractive as a more sophisticated graphics
program. Users wishing nice graphs can import the data into a graphics
package.

For programmers, source code is available, so any desired feature can be added
by anyone with a C compiler.

One drawback is that users must have ftp and pkware, and know how to
use them. Users without ftp access to the internet must have a good email
package. This is "freeware", so limited support is available.

Another drawback is that this is a DOS program that may be incompatible with
Windows.  Based on one internet posting, some users have had trouble getting
the program to  work in a DOS window under Windows; however, I had no problems
getting the program to function in a DOS Window.

A final problem is that the program does not do a great deal more than the
Lifescan utility. My doctor found the output hard to interpret. She wanted
a program which graphs all fasting readings separately, all noon readings, etc.

Again, source is distributed, so programmers can add all these features, and
the program is free. The single graph, while disparaged by my doctor, did
provide her with enough information, just not in as accessible a form as she
would like.



Requirements:

This software runs on any DOS machine. It does not even require a hard
drive, since the program will fit on a single 360K floppy. The user
will, however, need the Lifescan cable, available for free by calling
the toll-free number on the back of the meter. The current version
is not guaranteed to work with Windows, although I have been able to
run it in a DOS Window.

For someone with ftp access, the zip file mentioned above requires PKUNZIP
version 2 or later. For someone without ftp access, the ftpmail version arrives
uuencoded in two parts. My mail package (Pegasus) cannot handle two-part
uuencoded files, so I was unable to use the ftpmailed version. Basically,
anyone who must use ftpmail is dependent on having a good email package on
their system. Vic Abell sent me a number of suggestions that I tried to get
the mailed version to work, for which I thank him; however, none of them worked
with my email package.

There is also a Unix (R) tar version.

The diabetic community owes Vic Abell a debt of thanks for writing this program
and making it freely available.

---------------
Aside: the above instructions for getting touch2 from vic.cc.purdue.edu apply
to getting software from ftp.demon.co.uk, as well as other ftp sites.

---------------


3. OTVIEW by Merritt Island Technologies

This program is shareware

Cost: $25.00, if download, $29.00 if disk is ordered by mail, $30.45
if ordered by credit card.

Available for downloading from ftp.demon.co.uk, Compuserve, and many local
bulletin boards, including their own SPACECON BBS (407) 459-0969. More
information can be obtained by writing to Tom.McKeever@mit.com
or to
TOM MCKEEVER
MERRITT ISLAND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
253 MERRITT SQUARE, SUITE 616
MERRITT ISLAND, FL 32952

Requirements:

Any PC with DOS 2.1 or later and a little over 200K of memory, i.e.,
almost any PC acquired in the last 5 years. It can run from Windows,
although it is a DOS program, and it supports a Mouse. To use the
graphics, an EGA or VGA graphics adapter is required. The PC must have
a modem port as well. Finally, the free cable obtained from Lifescan
with Utility is required. The program does not require a hard drive in
order to run: it will fit on a 360K floppy disk. Like TOUCH2, if
downloaded as a ZIP file, it does require PKUNZIP. If obtained by
ftpmail, the same problems mentioned in the TOUCH2 review may be
encountered.

Review: I found this program easier to install and use than TOUCH2,
and better documented; on the other hand, it costs $25 more than
Touch2. Like TOUCH2, OTVIEW provides basic downloading and graphics.
Unfortunately, my diabetologist does not find the output from any of
the above programs very useful: she needs Morning, Noon, Evening, and
Bedtime readings provided separately. I would probably use TOUCH2 or
UTILITY, both of which are free, rather than pay $25 for this program.

4. Diabetics Assistant by Douglas Williams

This program is shareware.

Cost: $30.00

Available for downloading from America Online, Compuserve, or by writing

Douglas A. Williams
13725 174th Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98052

This is available on ftp.demon.co.uk in 3 files.

Requirements:


Windows 3.1, Dos 3.3 or later, 286 processor, 2 MD RAM, 2.5 MB free hard drive
space, mouse or other pointing device.

Review: This is a nice Windows-based point and click program, but is written by
a red-blooded American for red-blooded Americans (:-). i.e., the program cannot
be configured to accept data from any meter that has been changed from
standard US settings. A cryptic error message ensues if the meter has been
changed to another language, MMOL, or European date formats. Baud rate cannot
be set in the program, but must be set on the meter to 9600. The meter cannot
be
configured at all from the program.

The program will take the data and produce a facsimile of a normal (i.e. paper)
logbook for users who prefer the old-style data display. Some doctors prefer
this format, and this program allows users to check their blood with their One
Touch, then generate the log book just before their scheduled visit to the
doctor. Color 3-D graphs are also available. The logbook will have readings for
fasting, noon, dinner, and bedtime.

The user can use the meter event codes for fasting, normal, bedtime, etc.
The program can then graph each event code separately.

This is shareware, and some users may experience difficulty.

My only real complaint with this program is that it is somewhat
difficult to install. As I mentioned above, it is only compatible with
the standard US settings on the Touch 2 meter. It also requires the
user to understand the SHARE utility.

My own experience was that, fifteen minutes before my scheduled appointment
with my doctor, I tried to download the readings from my meter,
and the program crashed my PC. The problem is that my PC was set up with
SHARE installed using the defaults. A message is provided if SHARE has
not been installed at all. Diabetics Assistant requires that SHARE
be installed with /L:500. Again, this is shareware, so users must carefully
read the install manual. Once properly installed, the program will satisfy
most users' requirements.

Apparently, Ian Preece has used this program with almost no problems (once he
changed his meter from European units to American units.)

(Thanks to Ed Reid for sending me a copy of this program to review.)
(Also note that Ian Preece is planning to put this on his anonymous ftp site.
He has also written a much more extensive review and posted it to the site.)

5. Biostore L

Cost: $49.95.
                Call 1-800-435-1992 (orders)
                     1-805-288-1301 (information only)

This will be reviewed in a future update.

6. Diastats 2.0


Cost $29.95 + 3.50 S&H


Call 1-800-252-7492

or write

Orchard Enterprises
P.O. Box 847
La Miranda, CA 90637


---------------
Software for Glucometer meters.

7. Glucofacts(R)+ Diabetes Management System software

This software works with the Glucometer M and M+ meters.

Cost:  $49.95.

Call: 1-800-348-8100.

I don't have a Glucometer M, so the following is a descriptions sent
to me by the manufacturer.

The following facts about the Glucofacts software were sent to me by Chris
Trippel. Mr. Trippel's information is reproduced here without comment.
-------------------------------cut here------------------------------

The following is a description of the Glucofacts(R)+ Diabetes Management
System software.

Miles Inc., Diagnostics Division developed the Glucofacts(R)+ Diabetes
Management System to collect data from Glucometer(R) M and
Glucometer(R) M+ Blood Glucose Meters, store the data in files, and
integrate this data into a complete series of useful statistical
reports and graphs which can be evaluated on-screen or via hard copy.

It is
     ... is easy to use.
     ...saves time.
     ...provides an efficient means for displaying meter data.
     ...provides an efficient means for maintaining cohesive and
     thorough Glucometer histories.

Notes: Glucofacts+ DMS runs in the DOS environment.
       The Glucofacts+ DMS version 2.01 ships on 3 1/2" disk only.
       There is no demo software.

       The price for the Glucofacts+ DMS version 2.01 is $49.95.
       The product code is 5044B.
       The Glucofacts+ DMS version 2.01 (5044B) can be ordered by
       calling 1-800-348-8100.  You will be asked to provide the serial
       number on your Glucometer M+/M.

For more information on data management products such as Glucofacts+ DMS
please contact:

Miles Inc. - 1-800-348-8100

Thank you for your interest in Glucofacts+ DMS.


Chris Trippel



=============End of Part I=================



II. Other Software Programs (Nutritional Databases, etc.)

----------------------
Commercial Logbooks (these programs track your data like paper logbooks,
but do not download from a meter). All track test results, insulin, and meals.

MedMaster

System: Windows
Cost: $59
Phone: 1-800-455-4GSC

Glucostat

System: Windows
Cost: $55+S&H
Phone: 1-800-774-4448


-------------------------
Food Databases

The MEALMATE.ZIP on ftp.demon.co.uk is a typical example of a shareware food
database. It has exchange equivalents for many common foods, and  a recipe
function that adds ingredients to compute the exchange equivalent of the
recipe.
It is a simple, easy to use program, although a cracker was listed as a meat
exchange, so, like all shareware, it is to be used at the user's risk.
The author requests donations of whatever the user thinks the program is worth.

A number of food databases are available from Nutrisoft for persons with heart
problem, obesity, etc. The one most relevant to this group is Diabetic
Nutrition. All these databases are available from Nutrisoft, P.O. Box 8226
Stanford, CA 94309. The cost is $39 per copy. The entire database includes
approximately 10,000 food items. Shareware versions may be obtained from
America
Online, Compuserve, ftp.cica.indiana.edu in /pub/pc/win3/misc/nsdn33.zip
(URL: ftp://ftp.cica.indiana.edu/pub/pc/win3/misc/nsdn33.zip) This has been
submitted to ftp.demon.co.uk as well, but is not yet available. These programs,
while distributed as
shareware, are commercial quality with a nice user interface and a large
database of food items. They also have nutritional information based on
current weight, activity level, etc. They can be reached by email at
NutriSoft@aol.com


================End of Part II=====================



Part III. Other Electronic Information Resources

FTP Site

Ian Preece has also set up an anonymous ftp site just for diabetes related
programs at ftp.demon.co.uk

He has an article about this site and how to use it in this newsgrous.
Readers with ftp or a good mail program can get software from this
site; as of September 1994, very few programs were available. I found a
meal planning program, MEALMATE.ZIP, a simple meter reading program,
OTVIEW.ZIP, and the Diabetic Assistant as of October 1994, but I expect many
other shareware and freeware programs will be posted here over the next few
weeks. A brief discussion of ftp and ftpmail is in the FAQ (general) by Ed
Reid, and is repeated below in the section on getting the Touch2 program by Vic
Abell.

Web Site

For those with a web viewer, the following URL has a great deal of diabetes
related information:

http://islet.medsch.wisc.edu

This is maintained by the University of Wisconsin Childrens Diabetes Center,
and includes connections to the American , the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation,
the Canadian Diabetes Association, and the British Diabetes Association.


Commercial Services

Software, discussion and support groups, and general information on diabetes
are available from America Online, Compuserve, and Prodigy. Compuserve
proabably has the most extensive collection of information, but is also the
most expensive (as of this writing) and I, personally, found it the most
difficult to use. Browing Diabetes Related information and downloading software
on America Online and Prodigy costs $3/hour. Compuserve costs about $4/hour.
All three are frequently changing rates and plans, so these rates may have
changed by now.

America Online

I find this the easiest to use. For example, for users who want to download
software, America Online has three versions: DOS, Windows, and Macintosh, and
each version has a file search tool which will find all programs for that
operating system by keyword. The "Diabetes" keyword will find about a dozen
programs, total.

There are three Mac programs. All are written in Hypercard,
and all are electronic logbooks that require manual data entry. One is a
day-by-day calendar for 1990, the second is the 1990 calendar updated for 1993,
and the third is yet another Hypercard stack for manually entering your
blood sugar readings, along with some general information on diabetes.

There are also four logbooks for windows and DOS: Control Diabetes, for
Windows,
a $29 shareware program from Nutrisoft, Blood Glucose Program, a freeware
program for DOS written with a dbase compiler (I'm not sure which one);
diabetic glucose monitor, a $5.00 Geos shareware program (I can't even read the
instructions without a copy of Geos); and sugar31, a $20.00+$2.00 shipping DOS
shareware program written in Clipper. (Thanks to Ed Reid who sent me copies of
these programs to review.)


Compuserve.

A large library of programs is available on Compuserve, but I, personally, had
difficult finding and downloading them. Compuserve has two tools, IBMFF and
MACFF which search some of the forums for programs for the appropriate
operating system, but the diabetes forums are not searched by these software
searching tools, so only about four programs (none very useful) turn up in an
IBMFF or MACFF search. Searching is somewhat easier with a navigator program
such as CIM. Without the CIM, Compuserve is rather user-hostile, and even with
the CIM, Compuserve can be difficult to use to find relevant Diabetes
information and software.

In addition to the America Online programs, one interesting program I only
found on Compuserve is Fast Monitor. This is written as Windows DLL files which
are accessed via an Excel macro. While I found this interesting (and at
least one person on the Compuserve forum really likes it, I couldn't get this
to work.

For those who get this program to work, Compuserve also has a macro that is an
add-on to FastMonitor, called Arrange, which has been recommended as a very
useful add-on to FastMonitor.

Compuserve has several other programs for downloading, as well as logbooks.

Future reviews will include these programs.


