In The Palm of Your

Hand

New Technology for

Commercial Arborists

David V. Bloniarz
USDA Forest Service,
Northeast Center for Urban & Community Forestry
 What is a PDA?

 Hand-held computer
 Store, access, and
organize information
 Can be Windows-based
(Pocket PC) or
 Can be Palm operating
system (Palm PDA)
 PDAs can be screen-
based or keyboard-
based
 Common Applications
 Personal Information Management
 Store and retrieve addresses and phone numbers
 Maintain a calendar
 Create to-do lists and notes

 Software Applications
 Databases
 Word processing
 Spreadsheets
 E-mail & Internet access
Common PDA Applications
 Synchronization
 Exchange information with a desktop or
laptop computer
 PDAs come with cables or docking
stations to connect them to your desktop
or notebook computer
 For wireless e-mail and Internet access
available for a fee
 Synchronization

Via Synchronization Cradle Wireless

 Screen Display
 Monochrome or gray-scale
 Color 256 to 64,000 colors
 Screen size will vary
among PDAs
 Larger screen means
more readable space
 Active matrix – Better
display
 Passive matrix – Uses less
battery power
Color vs.. B&W
 PDA Power
 Permanent rechargeable batteries
 Standard alkaline batteries
 Removable rechargeable batteries
 Length of service varies on the PDA
 Recharge time may also vary
depending on the battery
 You can use the PDA while the battery
is recharging
 PDA Power
 Rechargeable a
good option
 Car adaptor kits are
available for some
units
 Memory
 Typically 2MB to 64MB of built-in memory
 Two MB of memory is generally sufficient to fill
address books, maintain an active calendar,
take notes, and load useful programs
 More memory may be needed to store large files
like digital photos, databases, or large software
programs
 You can expand memory of some PDAs with
small storage cards that can be inserted into the
PDA
 Increased Memory
 Expansion Cards
 Inexpensive
 Expanded storage
and field database
access
 Hardware & Software
Options for PDA’s
 Palm OS
 Palm Pilot PDA

 Windows Pocket PC OS
 Pocket PC
Palm Pilot PDA vs. Pocket PC
Palm OS devices work best basic
contact management, the Palm OS
PDAs are generally smaller, cheaper,
lighter and have vastly better battery
life

Pocket PC units have flashier color

screens and more multimedia
capability, but are more expensive and
have short battery life
Palm Pilot PDA Manufacturers
 Palm OS – Palm Pilot PDA
 Palm Pilot
 Sony Clie
 Handspring Visor
 Palm Pilot PDA Costs
 Prices vary depending on
features
 Range from $99 - $400
+/-
 Quality unit for basic
Urban Forestry can be
found for $100- $150.
 Pocket PC Manufacturers
 Windows Pocket PC
 Compaq I-Paq
 HP Jornada
 IBM WorkPad
 Pocket PC Costs
 Variable, based on features
 Lowest priced units $200 +/-
 Basic Urban Forestry tasks – Expect to
pay $275.00
 Used units are an option
 Which Platform for You?
 What will the PDA be used for?
 Calendar, Notes, Contacts, etc.
 Data collection
 In the field GIS
 GPS integration
 Who will be using the unit?
 Single user
 Field crews
 Loaned to volunteers, staff, etc.
 Which Platform for You
 Do you, or your staff have any computer
expertise?
 Do you, or staff have any programming
experience?
 What is your budget?
GPS Compatibility
 GPS/GIS/Mapping
 Mapping software
commercially or via
web
 GPS-PDA Integrated Units
 Garmin I-Que for Palm
 Palm PDA
 Voice recorder
ArcPad GIS Pocket PC
Software
 Provides database
access, mapping,
GIS, and global
positioning system
(GPS)
 GIS Mapping Capability
 Full mobility
 ArcPad GIS

 Extract, convert,
and project your
existing data using
ArcGIS Desktop or
ArcView 3.x.
Very Important Tools
 Using a PDA in the Field:
Three Affordable .. and useful
programs for Palm OS
 Documents To Go
 Bring Word, Excel and Power point into the Field
 Pendragon Forms Software
 Database development software available for about
$150.
 Mobile Community Tree Inventory (MCTI) System
 Freeware tree inventory software
 Uses Palm OS and Windows platforms
 Seamless transfer of documents from
Windows desktop computer to Palm
PDA
 Enables editing on PDA
 Fully functional programs on PDA
Documents To Go
 Pendragon Forms
 Create handheld data
collection forms for any
Palm OS device without
programming.
 Improve productivity and
lower the cost of gathering
and analyzing information
 No programming
experience needed
 Synchronizes with MS
Access or Excel
Pendragon Forms

Design form on PC

Use form on PDA

 Pendragon Forms Inventory
Templates on the Web
 Can be used for variety
of inventory
applications - street,
park, golf course, etc.
 Tree Condition &
Management Needs
 Hazard Assessment
 Available for free
download
 Pendragon Templates
 Inventory, Hazard, Valuation, &
Damage
The Mobile Community
Tree Inventory System
(MCTI)
 MCTI Inventory System
 Variable level of applicability
 From paper to PDA
implementation
 Variable inventory protocols
 Maintenance
 Hazard tree
 Utility
 Easy to use
 Inexpensive … it’s freeware
Web Based Distribution

http://www.umass.edu/urbantree/mcti
 Getting Started with MCTI
 Requires a PC (Windows 95 or newer)
 Requires PDA running Palm OS
 i.e., Palm Pilot, Handspring, Sony - $100-$450
 Install MCTI Palm Software
 Available via free, Internet download at the
following internet site -
http://www.umass.edu/urbantree/mcti
 Data collection via PDA in the field and
download to PC via Palm Synchronization
 Customizing MCTI
 List of individual
surveyors
 Choose selected
Tree Species for your
town
 Enter community ID
(each town has a
unique identifier
number)
Computer Desktop Data Entry Screen
Computer Desktop Recap Screen
PDA Log In Screen
PDA Data Entry Screen
PDA Data Entry Screen
PDA Data Entry Screen
PDA Search Screen
Desktop Search Screen
 Using a PDA in the Field:
Affordable .. and useful programs for
Pocket PCs
 Microsoft Applications
 Pocket Word
 Pocket Excel
 HandBase
 Database development from $40 - $200
 Easy to use
 No programming experience
 Visual CE
 Database development software available for about $50.
 Easy to use
 Using a PDA in the Field:
Affordable .. and useful programs for
Pocket PCs
 Hazard Tree Rating Calculator and Database
 Syncs with Excel or Access
 Based on 12 Point Rating System
 Miscellaneous Programs and Utilities
 Auto Log
 Expense Report
 Checking Register
 Lock Box
Pocket PC Programs
 HandBase Forms
 No programming required
 Create forms for download to Access & Excel
 HandBase Forms
 Download Freeware Templates
Visual CE for Pocket PC
 Create data collection
forms
 Bring database into the
field
Hazard Tree Calculator &
Database
Hazard Tree Calculator &
Database
Other Applications
 For More Information
 Contact:
Dave Bloniarz, USDA Forest Service
 Web site
http://www.umass.edu/urbantree
 E-mail dbloniarz@fs.fed.us

 PDA references from this presentation

http://www.umass.edu/urbantree/maa
In The Palm of Your Hand

New Technology for Commercial

Arborists

David V. Bloniarz
USDA Forest Service,
Northeast Center for Urban & Community Forestry