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SUBJECTIVE:
What
do I want in a Handheld? I want color and sound, and I want the
option of being able to have the unit fit in a dress shirt pocket.
Most of all, I want software that takes advantage of these features.
I want to be able to chart the patient encounter at the point of
care. The Compaq Ipaq can do all of this.
Last year's Compaq iPAQ PocketPC was a great device, but it was not
exactly perfect. For starters, it lacked a built-in expansion slot,
forcing users to slip on bulky Expansion Packs simply to add storage
for files. Battery life was also limited, requiring recharging more
frequently than a cell phone. The Ipaq is certainly no PalmV here!
Battery
life may be critical to you. Palms and certainly non color Palms
have a longer battery life than the color Ce devices. With my Ipaq I
can go 12 hours, but this depends on what exactly a user is
doing. If you are using a PDA to chart one patient after another, parsing and concatenating text,
propagating chart files into PocketWord, IR printing, doing queries and reports on
your handheld, it is going to eat the battery life as compared to a
simple occasional to frequent look up of information. If you value
your data, you should be cradling at night for backup, sync etc in
case of loss/theft. Consequently, it has become irrelevant whether
the battery lasts 12 hours or two weeks, at least for me.
Perhaps the most publicized of the Ipaqs shortcomings had to do with
the infamous "dust" problem that raised questions about the quality
of the iPAQ's design and construction. Personally, I have owned
three Ipaqs to date and have yet to see a speck of dust. Perhaps
ignorance is bliss in my, since I need reading glasses to read
the text on a 3.5.x 2.5 screen! Rather than euthanasia, Compaq
wisely chose some minor surgery to correct the problems, as well as
add a few prosthetic enhancements of its own. The result is
something, more evolutionary than revolutionary, and perhaps that is
sufficient.
OBJECTIVE:
Here
is a list of the
iPAQ 3800's specifications, taken directly from
the Compaq website.
Here is a list of the different Ipaq models
www.digital-doc.com/ipaqspecs.htm
Operating
System: Microsoft Pocket PC 2002
Processor: 206 MHz Intel Strong ARM 32-bit RISC Processor
Display Type: Color reflective thin film transistor (TFT) LCD, 64K
colors
Touch Screen: Yes
Resolution: 240 x 320
Pixel Pitch: .24 mm
Viewable Image Size: 2.26 x 3.02 inches
RAM: 64 MB
ROM: 32 MB
Input Method: Handwriting recognition, soft keyboard, voice record,
inking
Communications Port: Interface with USB / Serial connectivity that
connects via serial or USB cable
Card Slot: SD Memory Slot, Optional expansion packs
Wireless
Connectivity: Infrared port (115 Kbps)
Speaker and Microphone: Yes
Audio Out Jack: Yes (3.5 mm Stereo)
Battery: 1400 mAh Lithium Polymer
Dimensions: 5.3" x 3.3" x .62"
Weight: 6.7 oz.
Warranty: 1-year limited
CNS Brain
and Spinal Cord:
The
iPAQ 3800 series, which is powered by Intel's Strong ARM SA-1110
processor running at 206 MHz, contains 64MB of random access memory
(RAM) and 32MB of read-only memory (ROM), of which 6MB is reserved
for storing your important applications and data in an area called
the iPAQ File Store (and there's an app that allows you to select
what you'd like to store there). Since the File Store is part of
ROM, it's retained even in the case of a loss of power to the unit.
So now you have multiple places to store your programs and files:
Main Memory (RAM), File Store (a section of ROM), and Expansion
Cards.
The Split Brain and the Corpus Collosum: ROM and RAM
ROM:
ROM stands
for Read Only Memory. Inside the PocketPC, ROM is used to store
and run code that makes up the main operating functions, such as
the operating system, of the unit. ROM contains all the software
that's "factory installed" on your Pocket PC. That
includes the operating system, the routines for setting your machine
up when you first turn it on, and any applications that you haven't
loaded yourself. ROM stays intact, even when your battery
is completely drained. It stays even when you perform the
dreaded "hard reset" which reverts your Pocket PC to how
it was when you first turned it on. ROM
contains all the software that's "factory installed" on
your Pocket PC.
The first generation Ipaqs and all second generation
Pocket PCs have "flash ROM." That means the ROM
can actually be changed using the right software. This is
primarily of use in upgrading the operating system or pre-installed
applications to fix bugs or even to add features but each of the
second generation Pocket PCs has also implemented a small portion
of ROM (about 6 MB) which acts like a storage device.
The important thing to remember about this ROM Storage is that it
doesn't disappear even with a hard reset.
RAM: RAM
stands for Random Access Memory. Unlike ROM, which is static, RAM
is memory, which can be written to and read from. RAM is divided
between storing the applications you have installed and the files you
have created in the Main Memory and the memory which programs use when
they're actually running (called Storage Memory and Program Memory respectively).
The contents of RAM are kept when you shut the power off.
If you perform a "soft-reset," the contents of Storage
Memory are intact, but the contents of Program memory are cleared.
If you do a hard-reset, both are gone.
Spinal Cord:
Storage Memory
not only contains the software you've installed and the files you've
created in main memory, it also contains some very important system
files and folders:
The Registry is Windows' all-purpose program information store.
It keeps information on where software has been installed, which
options you've currently selected, and a number of other bits of
information which applications and the operating system itself use.
The Database Folder is where all the information in your Calendar, Contacts,
and Task List is stored. It also has some information which
is used by Inbox.
The Windows Folder is where a number of important operating system files
can be found. This folder is where many applications install
their dll files. It's also where help files for applications
and driver files for some hardware are stored.
The My
Documents Folder is where applications store the files they
create, either in the My Documents Folder proper, or in a sub-folder
of it.
The
Peripheral Nervous System
Storage
Cards: I use to think that 32 Megs was enough. My Casio had 64k.
My first Palm had two Megs. Well, let’s face it, there are some
things in life that you can never get enough of, and memory is certainly
one of them!
I
never cared for the Ipaq’s bulky sleeves. They were tolerable in
a lab coat but that is about it. Fortunately, that scenario has
options with the new Ipaqs. (If you are using a wireless PCMCIA
card, you will still need the sleeve).
Pocket
PCs all have some means of adding additional memory cards, which
act somewhat like floppy disk, zip drives (or other removable media)
drives on your desktop. Applications can generally be installed
onto Storage Cards and applications are also able to save files
on Storage Cards. As with RAM Storage Memory, applications
will save files to the Storage Card. (for example, I have
6 Skyscape applications on my 64 Meg SD card with 47.89 Megs free).
Storage Cards not only add to the amount of storage you have in
your RAM Storage area, they also don't require power to keep
that information, nor are they erased even with a hard reset. I
keep all my skyscape products on storage cards when installation
allows. My SD storage cards is very simple to work with.
Applications install with ease and drag and drop of files onto the
card is extremely friendly and easy with AS Explorer.
In
regards to the lack of a built-in expansion slot, Compaq decided
to gamble on the future. While CompactFlash still dominates the
"small storage" arena, Compaq chose instead to add a Secure
Digital (SD) slot to the so-called "Naked iPAQ," an excellent
strategy given that iPAQ owners can still use a CompactFlash Expansion
Pack to enable their CF cards and accessories until the proliferation
of Secure Digital.
Compaq's
decision to add an SD rather than a CF slot is something that the
other Pocket PC licensees struggled with as well, since we're nearing
a transition period--from CF to SD--for small storage formats. Hewlett
Packard considered SD but chose CompactFlash for its new Jornada,
and instead will release an SD add-on "sled." Newcomer
Toshiba, meanwhile, decided to hedge all bets and incorporated both
an SD and a CF slot into its new Pocket PC.
The
iPAQ 3800 series' cradle comes with a unique Y-connector that terminates
in both a serial and a USB connector, making it easy to connect
to either a USB port on a Windows 2000 desktop computer or a serial
port on a Windows NT 4.0 desktop computer without having to have
two cradles. I have a cradle for work and bought an extra sync cable
for home at $25
Temporal
Lobes of Speech and Audition:
The
iPAQ produces the highest quality sound of all the Pocket PCs that
I have seen or owned, from both its monophonic external speaker
and its stereo headphone jack. It's easily the loudest and thanks
to a built-in equalizer, which allows bass and treble to be controlled
through the Compaq Audio settings panel, the iPAQ produces excellent
stereo sound through a set of headphones with minimal distortion,
popping or hissing. The speaker now moves from behind the five-way
navigation pad to the top of the device. The new location opens
the door for cellular phone attachments to be added to the iPAQ.
Though the microphone is still located on the top, adding a small
microphone versus a speaker to an expansion module is much easier.
It
is very convenient and easy to dictate a note about a patient for
retrieval later by clicking on the record button. (see picture below).
These notes are stored as wave files and you can direct their storage
destination on the Ipaq. I designate my waves to the chart subdirectory
of my Ipaq. Since they automatically synchronized with the PC they
can be reviewed on the Ipaq or the PC.
Speech
to Text:
I yearn for this! The fact is that it is here now, sort of. While
experimenting with a beta program from MS, I can use my Ipaq with
speech to text but the catch is that I need a wireless card in my
Ipaq and I must communicate and
utilize my XP desktop machine with Office XP to make it work. On
the upside, I have been talking with companies that have beta SDK
available and speech to text dictation on the iPaq alone looks very
incipient.
The
record button is a great tool for a quick note on a patient that
can be incorporated in text at a later time. Speech to text
is what I am anxious about. The ability to dictate a history would
be a great benefit that would surely compliment the use of pop up
list boxes and quickly create comprehensive documentation on the
go.
Cardio
Vascular Battery:
Compaq
addressed the battery life concerns by replacing last year's 950
mAh Lithium polymer battery with a 1400 mAh battery, which theoretically
should add a couple of hours of additional power. My experience
demonstrates that this is true. Compaq has managed to increase the
capacity of the battery without increasing its dimensions. Instead
of 8 hours of battery life, Compaq says you should now be able to
get up to 10 hours. With the larger 1400mAh lithium ion battery,
Compaq claims a 20 percent increase in battery life over the 10
hours of its predecessor.
Compaq
did not see fit to make the iPAQ's Lithium polymer battery user
replaceable, which definitely gives the Hewlett Packard Jornada
560 series an advantage in this area. Depending on where you
are this could be critical factor. In my private practice,
I can just recharge at lunch. It seems like I can do a full recharge
in less than hours. With an extra battery, this would a non sequitur.
Integument:
The
iPAQ 3800 series Pocket PC also comes with a protective cover (see
picture below) that slips on like an Expansion Pack. It's extremely
lightweight (so don't expect it to protect your iPAQ during a fall)
and can be adjusted for use by right or left-handed users. The portion
that covers the screen is made of hard transparent black plastic.
It's a wonderful extra whose only downside is that it easily picks
up fingerprints and scratches. By sticking with essentially the
same design as that of the H3600 series, the H3800 has the advantage
of being compatible with existing iPaq sleeves, allowing users to
add CompactFlash memory cards and PC Card modems, among other accessories.
Personally, I don't even use it. I don't want the extra bulk.
PDA
Holder:
There
are plenty of cases available to hold PDAs. They come in all types
and can be quite expensive. I use a $15 camera case by
OP/Tech USA.
The case is extremely light and can clip on a belt or smock. Best
yet, it is made of a very cushy neoprene foam material that
has some cushion and will protect the screen. You won’t find
cushion in an expensive hard leather case. I prefer to use my dress
shirt pocket, (Ipaq fits quite well) but inevitably it eventually
slips out and falls to the ground, hence the convenient and
economical holder.
(yes, I even manage to drop the case!)
Actually, I still use my shirt pocket to hold my Palmm505. For real
excitement, I sometimes switch ;-)
Occipital
Lobes of Visual Color
The
iPAQ 3800 has arguably the best screen of any current PDA, despite
the fact that all of the new Pocket PCs have gone to similar reflective
TFTs. Not only does it provide a larger viewable area (2.26"
x 3.02"), it also produces noticeably richer, deeper colors
than competing units. The iPAQ's switch from 12-bit to 16-bit color
is most noticeable when viewing pictures, which now have less color
banding and appear more natural than on last year's 3600 series.
Also,
the iPAQ's sidelight provides even light distribution across the
LCD panel, unlike the unevenness of other Pocket PCs. The
intensity of the sidelight can be adjusted in two ways. One way
is to let the ipaq’s ambient light sensor handle it for you. The
other way is to use the Backlight Brightness setting panel to adjust
it yourself.
And
best of all, Compaq seems to have resolved the annoying dust problem
that plagued earlier models, while some Jornada owners are beginning
to report the problem with their new 560s.
- Windows CE version 3.0
Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 Calendar, Contacts, Tasks,
Voice Recorder, Notes, Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Pocket Internet
Explorer, Windows Media Player, Calculator, Solitaire, Inbox,
Microsoft Reader
- Picture Viewer
Used to look at X-Rays, MRI, patients, anatomy, exercises, and all sorts of other
educational material.
- IPAQ Task Manager This applet can be used to see what is opened
and close what you want to close.
- Microsoft Outlook 2002 I absolutely love it. How else
am I going to remember my wife’s birthday or my anniversary unless
it rings on my Ipaq and my desktop!
- Microsoft ActiveSync 3.5 An absolute must. Active sync can transfer
any file you want from your desktop to your PocketPC. When a user
Opens AS and clicks the Tools, Options and Files all files that
the user has saved in the custom folder on their desktop synchronizes
with the PocketPC. This can be pictures, documents, pdf files
or whatever you want. While not quite a zip disk, the Ipaq can
act like one.
- Connection Wizard (download)
Microsoft Money for Pocket PC (download)
Microsoft Reader with ClearType for Pocket PC (download)
Microsoft Reader Activation Pack (download)
Microsoft Reader Books
Microsoft Reader with ClearType for the PC (download)
IBM Embedded ViaVoice Mobility Suite
iPresentation Mobile Converter LE
WordLogic Keyboard
Asset Viewer
Quick View Plus for Windows CE
Compaq Dashboard
Microsoft Pocket Streets (download)
Callex PocketPC with ETPlayer - Voicemail
Microsoft Pocket PC Games (download)
Microsoft Windows Media Player 7.1 for Windows (download)
Synovial's Virtual Game Gear Sega emulator
Audible Player by Audible, Inc. (download)
JeodeRuntime Java environment Allows you to run Java applets (they
mention games in particular) from within a Pocket Internet Explorer
screen.
Ilium Software eWallet (Professional Edition)
Ilium Software ListPro (Professional Edition)
Enhance iTask: Download StarTap! (Trial Version)
Afaria
- Conduit Peacemaker Professional
This program can beam to a Palm when needed.
Peacemaker enables Pocket PC users to beam
information to and from a wide range of PDA devices or IR-equipped
desktop and notebook computers! Just point and beam -- Peacemaker
will add contacts to your address book, seamlessly and
automatically. (www.conduits.com/ce/peacemaker/index.htm)
- Compaq WL110 Wireless LAN PC Card drivers
needed to use your Ipaq to connect to another desktop computer.
- Microsoft Windows Media Player 8 for Pocket PC Used to listen to wave
files which may be notes on patients
- Microsoft Transcriber: I can’t imagine not using Handwriting
recognition. Transcriber analyzes
pen strokes written in any application window, converts the pen
strokes into text and sends the recognized text to a target
application. I like Graffiti, but this makes Graffiti obsolete.
This program not only recognizes print but perhaps even more accurately
one’s handwriting with about 96% accuracy. A user can write anywhere
on the screen, and the text will fill in the appropriate text
box in a software program. Tip: Write with a size 12 font for
greater accuracy.
Calligraphy
is not included with this unit and is third party software (www.paragraph.com)
but is a program worth looking at because of Pen Commander.
CalliGrapher 6.0 with PenCommander—lets you create
your own custom scripts (macros) to add personalized text and customized
edit functions. You can start programs or produce memorized text
by simply drawing a circle around a command word you have created.
This feature is great for standard medical procedures often used
or any repeated procedure, signature, opening another medical program
from within any program or a quick way to write templated answers.
For example, when I want to request authorization for an MRI, for
a work related injury, I simply Transcribe MRI and draw a circle
around the word itself and the following custom text is written:
“I am respectfully requesting that this patient receive authorization
for the following test/procedure:” Likewise the word “epidural”
with a circle around it could result in the following macro
text of: ”Risks and benefits of epidural steroid injections were
discussed in detail with the patient. These included but were
not limited to dural puncture with headache, epidural hemorrhage,
hematoma formation requiring evacuation/decompression surgery, interneural
injection
with neuropathy, spinal anesthesia requiring ventilatory and circulatory
support, hypotension, tingling/numbness dysthesia, seizure from
intravascular injection of local anesthetic and lack of clinical
benefit following procedure. The patient has a good understanding
of these risks and benefits as well as alternative methods of treatment
and wishes to proceed.”
Bottom
line is the users can custom any text they want and reproduce it
at will. Who needs a keyboard or dictation? It can be better than
dictation in some cases.
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 (download) Access the internet via
your cradle or wirelessly.
- F-Secure File Crypto for Pocket PC Personal Edition (download) Helps
with HIPAA requirements of security issues.
ASSESSMENT:
Microsoft
is supposed to release its speech dictation application, the MSR
Power Toy. The application, which allows users to literally talk
to their pocket PCs, will be provided free with the iPAQ. I
took this off the MS website but have yet to see it. Anyway, in
order to facilitate the speech-to-text processing of this new application,
iPAQ users will be required to install an 802.11b wireless modem.
The end user would also need to install a similar modem on the desktop
PC, which would carry out the bulk of the translation work. The
iPAQ itself will be unable to perform this task. Microsoft's new
Office XP and Speech API would come in handy, as these are pre-loaded
with a speech engine.
I
am using a beta of speech software now that allows me to use my
Ipaq while in the USB cradle or with a wireless NIC card, while
exploiting the speech engine capabilities of my Office 2002 XP and
Windows XP.
IBM
Voice Command And Control, comes on the CD and lets you dictate
commands to your Calendar, Contacts, and In-box. I fail to find
this useful because it only works with the native applets. If it
would work with other software it could be extremely useful, for
example to call up a patients name in a list box or the results
of lab tests etc. There is also a special data-encryption package,
the Insignia Java Virtual Machine, and other useful software included
on the CD-ROM.
Although there may be miniscule differences between the all the new
Pocket PCs when it comes to benchmark results, in real world usage
there is little difference--all of the new Pocket PCs are fast,
friendly and efficient.
Activities of
Daily Living:
Medical
Software:
I have 64 MB internally and another 128 on my SD card. The software that I use daily on my Ipaq is my own charting EMR
software
www.digital-doc.com complemented by
Skyscape DrDrugs,
5MCC2002, A2zDrugs &
iFacts™, 5MOrtho and 5MSports,
medical calculator and Merck Manual.
I use VisualCe (www.syware.com)
and sometimes
Handango's
med section as well. I have journal abstracts delivered through
AvantGo, a reading list of full-text journal articles in PDF format
for my Adobe reader, and PowerPoint medical presentations, plus other
smaller reference programs, with room to spare on my 64MB for the
daily paper and a few e-books. I use Allscripts Touchworks (www.allscripts.com)
for exercises and anatomical educational pictures as well I frequently
download pictures from the internet and drag and drop them into
my Ipaq when I think they will benefit my patient’s education. Patients
seem to love to see pictures and are fascinated by gadgets. I really
think the PDA benefits patient compliance if no other reason they
just remember the little colorful handheld computer!
Medicalpocketpc is an excellent source of software for the
PocketPC environment.
Pdamd and
Handheldmed have offerings as well.
I programmed one of my navigation control buttons
to open the software that I use most frequently,
Digital-Doc. The navigation
button in the middle of the unit that I read “Gamers” talk about,
is really quite useful. I use it to scroll through various
medical applications both vertically and horizontally. Depending
on the application, it can really speed up navigation without ever
having to use the stylus. It took me months before I even touched
this useful button!
PocketPC vs the Palm:
No discussion on the Ipaq or PocketPC would be
complete without a paragraph or two on software and the Palm
Handheld. I love the Palm and still keep my Palmm505 synched right
next to my Ipaq. I always felt that in the vertical field of
medicine, that color and sound would make any application better.
Palm did not seem to care, at least for years. Consequently, I
migrated to the Ce camp only to find that there was no software!
After a couple of years of frustration, I tried programming myself,
starting with MS Access, FoxPro, Visual Basic and some Delphi. Code
Warrior for the Palm OS was never a choice since code only had hooks
for color but the hardware was not there at the time. When MS
released their free SDK kit, I downloaded it. As I discovered in the
past, running a full time practice and programming does not make for
a symbiotic relationship and in fact a parasitic one!
Today, Palm remains the undisputed leader with respect to
the plethora of software available. However, there is no paucity
of medical programs for the PocketPC as of this writing. Perhaps
the real question is: Why choose a PocketPC over a Palm device?
Here is my two cents. Briefly, it is because the PocketPC is more
robust than the Palm OS. The PocketPC can offer more sophisticated
applications in part, because of the ARM's power. The PocketPC is much more
than a medical reference tool. The PocketPC, with its Strong Arm
Processor, is more capable of running a full fledged multitasking,
multithreading EMR program than the Palm OS. The Palm can not multi-task
or multithread at all!
Color (16-bit) is now essentially standard, superior sound, a faster
Processor, more RAM, and a better symbiotic relationship
with Windows desktop machine applications like Word, Excel, Access,
and Outlook. Arguably, corporate enterprise users (including hospitals
and private offices) find a closer affinity to the Microsoft-dominated
PC world. Palm has acknowledged for more than a year that it needs
to move its operating system to ARM to give its handhelds the megahertz
kick necessary to create applications, which can compete with Microsoft-based
devices using the same chip.
Palm applications in general are still faster to execute.
This is in part because they are more linear, with no multitasking
or multithreading and lack bloated code. PocketPC applications are infamous for being slower
and larger. However, even if PocketPC applications are double the
size of the Palm, let's do the math. With the average skyscape
application approximating 3MB for the Palm and 6MB for the PocketPC,
you can get 5.33 apps. on your 16MB Palm and 10.66 on the 64MB
PocketPC. That's a two to one ration for the PPC!
On the surface, you might wonder how can a 33MHz Dragonball
be faster than a 206 MHz StrongArm Processor. I believe there are
number of reasons for this seemingly paradox. I don't profess to
know the answer.
- I believe some PocketPC apps load slower because of the runtime engine
overhead. Once the engine is loaded, subsequent accesses is faster.
I know this is true with the software I use,
Digital-Doc.
- Bloated code used by MS, designed to appeal to multiple multiprocessors
is not as tight a code used for Palm applications. Taking
advantage of color and sound is taken into consideration. Remember,
applications written are still using code that was designed for
different processors such as Hitachi,
NEC, Motorola, and StrongArm. Now MS has designated Strong
Arm and only StrongArm.
- Multitasking and multithreading are part of the overhead. We live in a world where doctors
need and want to do more than one thing at the same time.
Multitasking makes this possible. With my Palm software, I would
have toggle one application to open another. Then when returning
to the Palm application I am at the beginning of the
application. While acceptable, this is not
the case with the PocketPC OS. No matter how deep I am in the
application, I can return to the same section. Who wants to toggle great Palm
applications like “Shots, Med Rules, and
StatCoder any way?” ;-)
With my PocketPC, I can have LexiDrugs open as well as my own
software Digital-Doc, educational pictures, 5mCC, 5mSports Consult,
5mOrtho Consult and others. I can jump from one to the other with
just a tap. There is no need to close and restart the application
as with Palm. I know Skyscape has links but you get the idea.
With the Palm
moving to StrongArm in the near future, this will result in an
emulation layer needed for backward compatibility for some
applications. This has to slow down the Palm by adding to its
overhead. Never the less, all in all this is good news, in my
opinion, for Palm applications of the future! This is important,
as the Palm is a great machine with a great philosophy of making
technology simple. If it weren’t for the deserved and continued success of Palm,
I seriously doubt that there would be an Ipaq today.
OS
Learning Curve: It has been said that the PocketPC Operating System is more complicated
to learn compared to the PalmOS. I agree. It is about 15 minutes
more complicated ;-)
PLAN:
Desktop
Folder for Synchrony:
When Active Sync is installed, the user has the option of synchronizing
files as well as Contacts, Calendar, Notes, Tasks etc. When “Files”
is checked, a special shortcut is made on the Windows Desktop of
the PC. This shortcut leads to a folder in My Documents of the PC.
This folder is extremely convenient for dragging and dropping any
file that you want to synchronize with your Ipaq. Just put the file
in the folder and it will automatically sync next time your put
your Ipaq in the cradle. You can of course customize this folder
with subfolders with medical pictures or documents etc. All will
be neatly synchronized and organized on the PocketPC in the “my
documents” folder. In essence, the folder on the desktop pc and
the ipaq simply mirror each other.
802.11
Wireless: My Ipaq 3800 has a Silver Orinoco card in my sleeve. The
sleeve comes with a built in battery. The sleeve and Ipaq
together constitute the infamous "Brick." At home, I have a
Linksys Access Point (BEFW11S4) with shared DSL. At work I have a
Lucent RG1000 Access Point with shared DSL. Both are 802.11b. I use
both setups seamlessly changing my network setting defaults for work
and home on my Ipaq.
I can wirelessly print charts (prescriptions) to shared printers
over the network or send my charts to my server for my
secretary to print. There are several third party printing
software companies such as:
1.
Anycom
2.
PrintPocketCe
3.
PrintBoy
None of these
software printing packages will allow html printing at this time,
although I have been assured from each vendor that that will change
in the near future. All 3 of these packages have a trial download. I
have only used PrintPocketCE.
I can Active Sync at theoretical 11Mbps instead of the slower USB
speeds.
I can share my DSL connection on my Ipaq, surfing the net and
sending email but this get old real fast on a 3 inch screen. I found
out that built in Explorer does not allow me to open files across my
network but only view them. Other third party Explorers do allow a
user to open files. Rescoe File Explorer is one example.
The number 802.11 is based on a wireless Lan Standard. IEEE 802.11b
compliant products use RF technology operating in the 2.4-GHz frequency
band to wirelessly connect PCs, laptops, and other portables to
a larger network, providing all of the benefits of mobile data access.
The primary difficulty is RF interference. The 2.4-GHz frequency
band is rife with potential interferences, including other networking
solutions such as Bluetooth and HomeRF; other methods of communications
like cordless phones; and other devices like microwave ovens.
Alternatively, the new IEEE 802.11a standard is making its
entry into this rapidly evolving market. IEEE 802.11a uses the unlicensed
5-GHz spectrum, "avoiding the crowds" by minimizing interference
due to competing emitters in the same frequency range. The intrinsic
benefits of wireless networking in the 5-GHz band lie in its five-fold
increase in data rates, large-scale deployment capabilities, greatly
enhanced network capacity, and comparable coverage range. Broadband
wireless networking, implemented in the 5-GHz spectrum, offers a
five-fold data-rate increase over current 2.4-GHz standards.
www.digital-doc.com/wireless.html
The IEEE 802.11 working group has tentatively set a new 802.11 wireless
networking standard: 802.11g, which will allow theoretical data
transfer rates of up to 54Mbps in the 2.4GHz spectrum. 802.11g is
backwardly compatible with existing 802.11b-based networking kit,
a major advantage for the standard. The (other) next generation
standard, 802.11a, is not.
Bluetooth:
3870 model Ipaqs, have Bluetooth built in. I did not buy the 3870
because I figured I would use wireless instead of Bluetooth
because of distance and speed advantage. I also figured I would be
using an XScale model with built in Bluetooth. Well, for $50 more,
now I have my doubts.
Look for Bluetooth to serve
as a low-cost replacement for wireless networks based on the IrDA
standards. Expect Bluetooth to serve as a link for data transfers
between PDAs to PCs and laptop computers. Bluetooth
is a Radio Frequency (RF) specification operating in the 2.45 GHz
frequency band. It is designed to provide communication between
devices at up to a 10m radius through solid, non-metal objects for
both voice and data transfer. It is based on a low-cost, short-range
radio link and the objective is to enable dozens of different types
of devices with a Bluetooth radio.
Bluetooth wireless technology is a de facto standard, as well as
a specification for small-form factor, low-cost, short-range radio
links between mobile PCs, mobile phones and other portable devices.
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group is an industry group that is
driving development of the technology and bringing it to market.
Bluetooth will enable such technologies as dial-up networking, file
transfer, object push, synchronization, and LAN connection as well
as wireless communication with cellular phones, laptops, printers and other
devices.
Bluetooth.com
Terminal
Server:
The
idea of a Terminal Server is like the terminal bud of a plant. Combine
the word terminal with server and what you have is a mirror of the
server at the termination or end point, in this case the Ipaq. It is the concept of workstation
and server, client and host. At one time, I had visions of running
my PC desktop server software program via Terminal Server on my
Ipaq. At the time, I figured that if I could not find Ce applications
that I liked, I would bring the desktop applications to the CE device!
While this is still possible with both Citrix and TS, I no longer
have this burning desire. I have used my 3800 with the included Terminal
Services Client in conjunction with Windows XP Professional and
Remote Desktop. I can connect to my Windows XP desktop with my Ipaq
in the cradle or even better wirelessly! I can in fact run actual windows
applications right on my Ipaq! TS enables an application's user
interface, as well as keystrokes and stylus movements, to be
transported to and from the client over standard network protocols.
The application is actually run on the desktop but is extremely fast
on the Ipaq because only screen shots and stylus movements are
transported. The lateral scrolling and panning involved with trying to
make an application designed for a PC monitor fit on a small handheld
screen is just not viable for me, at least with pertinence to medical
applications. The "Thrill factor" lasts about 4 inches ;-). I suppose there is a value for administrating a
desktop using the Ipaq with TS and Virtual Private Network (VPN), but that is another subject.
X-Scale
or 3rd Generation PocketPC: I
can’t wait for this technology.
In fact, if you want to go to Japan, you
can buy an XScale 400 MHz Toshiba today 4/20/02. Devices using Microsoft's Pocket PC
operating system could get a speed and power boost as Intel starts
shipping the first chips using its XScale architecture, the
successor to the StrongARM chips used in nearly all Pocket PC-based
devices. Sources say manufacturers should be able to introduce
products using XScale later this quarter 2001! Users of this new generation of
highly scalable, integrated microprocessors will enjoy high-performance
processing functions, such as voice and secure data on enterprise
infrastructure equipment. High performance for handheld devices
is in the 300 to 400-MHz range for processing hungry applications
such as streaming audio and video. The Intel XScale microarchitecture
pushes RISC performance to new heights, allowing complex data to
be processed over both the wired and wireless Internet. The microarchitecture's
low power consumption enables long battery life for wireless and
handheld multimedia devices, and allows for increased device density
in Internet infrastructure applications through reduced thermal
constraints. The Intel® XScale™ microarchitecture delivers key advantages
for a wide range of market segments from battery-powered, wireless
and handheld applications such as digital phones and personal digital
assistants to such Internet infrastructure applications as network
processors and intelligent I/O processors. Fully compliant with
the
ARM* v.5TE instruction set, this new microarchitecture provides
a full-featured, cost-effective, low-power solution with support
for both 16-bit Thumb* instructions and integrated digital signal
processor (DSP) instructions. The Intel XScale microarchitecture
will break new ground in the devices that expand the future of the
Internet.
Building on Intel® StrongARM* technology, the Intel XScale
microarchitecture core is manufactured on Intel’s advanced 0.18
micron process technology. It offers low power features ranging from
one ten-thousandth of a watt to 1.6 watts, and performance
capabilities that allow it to operate at clock speeds spanning from
zero (standby mode) up to 1 GHz.
The
Plan for PPC and X-Scale
Beaming:
I have not tried this feature on
my new Ipaq, but I will have to. The obvious feature here is to
share patient information via beaming. Next month is my wife's birthday
and I need to have a
beaming relationship, as I bought her an Ipaq. I don't know if
synchronizing calendars is the right thing to do, contacts beaming
might work. She despises me being on the computer so much. Maybe if
I beam her something nice. This could really backfire, perhaps the
equivalent of buying her a vacuum ; - )
IR Printing:
MS did not include any printing drivers with the OS. This is good
for news for third party companies like
PrinterCe.
Generally I print from my Desktop after active sync has done its
job. On occasion I will print to an HP 2100 IR LaserJet, just to
impress a recipient. I had a case manager in my office a few months
back to consult on a work related injury patient. Typically reports
are due by law every 45 days. To make a long story short, 45 days
became 30 seconds!
If
you haven’t felt the adrenaline rush of losing or thinking you
have lost all your data, you have not lived a full life ; -)
I would
like to suggest a fix that work flawlessly for me (after one crying
session). Use the SD card with the 3800 series or get an add-on
sleeve (PC Card or Compactflash) and a CF card as big as the memory
in your iPAQ--bigger still if possible--and use the CF Backup utility
included with your iPAQ to do a full backup.
If you crash, you just restore and off you go. Not perfect, but
it works. Don't forget to back up often to keep the blood
pressure and stroke risk in check ;-)
Pros:
Multitasking Arm processor
Plenty
of medical software available
Transcriber for Handwriting recognition
Built in SD expansion slot
Screen is better sealed - dust issue appears to be resolved
Beautiful 65,000+ color screen ideal for medical pictures and
software
Sound is fine for dictation
Redesigned stylus won't allow improper insertion
New hard cover case allows for sleek screen protection
Excellent batch of 3rd party software included on CD
OS much like popular Windows desktop
Cons:
OS much
like popular Windows desktop (see above) ;-)
No
speech to text software
New
sync/power port, which means old accessories won't work
Lacking native printer drivers for Ir printing
Arguably not economical for a device with a medically usable life
span of 24 months
Conclusion:
The
Compaq combines looks, performance and expandability. By retaining
the finer points of previous iPAQ models while addressing the nagging
problems that plagued them, Compaq has evolutionized rather than
revolutionized its iPAQ line, and that's all that was needed to
be done until ubiquitous high-speed wireless networks, X-Scale and
speech to text technology become a reality.
The
Ipaq PocketPC is a great little device that can serve the vertical
field of medicine very well. Software is abundant and OS stability
is not an issue. The learning curve is fast, especially if you are
familiar with the Windows Desktop operating system and the prices
are in sync with color Palm devices. You won’t find a more robust
handheld multitasking unit than the PocketPC, and the Ipaq is a
good choice.
Disclosure: As CEO of Digital-Doc, I have a
financial interest in
Digital-Doc Software. Digital-Doc
is my web site. Dr. Wilkerson is chiropractor, who has a
full time practice in Carson California at
Carson Doctors Group.
C.M.Wilkerson,
D.C.
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