EpiHandy MobileClient
From EpiHandy
Contents |
About the documentation
We are actively moving all documentation over to this website and into wiki format for easy update and management for the future. This is a big undertaking, so please bear with us while we undergo this excercise.
The previous PDF manual can be found at: http://www.epihandy.org/images/e/eb/EpiHandy_UserManual_1_1.pdf
Screenshots
Introduction
The actual tool used to collect responses to questions is EpiHandy MobileClient. This is a small program that is specially designed for handheld computers.
Taking a survey on the EpiHandy - MobileClient is easy; a user merely taps the screen to answer the question.
The user interface (screen) of EpiHandy MobileClient is fast and responsive, with structured easy-to-navigate layout. The user can freely move forward and back through survey question
Users can collect data for days at a time before coming into office to upload data, the limiting factor being amount of storage memory installed on the handheld, maximum 2GB (Gigabyte) which is plenty for basically any purpose.
Expansion options supported
EpiHandy currently includes built-in support for GPS (global positioning system) and digital image capture. Future release are planned to include support for sound recording, barcode scanners, biometric identification and other input devices i.e. blood sugar tester.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
A GPS is a unit the size of a small mobile phone that calculates the exact geographical position based on signals received from up to 12 satellites. If a GPS is connected to the handheld EpiHandy - MobileClient can automatically record the visited locations. The position of each sample can later be projected onto a map using most mapping programs.
An Introduction to Handheld Computers
A handheld computer is a mini computer that fits in the palm of your hand; other names are Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) and Pocket PC. The last 2-3 years has moved the technology leap years forward, making handheld computers into a powerful unit capable of handling multimedia, processing, and storage of large amounts of data.
Handheld computers has no "boot up" time (instantly on) which makes it quick, easy and unobtrusive.Data Entry Options
A handheld computer has a touch sensitive screen that is navigated using a special pointing pin.
There are several methods of entering text :
- Transcriber: handwriting directly on the screen is transformed into regular letters
- Letter/Block Recognizer or Graffiti: letters are written in a specified area on the screen one by one using predefined gestures (letters)
- Onscreen tap able keyboard
- External keyboard
Expansion Options
A handheld computer can be expanded using a range of peripherals including digital camera, GPS (Global Positioning System), Memory, Network/Modem card, Bluetooth, GSM / Mobile phone, Barcode scanner, portable printer, keyboard and much more
Different Types of handhelds
There are mainly 4 different types of operating systems used; Windows CE (PocketPC), PalmOS (Palm), Symbian and Linux. EpiHandy - MobileClient is developed for PocketPC with plans of porting it to Palm and Linux.
Installation
Settings and Data Synchronization
Start using
GPS (Global Positioning System)
- Setup
- Start and Stop
- Navigation
- Recording Positions (Auto / Manual / Update)
- Experiences and Devices
- Power and Battery Considerations
- GPS Related Information
Technical issues and Recomendations