[OSGeo-Discuss] Mobile GPS data collection...

[map it out]

I've developed on the Win CE PDAs for a few years and have been developing
applications on ruggedized tablets for the last year using commercial and os
software, but there is still a demand for PDAs or at least that's what I
perceive as Mateusz has pointed out.  Cross platform is definitely what I have
in mind.  Customers are still buying rugged or semi-rugged handhelds as
opposed to ruggedized tablets, depends on the needs of the customer.
Thanks for your info Mateusz and your point of view Gary.  

David E.

On Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:36:23 +0200, Mateusz Loskot wrote
> Gary Lang wrote:
> > The UI is the most important thing, agreed.
> > 
> > The most important thing in our UIs is the Map. It's hard to have a 
> > useful UI for a map to replace paper on a device that is 1/8 the size
> >  of the paper.
> 
> I agree but ergonomic usage of mobile GIS on PDA-size device
> requires change of work-style which should be supported by the
> application. For example, when GPS is on and user is collecting 
> points, the scale automatically switches to 1:500 or max 1:1000 
> (configurable in settings). Number of tapping required to complete a 
> task should be minimized, as I said using hardware keys is better, 
> also instead of displaying message boxes which require user to tap 
> yes/no, the application may ask using voice capabilities of a device 
> and user can accept/cancel with hardware keys. Snapping, 
> ring/polygon closing, layers autosave should be automated but configurable.
> 
> I just want to say that if there is an option between PDA or nothing,
> we've choosed PDA and tried to make it as usable as possible.
> 
> > And, the economics of CE that drove its creatuion 10 years ago are 
> > not the same today. A useful iPaq is $600 and a useful - some would 
> > say more useful - laptop $700.
> 
> I can't imagine surveying in forest with laptop, but I can with 
> Tablet PC. There were many attempts and devices tests taken by 
> polish forestry officers  and laptop was found as unusable in field 
> (works 2-3 hours, heavy, damage prone with water and sand, difficult 
> to hold it and work on it together). The only option with bigger 
> screen I see is rugged Tablet PC.
> 
> Best regards
> -- 
> Mateusz Loskot
> http://mateusz.loskot.net
> 
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