Paul Wakeford

Workplace Productivity Services
Best proposals - fastest returns - highest productivity
Home
Project Management
Data Capture
Contact
Blog
Site Map
Hardware  
Personal Computer and Laptop

The New Analysis installs and runs on:

  • Windows XP
  • Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Windows Vista Home

It has not yet been tested across a network; reports of any experiences of this would be welcome so that this matter can be documented.
Handheld

Timedex, Activity and JobPad run on the Pocket PC (PPC) on the following operating systems:

  • Windows 2002
  • Windows 2003
  • Windows Mobile 5 - in some text boxes lower case descenders are truncated - otherwise OK.
  • Windows Mobile 6 - appears to run similarly to Mobile 5
  • Windows Mobile 6.5 - no knowledge yet; current development is aimed at Mobile 5 through to 6.5.

Some earlier machines (before W2003) may have problems in running the small databases used to control user access. Specifically there have been problems with the HP Jornado PPC series. If you are going for an earlier machine you will find that the iPaqs and Dell machines back to W2002 seem to be fine. In fact, earlier development was done using these machines.
Handheld memory needs As always, the more memory you have, the better as you won't just want to run these products during studies. Excel and Notes open give you extra ability to add notes and other information. On a fairly cramped for storage 128 MB machine, all program and storage seem to work fine inside a total of 12 MB storage/program memory.
Handheld Connectivity If you have WiFi networking or Bluetooth installed, you can transfer your data folder to folder without wire usb or serial connections. Otherwise you can use the Microsoft ActiveSync option. Vista users can directly drag files between handheld and personal computer - sadly this seems not to be an option on Windows XP.
Battery and Memory Issues

On the earlier Windows 2003 equipment it was possible to lose your program installations and your data if the battery went flat; after 2 weeks, even with a new battery this was always possible. If you use one of these machines, to move your data to the PC/laptop regularly (certainly daily if you are on project. Reinstallation: If you do the correct ActiveSync install, you can use active sync to reinstall from the PC without recourse to the original install files.

None of this is a problem on the newer equipment as batteries are usually better and, even on complete battery drain, data remains for weeks or even months and years - I've never lost any.

Site design by Paul Wakeford September 2009