E-Books Go to College,
a feature in the May 1 Library Journal on a study done with e-books on handheld devices in college classrooms and libraries.
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Thursday, April 25, 2002
Beam me a book
Beam me a Book! is an informal
bibliography/webliography I did for a recent workshop at Alliance
Library System on ebooks and pdas. Many of the links for sites came from participants of this
group - thanks much. If you have any ideas or input on how this bibliography could be more helpful,
I would appreciate it as I am doing several presentations over the next few weeks. Email me at lbell927@yahoo.com
Thanks.
bibliography/webliography I did for a recent workshop at Alliance
Library System on ebooks and pdas. Many of the links for sites came from participants of this
group - thanks much. If you have any ideas or input on how this bibliography could be more helpful,
I would appreciate it as I am doing several presentations over the next few weeks. Email me at lbell927@yahoo.com
Thanks.
Beam me a book!
Beam me a Book! is an informal
bibliography/webliography I did for a recent workshop at Alliance
Library System on ebooks and pdas. Many of the links for sites came from participants of this
group - thanks much. If you have any ideas or input on how this bibliography could be more helpful,
I would appreciate it as I am doing several presentations over the next few weeks. Email me at lbell927@yahoo.com
Thanks.
bibliography/webliography I did for a recent workshop at Alliance
Library System on ebooks and pdas. Many of the links for sites came from participants of this
group - thanks much. If you have any ideas or input on how this bibliography could be more helpful,
I would appreciate it as I am doing several presentations over the next few weeks. Email me at lbell927@yahoo.com
Thanks.
TechRepublic Support of PDAs
The TechRepublic, a free subscription content and tech support portal, is beginning to have articles on supporting palms and other PDAs in enterprise environments, like this one entitled "PDA virus protection: Are your users' devices safe?" by Patricia Cardoza. I think will see a lot more of these types of articles in the future. Hopefully, they'll help make our job easier.
Monday, April 22, 2002
Adventures with PrintBoy
Today was a great adventure! Knowing it does not take much to excite
me or make me happy, let me tell you I was a happy camper today!
What program do you use to print from your pda?
We decided to try
PrintBoy. PrintBoy, whose logo is a little blonde boy in a blue shirt holding up a printout,
is the "most popular" IR print program for pdas! Even when you install PrintBoy on your pda,
the icon for the program is the little blonde boy. He is a happy little blonde boy with a great
big smile! Imagine your pda with all these functional, boring black and white icons and then
this colorful smiling little blonde boy with a print out in hand. I don't know why PrintBoy tickles me so,
but it does. I am giving a presentation tomorrow and I think I will start off with the personalities
of planet pda: printboy, Margi (of Margi presenter-to-go), and Epocrates (of drug information fame).
Does anyone else have any pda jargon or software names that make you smile? Please share them.
oh, there is also Plucker, Mazingo, Avantgo, Vindigo, ....
Printboy works like a charm though. I installed a trial and had it working within an hour.
This was amazing to me, as I expected to spend the whole afternoon on it. PrintBoy's
excitement and friendly smile kept me going throughout the installation to my pc and
the sync to my handheld. The documentation was excellent and within another few minutes,
I had tentatively set up my visor with its IR port lined up just so next to the printer IR and
tapped on the "print" command next to the smiling blonde boy on my handheld. Voila!
An entry from the address book printed out nice and clear! I was so surprised it worked
that I actually jumped in surprise and said "ohhh" so loud that one of our customers using
a computer eyed the handheld and then me suspiciously. I pointed at the handheld and
sighed "Print boy! I printed from my pda and I didn't expect it to print!" He kind of just
nodded like people do when they are just going along with you and returned his eyes quickly to his
computer screen.
Well, Printboy made my day!
me or make me happy, let me tell you I was a happy camper today!
What program do you use to print from your pda?
We decided to try
PrintBoy. PrintBoy, whose logo is a little blonde boy in a blue shirt holding up a printout,
is the "most popular" IR print program for pdas! Even when you install PrintBoy on your pda,
the icon for the program is the little blonde boy. He is a happy little blonde boy with a great
big smile! Imagine your pda with all these functional, boring black and white icons and then
this colorful smiling little blonde boy with a print out in hand. I don't know why PrintBoy tickles me so,
but it does. I am giving a presentation tomorrow and I think I will start off with the personalities
of planet pda: printboy, Margi (of Margi presenter-to-go), and Epocrates (of drug information fame).
Does anyone else have any pda jargon or software names that make you smile? Please share them.
oh, there is also Plucker, Mazingo, Avantgo, Vindigo, ....
Printboy works like a charm though. I installed a trial and had it working within an hour.
This was amazing to me, as I expected to spend the whole afternoon on it. PrintBoy's
excitement and friendly smile kept me going throughout the installation to my pc and
the sync to my handheld. The documentation was excellent and within another few minutes,
I had tentatively set up my visor with its IR port lined up just so next to the printer IR and
tapped on the "print" command next to the smiling blonde boy on my handheld. Voila!
An entry from the address book printed out nice and clear! I was so surprised it worked
that I actually jumped in surprise and said "ohhh" so loud that one of our customers using
a computer eyed the handheld and then me suspiciously. I pointed at the handheld and
sighed "Print boy! I printed from my pda and I didn't expect it to print!" He kind of just
nodded like people do when they are just going along with you and returned his eyes quickly to his
computer screen.
Well, Printboy made my day!
Saturday, April 20, 2002
Pumatech Enterprise Syncing at Cambridge
Dr. Mohammad Al-Ubaydli (mo@idiopathic.com) responded to
Steven Grove's information request on Pumatech enterprise syncing systems.
"Dear Seven,
we used Pumatech's software in a project to allow Cambridge University medical students to share their teaching. You can find some more information about it at:
http://www.cbcu.cam.ac.uk/handhelds/
The idea was to allow students to make notes whichever hospital they were in, wherever the learning was to be done (ie lecture, library or ward round). As the students came back once a week to the Cambridge University Addenbrooke's Hospital, they could synchronise (using a very functional infra-red beamer). The synchronisation process gives a students everybody else's notes, and gives everybody else the student's note.
As Laura and I left the project, we'd just set up a trading structure - although every student could browse every other student's notes, to have full access to them required credits... and these are gained by making your own notes attractive to other people.
Let me know if you'd like more info."
He has pdf copies of the report and will share them if you
email him at mo@idiopathic.com.
Thanks, Dr. Al-Ubaydli!
Steven Grove's information request on Pumatech enterprise syncing systems.
"Dear Seven,
we used Pumatech's software in a project to allow Cambridge University medical students to share their teaching. You can find some more information about it at:
http://www.cbcu.cam.ac.uk/handhelds/
The idea was to allow students to make notes whichever hospital they were in, wherever the learning was to be done (ie lecture, library or ward round). As the students came back once a week to the Cambridge University Addenbrooke's Hospital, they could synchronise (using a very functional infra-red beamer). The synchronisation process gives a students everybody else's notes, and gives everybody else the student's note.
As Laura and I left the project, we'd just set up a trading structure - although every student could browse every other student's notes, to have full access to them required credits... and these are gained by making your own notes attractive to other people.
Let me know if you'd like more info."
He has pdf copies of the report and will share them if you
email him at mo@idiopathic.com.
Thanks, Dr. Al-Ubaydli!
A slick new tablet computer between a pda and laptop with the power of a desktop
Take a look at this slick new tablet pc slated to come out later in 2002.
"OQO Announces First Ultra-Personal Computer"
April 16, 2002
Today at the Microsoft Corp. Windows Hardware Engineering Conference 2002 (WinHEC 2002) announced the world's first ultra-personal computer, representing a new PC category that could transform personal computing the same way the cell phone has revolutionized telecommunications.
OQO's first product is a highly functional and versatile handheld wireless computer that easily becomes a notebook or desktop PC. Measuring just 4.9 inches by 2.9 inches by 0.9 inches and weighing less than nine ounces, OQO's PC is a full-function computer running Microsoft Windows XP Professional and incorporating up to a 1GHz Crusoe TM5800 processor from Transmeta Corporation (NASDAQ: TMTA); four inch, super bright VGA color LCD; Synaptics (NASDAQ: SYNA) touchscreen; 256MB onboard RAM; 10GB hard drive; 1394 FireWire, USB, audio, OQO-link connectors; and 802.11b and Bluetooth wireless networking.
"We're impressed with the direction that OQO is showing in developing an ultra-mobile, ultra-connected Windows XP-based PC," said Jim Allchin, Group Vice President of the Platforms Group at Microsoft Corp. "These types of small-form-factor PCs, with their ability to deliver the power and richness of Windows anytime and anywhere, will enable exciting new user experiences and opportunities."
"The OQO device represents an exciting new mobile computing platform that delivers full desktop applications in a handheld form factor," said Tim Bajarin, computer industry analyst and president, Creative Strategies, Inc. "It clearly breaks new ground and opens the door to a new category in mobile personal computing."
As a standalone device, OQO's ultra-personal computer slips easily into a shirt pocket. When inserted into an OQO-designed enclosure, it becomes a notebook PC. When placed in a cradle with a standard screen and keyboard, it functions as a desktop PC. This modular design allows for ease of use and convenience when traveling, whether to and from the office, across the country, or around the world.
"Modular computers have been identified as one of the most desirable form factors by Giga's IT audience every time we have surveyed for it," said Rob Enderle, research fellow for Giga Information Group. "This is one concept that actually could transform the technology industry and ensure a more steady revenue stream preceded by unprecedented--and potentially incredible‹growth."
"After years of designing Apple and IBM laptops, the OQO team felt the time had come for the next step -- but a revolutionary one -- of the full-featured, wireless PC." said Jory Bell, president and CEO, OQO. "We wanted an ultra-personal computer that you always carry, while still providing the full functionality of the Windows PC. We sought a device that incorporates wireless access as a central idea to the whole mobile experience. Moreover, we tried to instantiate something that would make people optimistic about the future."
"OQO's product is a perfect match for the strengths of Transmeta's Crusoe processor, said David Ditzel, vice chairman and chief technology officer, Transmeta Corporation. "Crusoe is a catalyst for long battery life, small form factors and cool and quiet operation in emerging mobile platforms."
The first OQO PCs are expected to be commercially available from leading consumer electronics manufacturers in the second half of 2002.
OQO was founded in 1999 and is based San Francisco. The company includes executives, engineers and designers with exceptional credentials, including key positions at Apple Computer (Powerbook Design), Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory, IBM Almaden Research, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Transmeta, and Oracle Corporation. The company's website is at www.oqo.com.
(Note to editors: company backgrounder; product backgrounder; FAQ; and executive bios available upon request.)
Contact:
Colin Hunter
cbh@oqo.com
Alexia Gilmore
lexy@oqo.com"
I'll take one!
"OQO Announces First Ultra-Personal Computer"
April 16, 2002
Today at the Microsoft Corp. Windows Hardware Engineering Conference 2002 (WinHEC 2002) announced the world's first ultra-personal computer, representing a new PC category that could transform personal computing the same way the cell phone has revolutionized telecommunications.
OQO's first product is a highly functional and versatile handheld wireless computer that easily becomes a notebook or desktop PC. Measuring just 4.9 inches by 2.9 inches by 0.9 inches and weighing less than nine ounces, OQO's PC is a full-function computer running Microsoft Windows XP Professional and incorporating up to a 1GHz Crusoe TM5800 processor from Transmeta Corporation (NASDAQ: TMTA); four inch, super bright VGA color LCD; Synaptics (NASDAQ: SYNA) touchscreen; 256MB onboard RAM; 10GB hard drive; 1394 FireWire, USB, audio, OQO-link connectors; and 802.11b and Bluetooth wireless networking.
"We're impressed with the direction that OQO is showing in developing an ultra-mobile, ultra-connected Windows XP-based PC," said Jim Allchin, Group Vice President of the Platforms Group at Microsoft Corp. "These types of small-form-factor PCs, with their ability to deliver the power and richness of Windows anytime and anywhere, will enable exciting new user experiences and opportunities."
"The OQO device represents an exciting new mobile computing platform that delivers full desktop applications in a handheld form factor," said Tim Bajarin, computer industry analyst and president, Creative Strategies, Inc. "It clearly breaks new ground and opens the door to a new category in mobile personal computing."
As a standalone device, OQO's ultra-personal computer slips easily into a shirt pocket. When inserted into an OQO-designed enclosure, it becomes a notebook PC. When placed in a cradle with a standard screen and keyboard, it functions as a desktop PC. This modular design allows for ease of use and convenience when traveling, whether to and from the office, across the country, or around the world.
"Modular computers have been identified as one of the most desirable form factors by Giga's IT audience every time we have surveyed for it," said Rob Enderle, research fellow for Giga Information Group. "This is one concept that actually could transform the technology industry and ensure a more steady revenue stream preceded by unprecedented--and potentially incredible‹growth."
"After years of designing Apple and IBM laptops, the OQO team felt the time had come for the next step -- but a revolutionary one -- of the full-featured, wireless PC." said Jory Bell, president and CEO, OQO. "We wanted an ultra-personal computer that you always carry, while still providing the full functionality of the Windows PC. We sought a device that incorporates wireless access as a central idea to the whole mobile experience. Moreover, we tried to instantiate something that would make people optimistic about the future."
"OQO's product is a perfect match for the strengths of Transmeta's Crusoe processor, said David Ditzel, vice chairman and chief technology officer, Transmeta Corporation. "Crusoe is a catalyst for long battery life, small form factors and cool and quiet operation in emerging mobile platforms."
The first OQO PCs are expected to be commercially available from leading consumer electronics manufacturers in the second half of 2002.
OQO was founded in 1999 and is based San Francisco. The company includes executives, engineers and designers with exceptional credentials, including key positions at Apple Computer (Powerbook Design), Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory, IBM Almaden Research, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Transmeta, and Oracle Corporation. The company's website is at www.oqo.com.
(Note to editors: company backgrounder; product backgrounder; FAQ; and executive bios available upon request.)
Contact:
Colin Hunter
cbh@oqo.com
Alexia Gilmore
lexy@oqo.com"
I'll take one!
Friday, April 19, 2002
Enterprise Syncing Software
Steven Grove from Harold Brittingham
Memorial Library in Cleveland Ohio, needs to know if any health systems are using
enterprise level level systems like Pumatech.
According to their website, Pumatech
"provides organizations with a comprehensive suite of enterprise-level software products and services that deliver highly relevant information - wherever and whenever it's needed. The company's portfolio makes Pumatech a single resource, providing the infrastructure necessary to expand the boundaries of information. Organizations can choose to use Pumatech's ready-made enterprise offerings, or they can leverage Pumatech's professional services team to create custom solutions built upon Pumatech's core enterprise platform. Pumatech's customer and strategic partner base includes Global 2000 companies such as Siebel, Oracle, Yahoo!, NTT DoCoMo, Boeing, CNET and General Motors. The company has headquarters in Silicon Valley, Tokyo and London. Pumatech offers more information on its products and services at www.pumatech.com."
If you have any information, please send it to Steven Grove at sgrove@metrohealth.org
or to me at lbell927@yahoo.com and I will post it to this blog.
What an interesting company and applications! I was talking to another medical librarian
today and they are using infrared hotsyncing, but this does not work well for
profile-based programs like Epocrates. This librarian said that some libraries are having
medical students carry a zip disk with their profile on it so they can hotsync from anywhere.
This brings up an interesting and definite challenge libraries will have to face very soon: delivery
and format of documents to the handheld or tablet. What influence could librarians have in the
development of an application which would take the best of all kinds of document formatting so
that you did not have to create every document in a number of formats and the application developed
could read something of all kinds of formats? Handstory
seemed to be addressing this in offering a program that read a number of document types.
Has anyone else run across any other good document delivery programs in addition to this,
avantgo, and others?
Memorial Library in Cleveland Ohio, needs to know if any health systems are using
enterprise level level systems like Pumatech.
According to their website, Pumatech
"provides organizations with a comprehensive suite of enterprise-level software products and services that deliver highly relevant information - wherever and whenever it's needed. The company's portfolio makes Pumatech a single resource, providing the infrastructure necessary to expand the boundaries of information. Organizations can choose to use Pumatech's ready-made enterprise offerings, or they can leverage Pumatech's professional services team to create custom solutions built upon Pumatech's core enterprise platform. Pumatech's customer and strategic partner base includes Global 2000 companies such as Siebel, Oracle, Yahoo!, NTT DoCoMo, Boeing, CNET and General Motors. The company has headquarters in Silicon Valley, Tokyo and London. Pumatech offers more information on its products and services at www.pumatech.com."
If you have any information, please send it to Steven Grove at sgrove@metrohealth.org
or to me at lbell927@yahoo.com and I will post it to this blog.
What an interesting company and applications! I was talking to another medical librarian
today and they are using infrared hotsyncing, but this does not work well for
profile-based programs like Epocrates. This librarian said that some libraries are having
medical students carry a zip disk with their profile on it so they can hotsync from anywhere.
This brings up an interesting and definite challenge libraries will have to face very soon: delivery
and format of documents to the handheld or tablet. What influence could librarians have in the
development of an application which would take the best of all kinds of document formatting so
that you did not have to create every document in a number of formats and the application developed
could read something of all kinds of formats? Handstory
seemed to be addressing this in offering a program that read a number of document types.
Has anyone else run across any other good document delivery programs in addition to this,
avantgo, and others?
Thursday, April 18, 2002
News
Hello. Handheld Librarian was referenced in
Data Collection in Public Libraries Using Handhelds: A Report Prepared April 2002 by Linda Lundquist.
Linda, thanks for linking up to us, and congratulations on a most creative and interesting study! Good luck
and I hope you will let the group knows how it goes.
Use of New Technologies for Better Library
Management :GIS (Geographical Information Software) and PDAs (Personal Digital Data Collectors
by Christine Koontz and Dean K. Jue presented at the IFLA Conference is another interesting report
on how pdas can be used for data collection in the library.
Patient Education with a PDA by
Matt Lewis talks about how physicians can use pdas for patient education with reference tools on it
and documents they create. Libraries might use this as an example for some of the services they
might provide.
Look at ArcStream looks to
be a big player in pda medicine, higher education, distance learning, and mobile solutions. Look at
this press page. They have partnered with distance learning company Blackboard, medical information
UpToDate, AvantGo, several colleges, and more! Should be interesting! Pretty soon, they will have
Blackboard to Go, and UpToDate available for the pocket pc. This UpToDate development is interesting
as UpToDate is one of the most popular medical information sources, but much more medical information
is available on the palm os than the pocket pc. I wonder what kind of impact this will have on the
medical pda market!
Data Collection in Public Libraries Using Handhelds: A Report Prepared April 2002 by Linda Lundquist.
Linda, thanks for linking up to us, and congratulations on a most creative and interesting study! Good luck
and I hope you will let the group knows how it goes.
Use of New Technologies for Better Library
Management :GIS (Geographical Information Software) and PDAs (Personal Digital Data Collectors
by Christine Koontz and Dean K. Jue presented at the IFLA Conference is another interesting report
on how pdas can be used for data collection in the library.
Patient Education with a PDA by
Matt Lewis talks about how physicians can use pdas for patient education with reference tools on it
and documents they create. Libraries might use this as an example for some of the services they
might provide.
Look at ArcStream looks to
be a big player in pda medicine, higher education, distance learning, and mobile solutions. Look at
this press page. They have partnered with distance learning company Blackboard, medical information
UpToDate, AvantGo, several colleges, and more! Should be interesting! Pretty soon, they will have
Blackboard to Go, and UpToDate available for the pocket pc. This UpToDate development is interesting
as UpToDate is one of the most popular medical information sources, but much more medical information
is available on the palm os than the pocket pc. I wonder what kind of impact this will have on the
medical pda market!
Tuesday, April 16, 2002
New product from Unbound Medicine
This from Christoper Garriga at Unbound Medicine:
"As you seem interested in new research programs that have been
developed for
the palm, I thought you might be interested in our latest product,
Harrison's On Hand. Today Harrison's On Hand
(http://www.harrisonsonhand.com) was released in conjunction with our
business partner McGraw Hill. Like Ovid@Hand, Harrison's On Hand is
based
on the CogniQ platform from Unbound Medicine (www.unboundmedicine.com).
There is a nifty demo on the Harrison's on Hand website (could even be
used
for training purposes).
If you're interested in trying the CogniQ platform, we currently have a
free-trial going in partnership with the BMJ Publishing Group
(http://www.unboundmedicine.com/bmjtrial.htm).
How great to hear about a new product on the day of release!
Thanks, Chris!
"As you seem interested in new research programs that have been
developed for
the palm, I thought you might be interested in our latest product,
Harrison's On Hand. Today Harrison's On Hand
(http://www.harrisonsonhand.com) was released in conjunction with our
business partner McGraw Hill. Like Ovid@Hand, Harrison's On Hand is
based
on the CogniQ platform from Unbound Medicine (www.unboundmedicine.com).
There is a nifty demo on the Harrison's on Hand website (could even be
used
for training purposes).
If you're interested in trying the CogniQ platform, we currently have a
free-trial going in partnership with the BMJ Publishing Group
(http://www.unboundmedicine.com/bmjtrial.htm).
How great to hear about a new product on the day of release!
Thanks, Chris!
Friday, April 12, 2002
Mastercard or PDA? You don't want to leave home without it/Try and Fly
What the Doctor ordered:Global Physician Survey Reports Mobile Devices Help Doctors Provide Better Patient Care; Improve Interactions with Pharmaceutical Representatives
Avantgo conducted a survey of physicians who said "mobile devices could significantly improve patient care." 92% of the docs
are using their pdas numerous times a day for calendars, to access drug reference guides, and read medical journals.
They would like to use their pdas to access medical reference sites, write and transmit prescriptions, etc.
Try and Fly: Hotspot
Program Lends PDAs to Travelers" And I thought I had it bad, loading 29 pdas for loan to medical professionals. :)
Swedish operator Tella lends pdas to travelers for 24 hours so that they can test the use of mobile computing for their
travelers and wireless network access. Boy, doesn't this sound like a great idea? Something for libraries to consider?
""The aim of 'Fly & Try' is to demonstrate, primarily to business travelers, how a mobile solution can facilitate and streamline their working day," said Mats Salomonsson, acting head of Telia Mobile Sweden. He added that the operator wanted to demonstrate that "waiting time at the airport can be turned into efficient working time." This is what medical libraries are trying to do for
medical professionals and doctors, what we are trying to do in our project, to demonstrate that the library is one of the first
places in an organization to embrace new technologies, to train others on their use and to provide valuable information via
the technology and about the technology. What a great idea...Try and Fly...think of what libraries of all kinds could do for
their clientele by allowing their customers test drive a pda. This struck me today what an all-encompassing and
wonderful device the pda has evolved into. I did my first presentation using Margi
Presenter to go at a small hospital in central Illinois. They invited me to do a presentation on pdas because they were
thinking about using them in a clinical setting. I did not take a laptop; I took the projector and the pda with my power
point on the pda. Using Margi Presenter to go, I set up the pda with the laptop and did my presentation. I could
have taken minutes of the meeting using the detachable keyboard and Documents to go. The network manager
there beamed me his business card so I could send him more information about our project. (This was my first
beam!) How exciting! I had the digital camera and could have used this to take pictures if I happened to be
on vacation. I could also use the pda as a picture album if I wanted to, keep all my names, addresses and
phone numbers. If I needed to make a call, I could plug my cellular phone into the expansion slot (which
I don't have yet). If I were traveling and needed directions, I could use a GPS system. If I were really into
traveling and wanted information about one of the cities on the vindigo service, I could look up restaurants, hotels
and more! Now that some magazines are becoming mobile, I could get my magazine subscriptions on
my handheld, keep in touch while I'm gone via wireless e-mail, load up ebooks on my pda for reading in the car,
instant message my friends when I got tired of reading, and eventually use my pda for all electronic money transactions. I am sure
Jenny can think of even more uses for the pda, but just think! We are not far from this. There is a lot libraries
could do to allow their customers to "try and fly" such as giving training to local businesses or educators; demonstrating
the Avantgo channels that would be of interest to them; the Margi Presenter to go so they can do a business
or classroom presentation; some reference tools specific to
that audience (such as ovid@hand for medical or westlaw for lawyers); e-books available for that audience; a vindigo
account for travelers; etc. Share your ideas--they probably are not that far away. The possibilities for libraries
increase on a daily basis.
I had the great pleasure of talking with Steven Grove today from Cleveland. He is talking
about his hospital library's pda project at the Case Western Reserve conference on wireless and pdas in academic settings. This
conference is May 1-2, 2002, and Steven has promised us a report. Lots of exciting topics and
big speakers. I wish I could go. Thanks, Steven!
E-books on the IPAQ:
Great news for travelers and the book obsessed Read this great article on the
author's positive e-book reading experience on an IPAQ. This author says he did
not like earlier ebook devices, but the IPAQ is a totally different experience. Things
are looking up for e-books!
Avantgo conducted a survey of physicians who said "mobile devices could significantly improve patient care." 92% of the docs
are using their pdas numerous times a day for calendars, to access drug reference guides, and read medical journals.
They would like to use their pdas to access medical reference sites, write and transmit prescriptions, etc.
Try and Fly: Hotspot
Program Lends PDAs to Travelers" And I thought I had it bad, loading 29 pdas for loan to medical professionals. :)
Swedish operator Tella lends pdas to travelers for 24 hours so that they can test the use of mobile computing for their
travelers and wireless network access. Boy, doesn't this sound like a great idea? Something for libraries to consider?
""The aim of 'Fly & Try' is to demonstrate, primarily to business travelers, how a mobile solution can facilitate and streamline their working day," said Mats Salomonsson, acting head of Telia Mobile Sweden. He added that the operator wanted to demonstrate that "waiting time at the airport can be turned into efficient working time." This is what medical libraries are trying to do for
medical professionals and doctors, what we are trying to do in our project, to demonstrate that the library is one of the first
places in an organization to embrace new technologies, to train others on their use and to provide valuable information via
the technology and about the technology. What a great idea...Try and Fly...think of what libraries of all kinds could do for
their clientele by allowing their customers test drive a pda. This struck me today what an all-encompassing and
wonderful device the pda has evolved into. I did my first presentation using Margi
Presenter to go at a small hospital in central Illinois. They invited me to do a presentation on pdas because they were
thinking about using them in a clinical setting. I did not take a laptop; I took the projector and the pda with my power
point on the pda. Using Margi Presenter to go, I set up the pda with the laptop and did my presentation. I could
have taken minutes of the meeting using the detachable keyboard and Documents to go. The network manager
there beamed me his business card so I could send him more information about our project. (This was my first
beam!) How exciting! I had the digital camera and could have used this to take pictures if I happened to be
on vacation. I could also use the pda as a picture album if I wanted to, keep all my names, addresses and
phone numbers. If I needed to make a call, I could plug my cellular phone into the expansion slot (which
I don't have yet). If I were traveling and needed directions, I could use a GPS system. If I were really into
traveling and wanted information about one of the cities on the vindigo service, I could look up restaurants, hotels
and more! Now that some magazines are becoming mobile, I could get my magazine subscriptions on
my handheld, keep in touch while I'm gone via wireless e-mail, load up ebooks on my pda for reading in the car,
instant message my friends when I got tired of reading, and eventually use my pda for all electronic money transactions. I am sure
Jenny can think of even more uses for the pda, but just think! We are not far from this. There is a lot libraries
could do to allow their customers to "try and fly" such as giving training to local businesses or educators; demonstrating
the Avantgo channels that would be of interest to them; the Margi Presenter to go so they can do a business
or classroom presentation; some reference tools specific to
that audience (such as ovid@hand for medical or westlaw for lawyers); e-books available for that audience; a vindigo
account for travelers; etc. Share your ideas--they probably are not that far away. The possibilities for libraries
increase on a daily basis.
I had the great pleasure of talking with Steven Grove today from Cleveland. He is talking
about his hospital library's pda project at the Case Western Reserve conference on wireless and pdas in academic settings. This
conference is May 1-2, 2002, and Steven has promised us a report. Lots of exciting topics and
big speakers. I wish I could go. Thanks, Steven!
E-books on the IPAQ:
Great news for travelers and the book obsessed Read this great article on the
author's positive e-book reading experience on an IPAQ. This author says he did
not like earlier ebook devices, but the IPAQ is a totally different experience. Things
are looking up for e-books!
Thursday, April 11, 2002
Thoughts on pda training
I hope you will share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with training on pdas.
We have been involved in training medical professionals from physicians to administrative assistants on pdas for almost a year now. In the past in other settings,I have done bibliographic instruction sessions for
college students, technology training for library staff on all levels, and other types of training. When we first started
our grant project, I envisioned that we would be planning formal
training sessions for small groups. We have done a number of presentations on specific pda resources for specific
groups, but by far, the most successful training with the most impact has been done on a one-on-one basis. During
the past three months, I have done 15-20 sessions per month averaging anywhere from a brief 10 minute orientation
to a session of an hour and a half to show someone how to set up their pda and use some basic applications.
There are so many possible applications for the pda from hundreds of medical applications to word processing
with a keyboard to using Avantgo, Ovid@hand, and Epocrates effectively, each training session has really had to be customized
and individualized almost from the seat of the pants according to the interests of the user.
This is different than other library settings where I have worked and from other technologies I have taught.
Has anyone else had the same experience or different?
We have been involved in training medical professionals from physicians to administrative assistants on pdas for almost a year now. In the past in other settings,I have done bibliographic instruction sessions for
college students, technology training for library staff on all levels, and other types of training. When we first started
our grant project, I envisioned that we would be planning formal
training sessions for small groups. We have done a number of presentations on specific pda resources for specific
groups, but by far, the most successful training with the most impact has been done on a one-on-one basis. During
the past three months, I have done 15-20 sessions per month averaging anywhere from a brief 10 minute orientation
to a session of an hour and a half to show someone how to set up their pda and use some basic applications.
There are so many possible applications for the pda from hundreds of medical applications to word processing
with a keyboard to using Avantgo, Ovid@hand, and Epocrates effectively, each training session has really had to be customized
and individualized almost from the seat of the pants according to the interests of the user.
This is different than other library settings where I have worked and from other technologies I have taught.
Has anyone else had the same experience or different?
Monday, April 08, 2002
Random House newsletters:
Random House has their newsletters available as Avantgo channels. Here's the link to the set-up instructions.
Random House has their newsletters available as Avantgo channels. Here's the link to the set-up instructions.
Tuesday, April 02, 2002
More handheld information
Join the Educause Personal
Digital Assistants Constituent Group. The moderator is Linda Deneen, Director,
Information Technology Systems and Services, University of Minnesota Duluth.
"This EDUCAUSE constituent group is designed for discussion of issues and challenges that arise from the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in higher education. Topics include basic tools, special uses, wireless access to the campus network, web services for PDAs, and others. This group usually meets at the EDUCAUSE annual conference and uses an electronic discussion list (called PDA) to discuss issues on an ongoing basis throughout the year. "
Check out this great site by Megan Fox.
It has links to a variety of sites on pdas, including groups to join, pda initiatives in academic libraries,
pda applications, wireless and more. What a nice site!
Digital Assistants Constituent Group. The moderator is Linda Deneen, Director,
Information Technology Systems and Services, University of Minnesota Duluth.
"This EDUCAUSE constituent group is designed for discussion of issues and challenges that arise from the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in higher education. Topics include basic tools, special uses, wireless access to the campus network, web services for PDAs, and others. This group usually meets at the EDUCAUSE annual conference and uses an electronic discussion list (called PDA) to discuss issues on an ongoing basis throughout the year. "
Check out this great site by Megan Fox.
It has links to a variety of sites on pdas, including groups to join, pda initiatives in academic libraries,
pda applications, wireless and more. What a nice site!
Handheld Computer Use By Librarians in Experience Library/ Computers in Libraries
The Experience Library
has just opened up in Cerritos Library in California. Among many creative and exciting things, this
"new model for public libraries in the 21st century" it also features staff using wireless headsets
and handheld computers. WOW! I wonder if they have any job openings. Oops, forgot I am
very geographically bound. :) This from Computers in Libraries, April 2002. Visiting that library
would be worth a vacation. I hope they keep us up to date on all that is happening there.
This same page in Computers in Libraries
gives an announcement about the LSTA grant OSF Saint Francis
Medical Center and the the University of
Illinois at Chicago Library of the Health Sciences-Peoria are hosting on pdas June 7. Thanks, Computers
in Libraries!
has just opened up in Cerritos Library in California. Among many creative and exciting things, this
"new model for public libraries in the 21st century" it also features staff using wireless headsets
and handheld computers. WOW! I wonder if they have any job openings. Oops, forgot I am
very geographically bound. :) This from Computers in Libraries, April 2002. Visiting that library
would be worth a vacation. I hope they keep us up to date on all that is happening there.
This same page in Computers in Libraries
gives an announcement about the LSTA grant OSF Saint Francis
Medical Center and the the University of
Illinois at Chicago Library of the Health Sciences-Peoria are hosting on pdas June 7. Thanks, Computers
in Libraries!
Leave the laptop at home! Take the handheld to do your power point presentation!
This may be one of the "killer apps" for handheld computers. If you ever wondered why
you might want a handheld, or if you love handhelds and want a nifty application, read the rest of this! Margi
Presenter to Go, (I don't know why it is called Margi), is a plug-in for your Handspring Visor,
Handera, or certain types of Pocket pcs that you can use
with a digital projector to present a power point, or to display files from your handheld. (Where is
Palm?) If you've had to lug a projector and laptop, leave the laptop at home and take your
presentation on your handheld. Also,
if you have ever tried to project a presentation on handheld computing using a palm emulator
or palm screen shots, you will know what a hassle it can be. The emulator is touchy!
What a nifty piece of software/hardware Margi is! You install the software on your pc and go into Power Point.
There is an icon on power point "M". You click that to turn any Power point into a presentation
to load on your handheld. After it converts your presentation, you pop it into the queue for hot
sync to your handheld. After hotsyncing, the presentation is ready to go on your handheld!
It does not support animation, sound or video in Power Points, but my
Power points don't have these anyway. What a small price to pay for such convenience.
I have a number of presentations coming up for which I want to use power point and
display handheld applications. Thanks to Margi, I don' t need a laptop! Since I don't have
one, this is a good thing. No more laptop envy for me. You can even plop a keyboard on
to your handheld while it is hooked up to the projector so you can maneuver files on your
handheld for display on the screen. Well, this week as I discover the wonders of Margi, I
will share them with you. Is anyone else using this? Let me know.
you might want a handheld, or if you love handhelds and want a nifty application, read the rest of this! Margi
Presenter to Go, (I don't know why it is called Margi), is a plug-in for your Handspring Visor,
Handera, or certain types of Pocket pcs that you can use
with a digital projector to present a power point, or to display files from your handheld. (Where is
Palm?) If you've had to lug a projector and laptop, leave the laptop at home and take your
presentation on your handheld. Also,
if you have ever tried to project a presentation on handheld computing using a palm emulator
or palm screen shots, you will know what a hassle it can be. The emulator is touchy!
What a nifty piece of software/hardware Margi is! You install the software on your pc and go into Power Point.
There is an icon on power point "M". You click that to turn any Power point into a presentation
to load on your handheld. After it converts your presentation, you pop it into the queue for hot
sync to your handheld. After hotsyncing, the presentation is ready to go on your handheld!
It does not support animation, sound or video in Power Points, but my
Power points don't have these anyway. What a small price to pay for such convenience.
I have a number of presentations coming up for which I want to use power point and
display handheld applications. Thanks to Margi, I don' t need a laptop! Since I don't have
one, this is a good thing. No more laptop envy for me. You can even plop a keyboard on
to your handheld while it is hooked up to the projector so you can maneuver files on your
handheld for display on the screen. Well, this week as I discover the wonders of Margi, I
will share them with you. Is anyone else using this? Let me know.
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