How do you enter data on site?

[cyezza]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

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.

It's not that tedious, I have alot of notes, so usually it is one click

[Barry Adair]

Originally Posted by dmaricic

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

I posted the one of my buddy, Charley, here it is again and here's a video of Jerry
I heard this chick was looking to become an office "intern" I'll conduct an interview with the bride's permission???
Note the additional back-up support required...draggin that tree everywhere she goes may become a space issue around here

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

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.

Brian,
It is not tedious at all....in fact the more they use it and modify the comments to what they run into the quicker it becomes and it completely avoids the "tedious" task of having to reenter all that data back at the office or on a laptop in the kitchen and then import all your pictures and then annotate each picture.

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Originally Posted by badair

I posted the one of my buddy, Charley, here it is again and here's a video of Jerry
I heard this chick was looking to become an office "intern" I'll conduct an interview with the bride's permission???
Note the additional back-up support required...draggin that tree everywhere she goes may become a space issue around here

Damn It's got to be hard to walk without falling over with either of those. I think you're right about staying close to a tree for support.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

Brian,
It is not tedious at all....in fact the more they use it and modify the comments to what they run into the quicker it becomes and it completely avoids the "tedious" task of having to reenter all that data back at the office or on a laptop in the kitchen and then import all your pictures and then annotate each picture.

Wrong-o-reindeer, I enter the info one time in the laptop, review the entire report on a 15.4" screen with the clients, print it, and go home.

[cgoyette]

I carry a typewriter on a board attached to a neck strap as I walk around


I was going to bet it was Barry but he fessed up....His humor is like a badge of honor...real easy to spot. Can you say WARPPED?

Curt

[Dominic J. Maricic]

I put that option there just FOR Barry. I expected his self portrait carrying around his nice 19" CRT to appear.

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

Wrong-o-reindeer, I enter the info one time in the laptop, review the entire report on a 15.4" screen with the clients, print it, and go home.

Brain,
Then what are you doing as you are walking around doing your inspection ? Are you writing it down on a piece of paper or a form or are you taking pictues or recording it in on a voice recorder or are you going strictly by memory ?

Jeff

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

Brain,
Then what are you doing as you are walking around doing your inspection ? Are you writing it down on a piece of paper or a form or are you taking pictues or recording it in on a voice recorder or are you going strictly by memory ?

Jeff

My advice...Never do inspections by memory. With all the talking going on (I do..anyways) you are bound to forget something.

I scribble everything down on a pocket pad as I walk around. That way you'll never have to send an addendum to your client at a later date.

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by dvalley

My advice...Never do inspections by memory. With all the talking going on (I do..anyways) you are bound to forget something.

I scribble everything down on a pocket pad as I walk around. That way you'll never have to send an addendum to your client at a later date.

David,
I totally agree but I have heard way too many times over the past 10 years of inspectors that brag about their ability to go through the ENTIRE home inspection and then sit at the kitchen table and then create the inspection report entirely from memory. I kid you not.

Jeff

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

David,
I totally agree but I have heard way too many times over the past 10 years of inspectors that brag about their ability to go through the ENTIRE home inspection and then sit at the kitchen table and then create the inspection report entirely from memory. I kid you not.

Jeff

Maybe they have a photographic memory. I wish them luck.

I want my client next to me throughout the entire inspection. If I'm not showing them issues, then I'm showing them how to upgrade or how to maintain mechanicals. Scribbling things down on a piece of paper helps me a lot. I talk way too much throughout the inspection, and I do not trust my noggin to remember every little thing.

I've never had a client call and ask me why I failed to write down a specific defect.

I'll always have a pen and pad of paper in my shirt pocket, no matter where I am in the house. There are times where my client is chatting with the Realtor and I'm crawling in tight spaces and my phone rings, so I'm able to catch a phone call or two and jot the telephone numbers down so I can return their call. It's either that or write on my dirty palm.

[Brian E. Kelly]

I enter the data as I find it generally. I can usually remember the roof, exterior and electrical until I get to the kitchen. If not I make a note or two.

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

I enter the data as I find it generally. I can usually remember the roof, exterior and electrical until I get to the kitchen. If not I make a note or two.

And in the interior....are you bringing the laptop with you in each room around the house ?...or are you going back to the kitchen after each room to enter your inspection data from that room ? ...otherwise are you taking notes during the interior inspection also ?

[Karl E. Gerhauser]

I use a mini computer that some refer to as a PDA. I've completed 800+ inspections, use Porter Valley Software and have not had the pda not communicate with my laptopo before assigning pictures and printing the report on site. My realtors and customers like the on site service.

I do the same except I prefer To merge my info and do the report at my office. I have many canned comments but I like to think about the insp. as I'm doing the report.
I like my "PDA" in an otterbox which straps to my hand.
I don't like the screen size, but a tablet is too big. Do you have info or links about "these new tablets or UMPC's "?

[Dominic J. Maricic]

Karl,

Newegg has good prices. You can find a lot of different ones here: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...tra-Mobile-PCs
They have 5"-7" screens. They are run full XP or Vista depending on what you get so they can do everything your normal computer can. We have several users using them now and they love them.