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Use
a Smartphone in place of your PC or laptop. 1. Portable Applications that
you can control To see how to use your handheld like a professional, send
an email with "ebook" in the subject to receive a free version of the
ebook at: ebook@robertlett.com To subscribe to this newsletter, email use at: subscribe@robertlett.com
Portable Applications that you can control
By Chuck Schwartz There’s a history of success stories for large companies fielding mobile applications on handheld computing devices. Whether helping track packages, placing orders or taking inventories enterprises have save millions of dollars each year by putting computing power directly into the hands of their mobile workers. Unfortunately the same results have never been translated
down to smaller organizations or work groups.
The number one reason for this – mobility software systems are largely
custom applications, created to meet specific tasks on a one up basis.
This is fine when you are deploying hundreds or thousands of handhelds.
There is an economy of scale that reduces the cost per individual
handheld to a very manageable level. But
when translated to smaller deployment counts something happens. Since the cost for software doesn’t change based around the
number of handhelds deployed, Return on Investment gets skewed, paybacks become
too long and projects don’t get done. An emerging trend is to employ software generation tools
for handheld computers that are easy enough to be used by non-programmers.
This allows organizations to take control of their own applications.
Typically these systems are forms replacement systems.
The forms paradigm makes a lot of sense in these environments since the
work being replaced onto the handheld computer likely started as field forms on
a clipboard. One of these products,
Portable Forms™ by Rovenet, is especially suited for these roles as it can
take existing paperwork and turn it into data applications for handheld
computers and smartphones in minutes. Using patent pending “On-Demand Programming”
technology, Portable Forms users take existing forms in editors like Microsoft
Word and add simple intelligence. This
template document is then run through a web application that converts it into
application code for Palm OS and PocketPC devices that connect and receive it
wirelessly or during HotSync operations. Users
then go out into the field and collect their information.
Once a work cycle is complete they reconnect to the Internet and Portable
Forms delivers their information as emails, web delivery, databases, faxes and
other means. Using Portable Forms enterprises with as few as one field
worker have seen Return on Investment paybacks of a few months, often even
weeks. To learn more about this
amazing product go to www.portableforms.com To see how to use your handheld like a professional, send
an email with "ebook" in the subject to receive a free version of the
ebook at: ebook@robertlett.com To subscribe to this newsletter, email use at: subscribe@robertlett.com
Hang Gliding:
Zero
to 5000 feet in 3 steps! With any type of flight, you must log your times and
locations for upgrades to your license. With all the flight log programs, you'll
have to look at each one and see which you might like to use. One of the one I
use is real basic but it allows you to connect to your existing Palm Address
Book to log your flying buddies. The really nice feature of these programs is
that it allows you to see all the flights you've taken from a particular
location, or all flights you have had in the last year where you broke 10,000
feet. It also allows you to analysis where you might seem to be having your best
flights from. (This way, if you're feeling down, just go back to the place where
you keep having your best flights, and you are almost guarantied to have a great
day)! Most of these programs are for private pilot and beyond flight logging.
But they work really well for Hang Gliding, Paragliding, or any other type of
sport flying. The last time I was PIC (Pilot In Command) of a motorized aircraft
was a C172 in 1987, this was the year I found Hang Gliding, and I've never
looked back! Timing
of each flight is important. The clock programs usually have a stopwatch
feature, they will either allow for counting up or down depending on what you
want. Some of the flight log programs also have this feature. With the flight
log programs, when you stop the clock, it automatically adds it to the flight
log. You can always edit it later if you let the time run too long. Another
nice thing about using the clock programs is that you should be able to time
more than one thing at a time. Most clock programs will allow you to name your
timers. This will allow you to time yourself along with 3 or 4 of your flying
buddies. You can even set all the timers to start simultaneously. So after
you've named them, just one click and they all start. The only problem with this
is you almost have to land first to be able to stop the timers for your buddies.
I've dropped my Smartphone quiet a few times, but that's only from about 4 to 5
feet at most, and so far, it's survived each drop. I don't think any Smartphone
out there was meant to survive a 7000-foot drop. (I haven't tried this yet)! I
don't suggest you try it either. I have a funny, non-fuzzy feeling it won't make
it. The
ParaPhone: I have tried to design a small parachute for my Smartphone. But I
haven't yet had the guts to actually give it a try. I guess I'm just chicken! I
would also need a beacon of some kind to locate the phone in the middle of the
woods, or where ever it lands after leaving the comfort of my Hang Glider
harness. More on this later - watch www.robertlett.com for updates. *************
************* To see how to use your handheld like a professional, send
an email with "ebook" in the subject to receive a free version of the
ebook at: ebook@robertlett.com Subscribe to this free Newsletter
email me at: subscribe@robertlett.com An Individual Armed with Information
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