In The Palm of Your Hand New Technology for Commercial Arborists David V. Bloniarz USDA Forest Service, Northeast Center for Urban & Community Forestry

What is a PDA?  Hand-held computer  Store, access, and organize information  Can be Windows-based (Pocket PC) or  Can be Palm operating system (Palm PDA)  PDAs can be screen- based or keyboard- based

Common Applications  Personal Information Management Store and retrieve addresses and phone numbers Store and retrieve addresses and phone numbers Maintain a calendar Maintain a calendar Create to-do lists and notes Create to-do lists and notes  Software Applications Databases Databases Word processing Word processing Spreadsheets Spreadsheets & Internet access & Internet access

Common PDA Applications

Synchronization  Exchange information with a desktop or laptop computer  PDAs come with cables or docking stations to connect them to your desktop or notebook computer  For wireless and Internet access available for a fee

Synchronization Via Synchronization Cradle Wireless

Screen Display  Monochrome or gray- scale  Color 256 to 64,000 colors  Screen size will vary among PDAs  Larger screen means more readable space  Active matrix – Better display  Passive matrix – Uses less battery power

Color vs.. B&W

PDA Power  Permanent rechargeable batteries  Standard alkaline batteries  Removable rechargeable batteries  Length of service varies on the PDA  Recharge time may also vary depending on the battery  You can use the PDA while the battery is recharging

PDA Power  Rechargeable a good option  Car adaptor kits are available for some units

Memory  Typically 2MB to 64MB of built-in memory  Two MB of memory is generally sufficient to fill address books, maintain an active calendar, take notes, and load useful programs  More memory may be needed to store large files like digital photos, databases, or large software programs  You can expand memory of some PDAs with small storage cards that can be inserted into the PDA

Increased Memory  Expansion Cards  Inexpensive  Expanded storage and field database access

Hardware & Software Options for PDA’s  Palm OS Palm Pilot PDA Palm Pilot PDA  Windows Pocket PC OS Pocket PC Pocket PC

Palm Pilot PDA vs. Pocket PC Palm OS devices work best basic contact management, the Palm OS PDAs are generally smaller, cheaper, lighter and have vastly better battery life Pocket PC units have flashier color screens and more multimedia capability, but are more expensive and have short battery life

Palm Pilot PDA Manufacturers  Palm OS – Palm Pilot PDA Palm Pilot Palm Pilot Sony Clie Sony Clie Handspring Visor Handspring Visor

Palm Pilot PDA Costs  Prices vary depending on features  Range from $99 - $400 +/-  Quality unit for basic Urban Forestry can be found for $100- $150.

Pocket PC Manufacturers  Windows Pocket PC Compaq I-Paq Compaq I-Paq HP Jornada HP Jornada IBM WorkPad IBM WorkPad

Pocket PC Costs  Variable, based on features  Lowest priced units $200 +/-  Basic Urban Forestry tasks – Expect to pay $  Used units are an option

Which Platform for You?  What will the PDA be used for? Calendar, Notes, Contacts, etc. Calendar, Notes, Contacts, etc. Data collection Data collection In the field GIS In the field GIS GPS integration GPS integration  Who will be using the unit? Single user Single user Field crews Field crews Loaned to volunteers, staff, etc. Loaned to volunteers, staff, etc.

Which Platform for You  Do you, or your staff have any computer expertise?  Do you, or staff have any programming experience?  What is your budget?

GPS Compatibility

GPS/GIS/Mapping  Mapping software commercially or via web

GPS-PDA Integrated Units  Garmin I-Que for Palm  Palm PDA  Voice recorder

ArcPad GIS Pocket PC Software  Provides database access, mapping, GIS, and global positioning system (GPS)  GIS Mapping Capability  Full mobility

ArcPad GIS  Extract, convert, and project your existing data using ArcGIS Desktop or ArcView 3.x.

Very Important Tools

Using a PDA in the Field: Three Affordable.. and useful programs for Palm OS  Documents To Go Bring Word, Excel and Power point into the Field Bring Word, Excel and Power point into the Field  Pendragon Forms Software Database development software available for about $150. Database development software available for about $150.  Mobile Community Tree Inventory (MCTI) System Freeware tree inventory software Freeware tree inventory software Uses Palm OS and Windows platforms Uses Palm OS and Windows platforms

 Seamless transfer of documents from Windows desktop computer to Palm PDA  Enables editing on PDA  Fully functional programs on PDA

Documents To Go

Pendragon Forms  Create handheld data collection forms for any Palm OS device without programming.  Improve productivity and lower the cost of gathering and analyzing information  No programming experience needed  Synchronizes with MS Access or Excel

Pendragon Forms Design form on PC Use form on PDA

Pendragon Forms Inventory Templates on the Web Can be used for variety of inventory applications - street, park, golf course, etc. Can be used for variety of inventory applications - street, park, golf course, etc. Tree Condition & Management Needs Tree Condition & Management Needs Hazard Assessment Hazard Assessment Available for free download Available for free download

Pendragon Templates Inventory, Hazard, Valuation, & Damage Inventory, Hazard, Valuation, & Damage

The Mobile Community Tree Inventory System (MCTI)

MCTI Inventory System  Variable level of applicability From paper to PDA implementation From paper to PDA implementation  Variable inventory protocols Maintenance Maintenance Hazard tree Hazard tree Utility Utility  Easy to use  Inexpensive … it’s freeware

Web Based Distribution

Getting Started with MCTI  Requires a PC (Windows 95 or newer)  Requires PDA running Palm OS i.e., Palm Pilot, Handspring, Sony - $100-$450 i.e., Palm Pilot, Handspring, Sony - $100-$450  Install MCTI Palm Software Available via free, Internet download at the following internet site - Available via free, Internet download at the following internet site  Data collection via PDA in the field and download to PC via Palm Synchronization

Customizing MCTI  List of individual surveyors  Choose selected Tree Species for your town  Enter community ID (each town has a unique identifier number)

Computer Desktop Data Entry Screen

Computer Desktop Recap Screen

PDA Log In Screen

PDA Data Entry Screen

PDA Search Screen

Desktop Search Screen

Using a PDA in the Field: Affordable.. and useful programs for Pocket PCs  Microsoft Applications Pocket Word Pocket Word Pocket Excel Pocket Excel  HandBase Database development from $40 - $200 Database development from $40 - $200 Easy to use Easy to use No programming experience No programming experience  Visual CE Database development software available for about $50. Database development software available for about $50. Easy to use Easy to use

Using a PDA in the Field: Affordable.. and useful programs for Pocket PCs  Hazard Tree Rating Calculator and Database Syncs with Excel or Access Syncs with Excel or Access Based on 12 Point Rating System Based on 12 Point Rating System  Miscellaneous Programs and Utilities Auto Log Auto Log Expense Report Expense Report Checking Register Checking Register Lock Box Lock Box

Pocket PC Programs

HandBase Forms  No programming required  Create forms for download to Access & Excel

HandBase Forms  Download Freeware Templates

Visual CE for Pocket PC  Create data collection forms  Bring database into the field

Hazard Tree Calculator & Database

Other Applications

For More Information  Contact: Dave Bloniarz, USDA Forest Service  Web site   PDA references from this presentation

In The Palm of Your Hand New Technology for Commercial Arborists David V. Bloniarz USDA Forest Service, Northeast Center for Urban & Community Forestry