How do you enter data on site?

[relliott]

Jeff ..I sometimes load 100 pics into a report.
I then add comments underneath them which point out the specific defects.
How long would this take on the PDA program.?

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by relliott

Jeff ..I sometimes load 100 pics into a report.
I then add comments underneath them which point out the specific defects.
How long would this take on the PDA program.?

Actually Bob it takes no time at all if you tap a picture button on the PDA each time you take a picture with your camera. What happens is that when you insert your media into the handheld with the pictures it already knows where the pictures go and they are embedded in the body of the report right by the findings you selected during the inspection. There is no need to do any importing or annotation of the pictures. The only thing it won't do is draw arrows or circles for you on the pictures themselves.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

Dominic,
FYI: You can write the software so that it will run on both the PocketPC and PC using the same source code. Visual Studio lets you do this. The only thing we need to change is a couple screens for the PDA version otherwise all the rest of the code is shared. If you start on the PDA first and THEN create the PC version it is much easier....trying to do it the other way is much more difficult. Our software looks the same on a PC as it does on a PocketPC....it is just the PC version has a bigger screen...so the layouts are bigger.
The trick is to write the user interface so that the screen layouts can grow dynamically based on how big the hardware screen is that is running it. A good example would be instead of creating a bunch of tabs for each Category at the top of the window which would work nice for a big screen...but horrible for a small screen... you instead use a scrollable list of the Categories and when you select the Category it opens into that Category. This then uses the full screen very effectively...one of 3Ds first PocketPC versions had numerous tabs on the top which covered over half the PDA screen which made it impossible to enter any data once you brought up the onscreen keyboard. An example of trying to replicate the interface of their PC version.

Jeff

That's a nice option with Visual Studio to be able to use the same code. Since I'm programming in Java, I can cross from Mac, Windows & Linux easily but Windows Mobile only runs a subset of the full version of java called J2ME. Some of the CE devices though are supposed to start running the full version of Java, we'll see.

[Linas I. Dapkus]

Why the big push for the PDA???

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Originally Posted by ldapkus

Why the big push for the PDA???

Who is pushing?

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Ok, I want to know who uses the typewriter, I want pics as proof!

[Ian A. Niquette]

I go with the voice recorder and camera. Seems to work pretty good. I updated to this after my typewriter started to hurt my neck!!

[Jeff Knight]

As I said before...UMPCs are nothing new...here is one from quite a few years ago...

http://www.computercloset.org/DauphinDTR1.htm

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

As I said before...UMPCs are nothing new...here is one from quite a few years ago...

http://www.computercloset.org/DauphinDTR1.htm

Wow , 4 megs of ram. I remember those days. I remember booting from floppy as there was no hard drive. Crazy how far we've come in 15 years.

[Charles J. Yezza]

Originally Posted by dmaricic

Hi Chuck,

First, I wanted to say thanks. Your friend Tony Perry purchased Home Inspector Pro yesterday after seeing it on your website. I talked to him for about half hour, really nice guy.

I probably wont create a PDA version. My personal opinion is that the ultra compact tablets that are now coming out with 5-7" screens are better for inputting than PDA's, though I know some disagree with me. I've referred a few guys who wanted to get PDA's to get these new tablets or UMPC's and they love them. Since they run full Windows XP or Vista I can use the same software program which means more development time into one program rather than spread across multiple programs to maintain. This keeps my costs way down. If I made a PDA program I'd have twice as much to maintain and would have to hire more people.

I tried a PDA test about a year ago but it just goes against the grain of how the program is designed, which is to see everything at once, minimize all clicks and keyboard usage and easily import and annotate photos. I'll leave the PDA software to the other guys.

I'll have to talk to Tony and see how he likes it. I Like the PdA but do have a tablet. I used the toughbook when I do FEMA Inspections and it worked great. I do like your software but really like uising the PDA Decisions decisions

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Sure, I'd give him some time to play with it as he just bought it but he sounded excited. You really need to use what you feel the most comfortable with. If you love your PDA, stick with it. If you want to ours out then load it on your tablet and play around. If you want a temporary license let me know.

[Charles J. Yezza]

Check out his website http://www.apshomeinspection.com/

[Dominic J. Maricic]

He showed it to me when we talked. He was asking me about what SEO modifications to make and I gave him a few suggestions. He has a great looking site too! I told him he did a great job, especially since he did it from scratch. He's got a lot of the SEO tips already in place (Which is why he ranks #1 in so many places).

[Charles J. Yezza]

Yeah he's helped me out as well we try and stay out of each others areas and refer each other out when needed. Great individual

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

Dominic,
George is using the PDA to do his data collection....and as I said before...you do NOT need a full Windows machine to do simple data collection. He is using it in place of a clipboard and form...or voice recorder to eliminate the process of rekeying data.

Jeff

Yes, George is using Inspectvue with his PDA and Laptop. So first you format the report in your laptop, then transfer (sync) it to the PDA. Then you walk around with the PDA and click on what you want to enter, if something is out of the ordinary and you have incredibly small dextorous fingers you eaisly enter the new data, if not wellllllll. After you are done you transfer the info back to the laptop to enter the pictures.

Quite tedious if you ask me.