Using Palmtop Computers to Collect Plant Data in the Field
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and MEQ portable data terminal (Mars Electronics International, West Chester, Pa. ). Disadvantages associated with some data loggers include relatively small character size (if a screen is present) and limited battery and memory capacity. The absence of note- taking software on many loggers is particularly vexing when factors other than the imposed treatments are sus- pected of influencing the experimen- tal results. Loggers are sometimes used by plant breeders, although specific field observations of plant selections must be converted to numerical rat- orticulturists often col- ings for data collection. using Palmtop lect experimental data in Computers to H the orchard, field, green- Portable computers house, or laboratory by recording each Some horticulturists prefer to use Collect Plant measurement or observation by hand portable computers with standard key- onto a data sheet. Information gath- board formats (QWERTY) as data-en- Data in the Field ered in this manner is then entered try terminals in the field. These devices into a computer file or calculator for are generally smaller (<20 inches on the statistical analysis. Although manual diagonal when opened) and lighter (<10 Laura Lehman-Saladal, recording is uncomplicated and adapt- pounds) than desktop computers. Three 2 3 able to a variety of settings, it can be major classes, in order of largest to K. Hickey , and T. Salada time-consuming and less efficient than smallest, are notebook, subnotebook, other methods of data collection. and palmtop computers. Using a portable computer, data Additional index word. computer Data loggers can be collected for several days or applications One alternative is to use a por- weeks before downloading is required. table, electronic data logger that al- In some cases, no downloading is nec- Summary. Agricultural research often lows information to be entered into essary because data collection and involves collecting numerical data in the user-specified categories, such as treat- analysis can be performed on the por- field, orechard or greenhouse. Tradition- ment, replicate, and measurement. table computer. Display screens on ally, horticulturists have recorded These durable instruments usually have notebook and subnotebook comput- numerical data by hand and then manually entered the information into a numerical keys and several function ers are usually larger and easier to read computer or calculator for statistical keys, thus providing a simple layout than those on data loggers. analysis. In the last decade data loggers for rapid entry. Many models have a Notebook computers are mar- and portable computers have made data display screen with <200 characters to keted as tools for business executives collection and analysis easier and more assist the user in verifying each entry as who travel frequently. Because these efficient. A palmtop computer is a small, it is made. Collected data usually is computers are designed primarily for lightweight instrument that combines the transferred to a desktop computer for use on a horizontal surface in a room best characteristics of data loggers and subsequent analysis and archiving. with a relatively narrow temperature portable computers. In our trial, palmtop Some loggers are equipped with a and humidity range, they may perform computers equipped with a spreadsheet common DOS (disk operating sys- poorly in a harsh environment such as software program were ideal for numeri- a hot, humid greenhouse. In addition, cal data entry in the field and were a cost- tem ) installed before purchase, so in- effective alternative to other devices. formation can be gathered in a com- problems may arise due to instrument puter format compatible with the desk- weight and size. When used in field top computer chosen to receive the studies with widely spaced experimen- 1 Research associate in pomology. file. Examples of loggers include the tal units, portable computers can be 2Professor of plant pathology. DataFielder 200 (Kaye Instruments, somewhat cumbersome to carry. Some 3Project associate. Bedford, Mass.), QTerm II (QSI, Salt screens are difficult to view clearly in Pennsylvania State University (PSU), Fruit Research Lake City, Utah), and FieldBook bright sunlight, especially if the screen and Extension Center, PO Box 309, Biglerville, PA (HarvestMaster, Logan, Utah). angle and contrast are not adjustable. 17307-0309. PSU Horticulture Dept. series no. 278. This research was supported in part by agricultural research For studies involving repeated funds administered by Pennsylvania Dept. of Agricul- measurements over time, some data Palmtop computers ture (PDA). Use of trade names and vendors in this loggers have a laser or visible light In the last decade, several compa- paper does not imply endorsement by PSU or PDA, nor criticism of similar products or vendors not mentioned. reader that can scan a barcode on each nies have introduced small, portable The cost of publishing this paper was defrayed in part by experimental unit (e.g., plants or plant computers, including personal orga- the payment of page charges. Under postal regulations, this paper therefore must be hereby marked advertisement parts). Examples include the nizers and palmtop computers. Per- solely to indicate this fact. OmniWand (Videx, Corvallis, Ore. ) sonal organizers, such as the Newton 159 Apple Message Pad (model 110;Apple some users may prefer to use software Two megabytes of ROM (read- Computer, Cupertino, Calif.), rely pri- that increases character size. The screen only memory) and RAM (random- marily on an electronic pen instead of a (80 x 25 characters) on the model we access memory) on the palmtop were keypad to enter information (Mann, tested was easy to read on sunny and sufficient for manipulating data sets 1994; Young and Kleiner, 1994). cloudy days because the screen angle with 50 to 200 pages of data. Adding Palmtop personal computers are small and contrast were readily adjustable. a Type II PCMCIA (personal computer (usually <6 × 8 inches when opened), Unlike most data loggers, palmtop memory card international association) lightweight (<1 pound), and relatively and notebook computers can be used card increases the nonvolatile memory durable (Mann, 1994; Young and to collect numerical data and notes in capacity 10 to 15 times the base capac- Kleiner, 1994). Palmtops usually have a the field. In our trial, brief observa- ity ( Leyenberger, 1994). If current fill keyboard with numeric and alpha- tions were recorded in a text file and trends continue, new palmtops will be betic keys and, if equipped with enough then downloaded to a desktop com- equipped with nearly as much memory memory, are capable of running soft- puter along with the data file. This as low-end desktop computers. ware programs similar to those available approach was useful to explain an oc- Most palmtops contain several for large computers (Young and Kleiner, casional missing spur or perhaps an primary and backup batteries and have 1994). Scientists involved in quality unexpected result of a treatment. If a dependable warning system that tells assurance programs in food-processing data and text files are named and saved the user when each power source be- plants have reported that palmtops are initially, users can move quickly be- comes low. Most models conserve power also useful in a laboratory setting (Martz, tween the two files without repeated by automatically shutting off after sev- 1993). saving and closing. eral minutes with no keystrokes. Even if We have used palmtops (model Small key size could be a problem the computer is turned off accidentally 100LX; Hewlett-Packard, Corvallis, for palmtop users accustomed to the without intentionally saving newly en- Ore. ) for tabulating disease lesion inci- larger keys on notebook and desktop tered data, many palmtops have a built- dence on attached apple leaves in an computers. Although our users re- in save feature to prevent data loss. For orchard. For 4 months we used ported few problems related to key use in the laboratory, an alternating palmtops to collect several hundred size, palmtops are not particularly suit- current power adapter can be used to pages of data with 150 to 200 entries able for prolonged touch-typing conserve battery life. per page. (Mann, 1994; Resnick, 1992; Young Our experience with palmtop A template for each experiment and Kleiner, 1994). On our palmtops, computers indicated that they are a was created on a desktop computer unintentional keystrokes during data useful alternative to data-acquisition and then downloaded to the palmtops. entry were few because all of the nu- devices and notebook computers for The template consisted of information meric keys are color-coded and are gathering plant data in the field. that identified the experiment, culti- located in one section of the keyboard. Palmtops were affordable, easy to use, var, tree, spur number, and each dis- Most palmtops cannot transfer saved time, and had other features ease of interest. Templates were fixed files on 3.5-inch floppy disks, but data useful to busy scientific professionals. on each palmtop so that column head- and text files can be transferred to and Several models currently on the mar- ings were always visible on the screen from a desktop computer in minutes ket deserve consideration for use as when a user scrolled to any row on the via cable or connectivity kit (Ihnatko, reliable data-collection instruments. spreadsheet. Field modification of the 1992 ). For the palmtop that we tested, spreadsheet, such as adding a column files were moved as ASCII characters Literature Cited or changing column width, was ac- using a transfer protocol such as Kermit complished with two or three key- or XMODEM. We printed each data Bulkeley, D. 1991. HP palmtop: Power in a strokes. At the end of each working file before statistical analysis so that a small package. Design News 47( 13):74-76. day, users downloaded the data to a hard copy could be scanned visually Ihnatko, A. 1992. Have data, will travel. desktop computer, but could have col- for obvious errors.