InspectorDhttp://www.tabletpcblogs.com/blogs/inspectord/atom.aspxCommunity Server2006-03-05T09:43:00ZUMPC - Nice concept but not ready for prime time.http://www.tabletpcblogs.com/blogs/inspectord/archive/2006/03/18/7449.aspx2006-03-18T14:45:00Z2006-03-18T14:45:00Z<P>I've been following this development for many weeks. Always on the lookout for the new toy that will make my job easier and make me more productive.</P>
<P>It started with a brilliant viral marketing campaign. It certainly got the buzz going! Rumor piled upon rumor until the release at CeBit. If letters and words were energy, the amount expended on this subject could have taken us to Mars and back. But hype is still hype. Time will tell.</P>
<P>There appear to be many offerings scheduled for the launch. Then there is the "second tier" guys in the background, panting to get their offering out. How many times have we seen this game played?</P>
<P>I do tend to be an early adopter of cool tech devices. I've been using a TabletPC for a couple of years now starting with a no longer available NEC VersaLitePad. It was cheap, only $1200 so I jumped in and never looked back. I use a computer of some sort all day in the field, in a fully mobile context. (I do Property Inspections) The form factor of the slate suited my work flow perfectly. The NEC was lacking in only two areas, battery life and viewability outdoors. That has been handled with a switch to a Motion LE-1600. Sweet machine!</P>
<P>Will I switch to a UMPC? Likely, when they are out for a while and have proven themselves in "battle" with the road warriors. The small form factor is already available in Motion's LE-800. This little gem does all the UMPC is reported to do in a thinner and lighter package. Price is the barrier. The LE-800 is a bit spendy. Not that much less than the full-on 1600. </P>
<P>If the UMPC offerings from the various venders can hit an under $1000 price point with all the bells and whistles and decent battery life, I'm there!</P>
<P>Dana</P><img src="http://www.tabletpcblogs.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=7449" width="1" height="1">InspectorDhttp://www.tabletpcblogs.com/members/InspectorD.aspxMotion LE-1600 in the Fieldhttp://www.tabletpcblogs.com/blogs/inspectord/archive/2006/03/05/6963.aspx2006-03-05T14:43:00Z2006-03-05T14:43:00Z<P>Been using this slate form factor tablet for 6 months or so in the field. (Motion LE-1600 w/ view anywhere screen in a Motion "bump" case)<BR>I do private property inspections and run a special software for this. I also run Journal or OneNote "under it" to take notes as I do the inspection. The combination of very good handwriting recognition and using the pen-as-mouse system make the inspections go much faster. I love this Tablet.</P>
<P>I tested the form factor with a "cheap" NEC VersaLite tablet for about a year. I'm hooked. I don't even own a working laptop anymore. I've been gradually winning over the other inspectors in my group. I write a WIKI and promote the TabletPC form heavily in it.</P>
<P>I'm sort of a early adopter of new tools, leaning toward the tech side. What I do is a blend of many years of construction industry experience as a General Contractor and years as a computer hobbiest. Oddly enough, they go together well. I am able to effectively use many high tech tools for inspections. </P>
<UL>
<LI>TabletPC</LI>
<LI>PocketPC (voice notes)</LI>
<LI>Ev-DO for field access to the Net</LI>
<LI>electronic thermometers</LI>
<LI>electrical testers</LI>
<LI>HP 1010 series laser printer.</LI>
<LI>digital still camera</LI>
<LI>electronic tape measure</LI></UL>
<P>All this stuff is carried in a special PC back pack and a stealth gym bag for the printer. Who says laser printers are delicate? This one has survived over a year of three-a-day inspections!</P>
<P>When I walk on to a job and roll out this portable office, do the inspection and print the report on-site, including pictures, it really blows the clients away.</P>
<P>It's been fun keeping up with all the latest "toys" and being able to write them off against my business.</P>
<P>A few months ago, I started a WIKI at <A href="http://www.pbwiki.com">www.pbwiki.com</A> as a communication tool for the inspection group I work with. Of course, I'm a strong advocate for the tech tools available to make things go faster and better. This advocacy has been having a positive effect. We all use computers. Most are still using laptops. It's a bit of a sterotype but all the guys come from the construction fields and many of them are tech "noobs". They can use the computer (because they have to) but are totally lost if it doesn't go right. I've become the "go-to" guy in this case. I also promote the new tools and programs that I find to be useful to me.</P>
<P>Dana B.</P>
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<P> </P><img src="http://www.tabletpcblogs.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6963" width="1" height="1">InspectorDhttp://www.tabletpcblogs.com/members/InspectorD.aspx