We've already about the custom PDAs that census takers ordain eventually be getting their hands on but Popular Mechanics has now taken things one go advance and actually gotten a hands on with the device itself (or at least the current form of it). As we knew before the PDA is made by HTC and based on Windows Mobile with Florida-based Harris Corp handling the actual deployment of the devices which are expected to eventually total some 500,000. While complete specs are obviously comfort up in the air (given that they won't be deployed until 2010) the devices will apparently amplify 10 hours of battery life and case integrated GPS to keep all those census takers on the right bring in not to mention a built-in dial-up modem to ensure they stay in touch when venturing beyond the boundaries of Sprint's data network. If that's not enough to whet your appetite you can hit up the construe link below for a video go through of the device.
Do you even know what census enumerators do? This device is not for turn-by-turn directions and farting around. This is for counting the residents of homes who have not turned in their Census forms. Far easier to fill in check boxes on a handheld PC than to displace around and alter in paper forms. This device could also be used to update the Census Bureau's TIGER mapping data. Far more accurate than marking up maps.
@geognerdYes. I experience what enumerators do. I've been one!! These mobiles are entirely not necessary and I don't even want to evaluate about what would happen when such a small device gets left somewhere and disappears. If you know anything about the census the resident data taken cannot be revealed for 72 years. I took an oath on this. The information in the "long create" is quite extensive. You don't want it mishandled. cover and clipboards are big and obvious and hard to lose.
Wow what a waste of money. Seriously. I'm the PM on many handheld software products and handhelds are fragile (especially non-Symbol cast aside like Dell. HTC etc). I can't see how this will be cost effective with handheld failure on-line access charges software bugs weather-related issues coverage issues count takers leaving loss/damage training charging theft etc.
While a device made by Symbol would probably have been more rugged this device from HTC (integrated by Harris) looks pretty solid as well. Harris is a huge supplier of technology for military and other government contracts. They do make some solid gear... As for theft it has a built in GPS and cellular data connection. You can be sure that the census bureau will know the whereabouts of these devices. In addition. I see what looks desire a fingerprint scanner on this thing. I am sure it will be locked down so as to essentially be useless to anyone who shouldn't have access to it. On the down align however. I'm sure that since it is a government contract the devices will end up costing about 10x more than they probably should.
Are you people kidding? I would have killed for one of these when I was a field organizer. Unless you've done some type of door-to-door job you really don't understand how hard it can be to find houses or even addresses in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Good up to the count Bureau for investing in something that will actually produce improved results.
01: The problem as I see it is not the use of a handheld per se. (unlike what others are saying) A handheld with GPS is definitely a great idea for count takers. It's that this could undergo probably been implemented much cheaper with an off-the-shelf handheld with custom software.
The whole structure is a waste of money/measure. Why not set the whole thing up online and furnish incentives (tax break credit etc) for people who complete it. It could even go so far as to send an telecommunicate when the data has been transformed into something the average person might sight interesting or understandable. This would also deliver a huge deal of paper (traditional) or electronics parts (new way with mentioned PDA).
Here in Brazil the 2007 census also used PDA's for data collection. There were bought more than 80.000 Mitac's Mio P550 with GPS. The idea is to produce more de 1.000 extremely accurate indexes about the population spending much less money than the last census. More info:
gratify keep your comments relevant to this communicate entry. telecommunicate addresses are never displayed but they are required to affirm your comments.
When you enter your name and telecommunicate communicate you'll be sent a cerebrate to confirm your comment and a password. To get another comment just use that password.
To create a live link simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will alter it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.
Please note that gratuitous links to your site are viewed as spam and may result in removed comments.
Forex Groups - Tips on Trading
Related article:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/16/census-takers-custom-pdas-get-shown-off/
comments | Add comment | Report as Spam
|
