GeoPad(TM)
Information Technology for Field Science Education and Research
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GeoPad(TM)Information Technology for Field Science Education and Research
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Old Evaluation Information...Summer 2005 Evaluation
Summer 2004 EvaluationWe are back from our Summer 2004 field season, where GeoPads and GeoPockets were evaluated in four courses, including increased integration in our senior-level field geology course, and first-time integration in our two introductory geology sections and our upper-level environmental science course. Probably of interest to most folks, however, is the impending release of brighter display technologies. Compared to our initial batch of 2003 iX104s, the soon to be available AllVue version of the iX104 and the latest Panasonic Toughbook 18 both offer significantly brighter displays. They presented no difficulty when reading text (e.g., field notes and sketches in Windows Journal or OneNote) or general maps (e.g., highway maps, topographic maps) in full daylight; however, even with the increased brightness, gray-scale aerial photos were still somewhat of a challenge in the brightest conditions. Changing color-schemes or adjusting the contrast of the photo can help increase its legibility, but at the expense of easily recognizable realism in the photo. Xplore Technolgoies iX104'sSince our acquisition of seven iX104 units in Summer 2003, Xplore has modified their product line to offer two classes of iX104 units, the "R" and the "T" models. The units we have been using for GeoPads -- iX104 with no letter suffix -- are equivalent to the current iX104T. The difference in ruggedness between the R and T mostly has to do with water resistance ratings, and we feel the more inexpensive iX104R model is sufficiently rugged (and water resistant) for our field needs. This summer one of our units was put to the water-resistance test when a student tripped crossing a river, and ended up fully submerging their GeoPad. While the students belongings and pride were certainly dampened, the iX104 and Earthmate GPS continued to work through-out and after the ordeal. One minor problem the cropped up this year was with the iX104 batteries. They turned out to be from a bad batch, and Xplore replaced them immediately, all free of charge. The main symptom we observed was that batteries were only lasting a few hours, rather than the five-plus hours we had become used to. In addition, two batteries failed to charge at all and a third swelled up and popped open its case. Panasonic Toughbook 18The Panasonic Corporation has generously loaned us a Toughbook 18 unit that we have been evaluating since March 2004. For our evaluation purposes, we applied the criteria discussed above and compared it with one of our iX104-based GeoPads from last summer. We are currently awaiting a Toughtbook 18 with the integrated GPS option. Overall the ergonomics of the Panasonic were considered poor compared to the iX104. The "feel" of the unit was also flimsy compared to the iX104, however, we had no problems with it breaking during regular use. Using the unit in "laptop" mode, with its keyboard exposed, was not necessitated by any of our field activities, and it was not possible to travel with the unit in that configuration. It might be more appropriate for activities where you spend significant amounts of time at a few locations, rather than being on the move. It was also considered useful by the instructional staff to have a keyboard for evening activities, such as drafting assignment text, etc., and, the Panasonic was considered easier to use that way then an iX104 with a portable USB keyboard attached. Maybe get iX104's for students and Panasonics for instructors? Summer 2003 Evaluation
Xplore Technologies iX104The iX104 offered superior capabilities in a number of the above categories. Key specifications of the iX104 TabletPC include:
The batteries were recharged in the evenings in the campground using a portable generator, or when operating out of Camp Davis, in the classroom itself. We selected an ultra-quiet, electronic-equipment-sensitive generator, a Honda EU 2000i, to minimize the impact on our solitude and protect the equipment. Automobile chargers, for use in the cigarette lighters, are also available for the iX104, either as part of a vehicle dock or separately; though such chargers were not available at the time of the pilot.
The iX104, as well as other announced field-durable TabletPCs, offer integrated GPS units; however, the iX104's version was not available for evaluation during the pilot. When released, it is expected to be based on the low-power consumption SiRF Star II chipset. Instead, for the pilot study, we used the Delorme Earthmate USB GPS receiver. It clipped easily to the shoulder strap of the hands-free harness (or a backpack strap) using a Garmin eTrex GPS case. The USB cable connecting the GPS to the tablet was run along the harness strap, and excess cable was stuffed into the GPS case. The cable didn't get in the way too much, however, it did add to the "clutter" as one took the harness on and off. Highlights of the feedback received on this GeoPad configuration from GS-440 students and instructors during Summer 2003 include:
We were very happy with this configuration overall. The biggest problem was screen visibility around noon, and that will be addressed with the continuing evolution of display technologies. Walkabout Hammerhead XRT
GeoPad Platforms (TabletPCs)The target date for ordering the ruggedized TabletPCs for use in the Summer 2003 Field Geology Pilot was April 1st, 2003; we needed the units in hand no later than June 1st, 2003 for configuration and final testing. Of the following companies, only Xplore Technologies and Walkabout could meet that date. The remaining companies in the list below are expected to all be shipping at least one ruggedized Windows XP TabletPC product in quantity by the end of 2003. Evaluation Criteria:
Hardware Evaluated:
GeoPocket Platforms (PocketPC PDAs)Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) can also provide a platform for field-based science. Reflective of their reduced hardware and software capabilities, in comparison to TabletPCs, we've dubbed this approach the "GeoPocket". While tasks such as geologic mapping can be accomplished on the GeoPocket, we found that it required more familiarity with the subject matter and task skills than was desirable for educational settings; mostly due to lack of context resulting from limited screen real-estate. Therefore, we believe GeoPocktes are best suited for situations in which field work is focused mostly on data collection, and advanced data manipulation and analysis are carried out by other means. We are currently working with HP evaluating various iPAQ units and GPS systems as GeoPocket units. (We are using ArcPad as the GIS software.) Initial results indicate:
Hardware:
GPS ReceiversThe integrated GPS receiver for the iX104 was not available in time for our summer 2003 field trials, so we went with the DeLorme Earthmate USB. This required a cable going from the Earthmate (clipped to the shoulder strap of the GeoPad's carrying harness or the student's backpack) to the iX104, which presented only minor difficulty when taking the equipment off. Evaluation Criteria
Hardware
Wireless Networking TechnologiesWe have been exploring three main applications of wireless technology:
There main limitations currently on such activities are the range, cost, and availability of wireless services. We have experimented with a variety of wireless technologies, and provide some general comments on their characteristics and applicability below:
PrintersAccess to a color printer can be very useful when in the field. We have been using a color inkjet printer in the field for several printing purposes:
While we consider it important to have a weather-proof printing product for most of these purposes, we have been unable to locate an inexpensive solution so far. Our current strategy revolves around inexpensive InkJet technology, and simply reprinting water-damaged (e.g., rain, river, or sweat) products as soon as possible. Hardware:
Note that inkjet printing is generally not water-proof or eraser-proof. Hence, we generally have students work with water-proof ink on a sheet of Mylar overlain on inkjet products (paper or overhead sheets), and carry it all around inside a Plexiglas map-board. If the product gets wet, then we have plenty of spares on hand to replace it with. Stereoscopic Viewing
Backup StrategiesWorking with computers in the field is no different than working anywhere else, it is essential that you backup your data regularly. When teaching field courses, it is also often nice to have archival backups of students' progress each day. Furthermore, should equipment fail, you need to be able to either restore the equipment quickly or configure new equipment to be in a state as close as possible to when the failure occurred. Our typical field course backup strategy involves copying the appropriate personal geo-database file and notes folder from a GeoPad whenever we encounter a group of students in the field. Those are the two areas where student's observations are recorded, whereas the reminder of the files are common and can be restored from a master copy if necessary. We may not meet up with each student everyday in the field, however, so we also make a copy of each students' files in the evening at camp. We have explore two strategies for backing up student data in the field. First, you can simply use a USB Flash Drive to transfer data from the students' GeoPads, however, this requires interrupting their work when you meet them in the field. Our second strategy, while more complex, is less obtrusive. It uses wireless networking (usually 802.11, though Bluetooth or IR will work as well with proper configuring). Basically we send the GeoPads into the field with their wireless network cards turned on (which does drain the batteries faster), configured for an ad-hoc 802.11 network, and their appropriate data locations shared over the network. Whenever we encounter students, then we can browse to their data and copy it to our unit; all with minimal interruption to either student or instructor work. (The wireless approach presents a potential security risk if done in populated places where others maybe around with wireless devices.) In the event of equipment failure, we can restore a GeoPad from a Ghost image of a pristine loaded unit; this is also a good way to duplicate your particular customizations across multiple GeoPads rapidly. We then load the appropriate data for the current project from DVD/CD-ROM or a USB flash drive, the later being much more efficient for field-usage.
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[updated 18 May 2007] | |
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