laptop or PDA?

[Randy D. Stufflebeem]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

Laptop.

PDA's suck.

Bingo! Starting to enjoy the conversion to laptop. Little slow right now but I can see a lot more time available doing on site reports.
Randy

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

I did 3 inspections yesterday and printed all the reports before I left. I used a PDA for about a month or two a few years ago. It was impossible to go over the report with the client on the PDA before printing it. The clients seem to enjoy going over the report on the 15.4" laptop screen as opposed to the teeny weeny pda (etch-a-sketch) screen.

Actually at the end of the inspection process you can export the inspection data collected into a Word document that is created on a SD Card on my PDA.(takes about 5 seconds) You then could place it in your laptop that is sitting on the counter and bring up the Word document that is already completed and we can review it with the client there....make any changes we feel necessary in Word and then print it if we want on site.

I am not recommending reviewing the report on the PDA...I am recommending using the PDA to do the data collection to save time having to reenter the data on the laptop. Most inspectors will just print the report directly from the PDA to a portable printer using Bluetooth (about 6 pages a minute) and review the printed report with the client. No need for a laptop at all.

Our software runs on a PDA or a laptop so it really makes no difference to me which way you do it but my 10 years in this business tells me that there are a lot of inspectors that spend a lot of time reentering data in the evening and in the field and I am just trying to help the ones that want to change....and yes Brian Kelly says "PDAs suck" (see I do listen) but I have a feeling it was the software he was using that actually sucked.

Jeff Knight
Hudson, WI
Knights Software Solutions, Inc.
www.knightssoftware.com
"Leading handheld inspection software for 10 years."

[Randy D. Stufflebeem]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

Actually at the end of the inspection process you can export the inspection data collected into a Word document that is created on a SD Card on my PDA.(takes about 5 seconds) You then could place it in your laptop that is sitting on the counter and bring up the Word document that is already completed and we can review it with the client there....make any changes we feel necessary in Word and then print it if we want on site.
Never thought about it that way! Sounds pretty smooth!
I am not recommending reviewing the report on the PDA...I am recommending using the PDA to do the data collection to save time having to reenter the data on the laptop. Most inspectors will just print the report directly from the PDA to a portable printer using Bluetooth (about 6 pages a minute) and review the printed report with the client. No need for a laptop at all.

Our software runs on a PDA or a laptop so it really makes no difference to me which way you do it but my 10 years in this business tells me that there are a lot of inspectors that spend a lot of time reentering data in the evening and in the field and I am just trying to help the ones that want to change....and yes Brian Kelly says "PDAs suck" (see I do listen) but I have a feeling it was the software he was using that actually sucked.

Jeff Knight
Hudson, WI
Knights Software Solutions, Inc.
www.knightssoftware.com
"Leading handheld inspection software for 10 years."

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[relliott]

I am sure Mr Knights software works fine for those interested in using a PDA for their inspection reporting.

It may not be for everyone , but some like it I am sure.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knight

Actually at the end of the inspection process you can export the inspection data collected into a Word document that is created on a SD Card on my PDA.(takes about 5 seconds) You then could place it in your laptop that is sitting on the counter and bring up the Word document that is already completed and we can review it with the client there....make any changes we feel necessary in Word and then print it if we want on site.

I am not recommending reviewing the report on the PDA...I am recommending using the PDA to do the data collection to save time having to reenter the data on the laptop. Most inspectors will just print the report directly from the PDA to a portable printer using Bluetooth (about 6 pages a minute) and review the printed report with the client. No need for a laptop at all.

Our software runs on a PDA or a laptop so it really makes no difference to me which way you do it but my 10 years in this business tells me that there are a lot of inspectors that spend a lot of time reentering data in the evening and in the field and I am just trying to help the ones that want to change....and yes Brian Kelly says "PDAs suck" (see I do listen) but I have a feeling it was the software he was using that actually sucked.

Jeff Knight
Hudson, WI
Knights Software Solutions, Inc.
www.knightssoftware.com
"Leading handheld inspection software for 10 years."

I like software guys Jeff. And I know some inspectors like using PDA's, not many mind you, but I know some.

How many reports have YOU GENERATED ONESITE this year???????????

If the answer is zero, then please refrain from spouting any unsubstaintiated, secondary data to tell us how great it is to perform a HI on a pda using the software YOU SELL.

I am a LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR that performs HOME INSPECTIONS ONSITE WITH A LAPTOP for over 5 years.

MY PERSONAL OPINION IS PDA'S SUCK


ps just a guess but I think inspectvue would be the leading handheld software

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

Laptop.

PDA's suck.

I agree, the screen's too small. I got wrinkles and buck teeth from squinting.

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

I like software guys Jeff. And I know some inspectors like using PDA's, not many mind you, but I know some.

How many reports have YOU GENERATED ONESITE this year???????????

If the answer is zero, then please refrain from spouting any unsubstaintiated, secondary data to tell us how great it is to perform a HI on a pda using the software YOU SELL.

I am a LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR that performs HOME INSPECTIONS ONSITE WITH A LAPTOP for over 5 years.

MY PERSONAL OPINION IS PDA'S SUCK


ps just a guess but I think inspectvue would be the leading handheld software

For one thing inspectvue is not a standalone application on the handheld...it is an add-on for their PC version. You need their PC version to use the handheld software...same for 3D and HomeGauge. They are add-ons for their PC software. We have the biggest franchise oranization using a version of our software as well as the biggest school in the country has used a version of it.

There are thousands of inspections done with our software every day with a majority of them created on site so I think I am very confident on my "spouting" as you call it. I know our solution is not for everybody and I am not trying to convince you to change. I just don't want you giving advise that "PDAs suck" without having a counter argument that they really don't and it is a matter of opinion and each inspector should make his own decision...especially the new inspectors that need help in their business and would like to be as efficient as possible in this tough market.

Jeff Knight
Hudson, WI
Knights Software Solutions, Inc.
www.knightssoftware.com
"Leading handheld inspection software for 10 years."

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by kshepard

I agree, the screen's too small. I got wrinkles and buck teeth from squinting.

Actually the text on the PDAs can be just as large and sometimes even larger then on a laptop. The 4" PDAs with a 480x640 resolution screen are very easy to read and over the last 3 years I have not had ONE inspector say to me once I showed them the app on the bigger PDAs that it was too hard to read... EVER !! The only way to find out is to actually try it yourself.

Jeff Knight
Hudson, WI
Knights Software Solutions, Inc.
www.knightssoftware.com
"Leading handheld inspection software for 10 years."

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by kshepard

I agree, the screen's too small. I got wrinkles and buck teeth from squinting.

I'm going to want to see the before pictures of your wrinkles and buck teeth in order to decide.

[William M. Corbett]

Some guys like blondes, some guys like brunettes, and the really daring guys like redheads.

[relliott]

Jeff , you should let Brian have a free trial, and he can report back.

[Jeff Knight]

Originally Posted by relliott

Jeff , you should let Brian have a free trial, and he can report back.

There is a free trial of the software on our website that can be downloaded to any PocketPC. It has been there since day one. It will let you play with the interface and see what it looks like. It's limitations are that it only lets you create a single inspection with it but all of its features are included. Brian would need to purchase a PocketPC with a 4" screen to try it on a PDA. Doubtful that would happen...I think he has already made up his mind that they suck.

Jeff Knight
Hudson, WI
Knights Software Solutions, Inc.
www.knightssoftware.com
"Leading handheld inspection software for over 10 years."

[wlord]

I like using my Pocket PC w/ Homeguage software when th client isn't present, or I'm going back to the office to prepare the report. Merging info is easy. Otherwise I like the laptop to deliver onsite.

[Russell Buchanan]

Originally Posted by wlord

I like using my Pocket PC w/ Homeguage software when th client isn't present, or I'm going back to the office to prepare the report. Merging info is easy. Otherwise I like the laptop to deliver onsite.

HomeGauge has a very readible user interface for the PDA or Smart Phone.

BTW, there is a button on the smart phone that will turn off incoming calls while working with the smartphone. We have many inspectors using the Pocket HG on their smart phone and love it. Another PDA to look at is the HP IPAC 211 www.hpshopping.com and put 211 in the search.

Many features with the Pocket HG http://www.homegauge.com/inspector/hgis/pockethg.html
you can see some screenshots of it here as well.

[Brian E. Kelly]

PDA's still suck Jeff.

And I see that you sell some picture cd's from Torn Feiza. I thought his name was Tom?

I am beginning to understand what "stand alone software" is.