DOCSLIB.ORG

Once Upon a Pocket: Programmable Calculators from the Late 1970S and Early 1980S and the Social Networks Around Them

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Once Upon a Pocket: Programmable Calculators from the Late 1970S and Early 1980S and the Social Networks Around Them [3B2-9] man2012030055.3d 3/8/012 15:5 Page 55 Once Upon a Pocket: Programmable Calculators from the Late 1970s and Early 1980s and the Social Networks Around Them Dejan Ristanovic´ PC Press, Serbia Jelica Protic´ University of Belgrade, Serbia Programmable pocket calculators of the mid-1970s opened up a new segment of the personal computing devices market. Calculator users established clubs, magazines, and conferences, and their interaction with manufacturers shaped the products’ further development. This article explores one of the understudied roots of personal computing, through the evolution of the user communities formed around the TI-59 and HP-41C calculators. The development of integrated circuits and marketing practices de novo.3 With program- the miniaturization of components in the mable pocket calculators, users were the pre- early 1970s made it possible to construct dominant, driving force behind software small and affordable computers. The long production; they established clubs, commu- road that led to personal computers com- nicated through magazines, and joined social mencedonseveralparalleltracks.Many networks that exceeded geographical limits. attempts to record these events started with Manufacturers welcomed this grassroots the Altair project in 1974, which Paul Ceruzzi movement that helped them enrich their called the annus mirabilis (wonderful year) software base and provide additional new of personal computing.1 Specifically, Intel user support. This article primarily focuses announced the 8080 microprocessor in the on the origins, practices, and accomplish- summer of 1974; in July Radio-Electronics ments of those programmable calculator described the Mark-8; and in late December, user communities. Popular Electronics subscribers received their January 1975 issue with an Altair prototype The Beginning of Programmable on the cover. Before all these events, in Janu- Pocket Calculators ary 1974, Hewlett-Packard introduced the The first pocket calculators were not pro- HP-65 programmable calculator, advertising grammable,4 but the Sharp EL-8 (introduced it as a personal computer,2 which according in 1970) and scientific calculators such as to Ceruzzi is possibly the first use of the the HP-35 and the TI-2500 Datamath were term ‘‘personal computer’’ in print. This useful enough to make the slide rule obsolete, launched a series of events not commonly thus replacing one of the main engineering studied in the history of computing. tools at the time.5 Recognizing this milestone, The evolution of programmable calcula- IEEE in 2009 awarded HP the prestigious IEEE tors is closely related to the development of Milestone in Electrical Engineering and Com- dedicated software. Martin Campbell-Kelly puting Award for its HP-35 scientific calcula- claimed that the personal computer software tor.6 Further advances in chip density and industry had almost no connection with the system software led to more powerful pocket preceding software industry, and therefore it calculators with memory registers, trigono- established most of its development and metric, statistical, and/or business functions. IEEE Annals of the History of Computing Published by the IEEE Computer Society 1058-6180/12/$31.00 c 2012 IEEE 55 [3B2-9] man2012030055.3d 3/8/012 15:5 Page 56 Once Upon a Pocket: Programmable Calculators from the Late 1970s and Early 1980s allowed to access a university’s mainframe, the use was restricted and there was no inter- activity.1 A programmable calculator was a truly personal device; users could carry it in their pockets and use it all day (and night). Personal computers, such as the Apple II, Commodore PET, and Tandy TRS-80 (all introduced in 1977), were also a possibility, but the first personal computers cost be- tween US$600 and US$1,300. Introduced the same year, the TI-59 only cost US$300. The difference in price, portability, and nu- merical precision, together with the fact that personal computers had full-sized qwerty keyboards and high-resolution ab graphic modes suitable for gaming, meant Figure 1. The HP-41CV and TI-59 programmable the two types of machines attracted different calculators. Due to its alphanumeric capabilities, categories of users. A new software industry 3 (a) the HP-41CV had fewer keys but more func- emerged from the early personal computers, tions than (b) the TI-59. The TI-59’s advantages with many companies selling system soft- included numerical precision and simpler access ware, productivity applications, and games. to synthetic functions. Programmable calculators took a different path. According to one TI survey,8 27 per- cent of TI-59 users were engineers, 61 per- Programming, the obvious next step, was a cent purchased their TI calculator for way to replace long, repeating sequences company or business use, and the rest bought with the press of a key. it for personal and educational use. Programming was at first rudimentary be- Researchers in many disciplines discov- cause the sequence of keystrokes was stored ered programmable calculators were valu- in the calculator’s memory. Even the term able, yet relatively inexpensive tools for ‘‘programming’’ was frequently substituted scientific calculations. Results were reported with the term ‘‘learning’’—the calculator in major scientific journals, in papers often ‘‘learned’’ how to solve a problem by per- containing program code for the TI-59 or forming a series of program steps. The only HP-41C. The research areas ranged from aero- instructions exclusively related to program- space9 and electronic systems10 to antennas ming were LRN (start ‘‘learning’’), R/S (run/ and propagation.11 Even medical research stop toggle), and RST (reset the program utilized these programmable calculators; in counter). Program editing was not particu- one example, bacteria identification was per- larly user friendly; the SST (single step) key formed with a calculator instead of the code wasusedtoreadtheprogramstepbystep, book.12 and instructions were displayed as numeric codes. Main Competitors From 1974 until 1979, HP and Texas Because of their relatively long time on the Instruments by turns introduced program- market and enthusiastic user communities, mable calculators, starting with the HP-65 yet not to ignore our personal microhistory, and TI SR-52.7 These models introduced this article is mostly devoted to two compet- flow control instructions, loops, and indirect ing calculators that dominated the market in addressing, and their program memory ca- the late 1970s and the early 1980s: the TI-59 pacity was approximately 200 bytes. Both cal- and the HP-41C (see Figure 1). The TI-59 was culators had an integrated magnetic card introduced on 24 May 1977 as the successor reader so users did not have to enter the pro- to the SR-52, which had a strong user base grams each time they turned on the calcula- and even a dedicated monthly magazine, 52 tor. An optional 20-column thermal printer Notes, published by Richard Vanderburgh. was introduced for the SR-52. The HP-41C was introduced on 16 July The first programmable calculators in- 197913 as a successor to the HP-65/67, duced new social networks of users. Main- which also had a strong user base and a dedi- frames were out of reach for average cated magazine, 65 NOTES, published by engineers, and even when students were Richard Nelson. 56 IEEE Annals of the History of Computing [3B2-9] man2012030055.3d 3/8/012 15:5 Page 57 Table 1. Comparative characteristics of the TI-59 and HP-41C. Texas Instruments TI-59 Hewlett-Packard HP-41C (1979–1985) Characteristic (1977–1983) and HP-41CV (1980–1990) Initial price US$300 US$295/325 Dimensions 16.3 Â 7.3 Â 3.6 cm 14.27 Â 7.86 Â 3.33 cm Weight 240 grams 205 grams Display type LED LCD Numeric precision 13 digits 10 digits ROM 6 Kbytes, 13-bit words 12 Kbytes/15 Kbytes, 10-bit words Memory registers 120 64/320 User memory 960 bytes 560/2,352 bytes Continuous memory No Yes Alphanumeric No Yes Sound No Beeper Magnetic card 2 Â 30 registers 2 Â 16 registers capacity Although these calculators were similar in available for purchase. The master library many ways (see Table 1), their programming contained 25 programs, with something for differed. TI used an algebraic operating sys- everybody.15 Engineers got matrix operations, tem (AOS), where the arithmetic expressions mathematicians got numeric integration, were entered the way they are written on the business people got annuities calculations, paper—for example, ‘‘1 þ 2 Â (3 þ 4) ¼’’. HP and home users got unit conversions, calen- used reverse Polish notation (RPN) based on a dar functions, and a simple game, Hi-Lo. four-register stack—for example, ‘‘1 Enter 2 Other modules included Math/Utilities, Ap- Enter 3 Enter 4 þ x þ’’, or more efficiently, plied Statistics, Real Estate, Aviation, Marine ‘‘3 Enter 4 þ 2x1þ’’. RPN gave HP calcula- Navigation, Surveying, and Leisure Library. tors a dose of exclusivity because amateurs The most talked about was the Olympic mod- couldn’t calculate even the simple expres- ule, which helped verify the results at the sions(‘‘Whereisthe¼ key?’’), whereas the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.16 The gurus could perform complex math with a programs in library modules were written in minimal number of keystrokes. the same language as user programs stored in TI-59’s RAM. The user could download Texas Instruments TI-59 any program from the module into the RAM The TI-59’s original price was US$300, which memory. Because the programs were written according to the US inflation calculator, is by excellent TI-59 programmers, there was al- equivalent to US$1,080 today. According to ways something to learn from them. the TI-59 patent,14 the most important inno- The TI-59 instruction set was limited to vation was its solid-state software module 100 instructions, which was enough for com- slot.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • P Palmtop Aper
    u.s. $7.95 Publisher's Message ................................ , Letters to the Editor .................................. ~ - E New Third Party Ln Products and Services ............................ .E ..... =Q) HP Palmtop Users Groups ...................... J E :::J User to User ............................................ 1( :z Hal reports on the excitement at the HP Handheld - P Palmtop User's Conference, a new book by David Packard "<t" describing the history of HP, our new 200LXI1000CX Q) loaner p'rogram for developers, the 1995/1996 E Subscnbers PowerDisk and some good software :::J that didn't make it into thePowerDisk, but is on this o issue's ON DISK and CompuServe. > aper PalmtoD Wisdom .................................... 2< Know ~here you stand with your finances; Keep impqrtant information with you, and keep it secure; The best quotes may not tie in the quotes books. Built·in Apps on Vacation: To Africa and Back with the HP Palmtop ....................................... 1E acafTen/ The HP 200LX lielps a couple from Maryland prepare for their dream vacation to Africa. Built·in Apps on Vacation: Editor on Vacation .................................. 2( Even on vacation, Rich Hall, managing editor for The HP Palmtop Paper, finds the Palmtop to be an indispensable companion. AP~ointment Book: ~n ~~l~epP~~'~~~~~~.~~.~~...................... 2~ Appointment Book provides basic prol'ect management already built into the HP Pa mtop. DataBase: Print Your Database in the Format You Want .......................... 3( Create a custom database and print Hout in the for­ mat you want using the built-in DataBase program and Smart Clip. Lotus 1·2·3 Column: Basic Training for 1-2-3 Users ............... 3~ Attention first-time Lotus users, or those needing a bH of a refresher - get out your HP Palmtop and fonow along with this review of the basics.
    [Show full text]
  • Wearable Technology for Enhanced Security
    Communications on Applied Electronics (CAE) – ISSN : 2394-4714 Foundation of Computer Science FCS, New York, USA Volume 5 – No.10, September 2016 – www.caeaccess.org Wearable Technology for Enhanced Security Agbaje M. Olugbenga, PhD Babcock University Department of Computer Science Ogun State, Nigeria ABSTRACT Sproutling. Watches like the Apple Watch, and jewelry such Wearable's comprise of sensors and have computational as Cuff and Ringly. ability. Gadgets such as wristwatches, pens, and glasses with Taking a look at the history of computer generations up to the installed cameras are now available at cheap prices for user to present, we could divide it into three main types: mainframe purchase to monitor or securing themselves. Nigerian faced computing, personal computing, and ubiquitous or pervasive with several kidnapping in schools, homes and abduction for computing[4]. The various divisions is based on the number ransomed collection and other unlawful acts necessitate these of computers per users. The mainframe computing describes reviews. The success of the wearable technology in medical one large computer connected to many users and the second, uses prompted the research into application into security uses. personal computing, as one computer per person while the The method of research is the use of case studies and literature term ubiquitous computing however, was used in 1991 by search. This paper takes a look at the possible applications of Paul Weiser. Weiser depicted a world full of embedded the wearable technology to combat the cases of abduction and sensing technologies to streamline and improve life [5]. kidnapping in Nigeria. Nigeria faced with several kidnapping in schools and homes General Terms are in dire need for solution.
    [Show full text]
  • Scheme of Work 2021-22 Computer Class
    Scheme of Work 2021-22 Rev. No: 01 Computer Class: III Date: 9 February 2021 Book: Computer 3 Term: I Periods of week: 2 Total teaching minutes per week: 80 minutes Duration of 1 period: 40 minutes Total Weeks: 17 weeks Week Content Week Content 1st Types of computers 9th Inside the system unit nd th 2 Types of computers 10 Inside the system unit rd th 3 Types of computers 11 Inside the system unit th th 4 Types of computers 12 Inside the system unit 5th Revision 13th Practical: Inside the system unit th th 6 Revision 14 Revision th th 7 Revision 15 Revision 16th 8th Quarterly Test First Term Exam 17th Page 1 of 5 This is a CONTROLLED & CONFIDENTIAL document of “Dr. A. Q. Khan School System”. Its unauthorized disclosure or reproduction shall be liable for prosecution under the copyright act and any other law Daily Lesson Plan (DLP) Session 2021-22 Subject: Computer Term – I Topic: Types of computer Class: III Week: 01 Learning Plan (Methodology) Time Resources Assessment Objectives By the end of this Introduction: Teacher should ask some question related to 40 Book Teacher should Lesson Students computer. min Board assess students by should be able to: Development: computer asking of: After reading the lesson teacher should tell them about four different Tell or explain main types of computer. questions about 1. Micro computer: These are most smallest and common computer computers. It is also called personal computer. These are types used in homes, school and colleges etc. these computers are divided into three types.
    [Show full text]
  • Classification of Computer
    Department Of Business Administration Dr. Rakesh Ranjan BBA Sem -2 Classification of Computer Generally, computers can be divided into 3 types. 1. Analog Computers 2. Digital Computers 3. Hybrid Computers ANALOG COMPUTERS : In this type of computers, numerical magnitudes are represented by physical quantities such as electric current, voltage, or resistance, mechanical movements, etc. These are machines which are designed to perform arithmetical functions upon numbers where the numbers are represented by physical quantity. Analog computers are widely used in manufacturing units where temperatures, pressure or flow of liquids are to be monitored continuously. It is also used at petrol pump where petrol pump contains an analog processor that connects fuel flow measurements into quantity and price values. Among the various drawbacks of using Analog computers are: They do not have the ability to store data in large quantities; They do not have the logical facilities; They can perform only arithmetical functions but are more costlier. DIGITAL COMPUTERS : A digital computer operates on data in the form of digits, rather than the physical quantities used in analog computers. That is, its input must be discrete rather than continuous and may consist of combinations of numbers, characters and special symbols, written in appropriate programming language. Digital computers can be classified into two parts: General Purpose Digital Computers They are also known as all purpose digital computers. Theoretically they can be used for any type of applications, e.g., computers that are used for payroll, graphs, analysis, etc. Special Purpose Digital Computers A digital computer is 'designed to solve problems of a restricted type.
    [Show full text]
  • A History of the Personal Computer Index/11
    A History of the Personal Computer 6100 CPU. See Intersil Index 6501 and 6502 microprocessor. See MOS Legend: Chap.#/Page# of Chap. 6502 BASIC. See Microsoft/Prog. Languages -- Numerals -- 7000 copier. See Xerox/Misc. 3 E-Z Pieces software, 13/20 8000 microprocessors. See 3-Plus-1 software. See Intel/Microprocessors Commodore 8010 “Star” Information 3Com Corporation, 12/15, System. See Xerox/Comp. 12/27, 16/17, 17/18, 17/20 8080 and 8086 BASIC. See 3M company, 17/5, 17/22 Microsoft/Prog. Languages 3P+S board. See Processor 8514/A standard, 20/6 Technology 9700 laser printing system. 4K BASIC. See Microsoft/Prog. See Xerox/Misc. Languages 16032 and 32032 micro/p. See 4th Dimension. See ACI National Semiconductor 8/16 magazine, 18/5 65802 and 65816 micro/p. See 8/16-Central, 18/5 Western Design Center 8K BASIC. See Microsoft/Prog. 68000 series of micro/p. See Languages Motorola 20SC hard drive. See Apple 80000 series of micro/p. See Computer/Accessories Intel/Microprocessors 64 computer. See Commodore 88000 micro/p. See Motorola 80 Microcomputing magazine, 18/4 --A-- 80-103A modem. See Hayes A Programming lang. See APL 86-DOS. See Seattle Computer A+ magazine, 18/5 128EX/2 computer. See Video A.P.P.L.E. (Apple Pugetsound Technology Program Library Exchange) 386i personal computer. See user group, 18/4, 19/17 Sun Microsystems Call-A.P.P.L.E. magazine, 432 microprocessor. See 18/4 Intel/Microprocessors A2-Central newsletter, 18/5 603/4 Electronic Multiplier. Abacus magazine, 18/8 See IBM/Computer (mainframe) ABC (Atanasoff-Berry 660 computer.
    [Show full text]
  • Pdas in Medicine.Pdf
    Review Personal digital assistants in health care: experienced clinicians in the palm of your hand? Daniel C Baumgart Lancet 2005; 366: 1210–22 Physicians and other health-care professionals are rapidly adopting personal digital assistants (PDA). Palm pilots Department of Medicine, and other hand-held computers are also increasingly popular among medical students. PDAs can be used for Charité Medical School, medical student education and physician training, daily clinical practice, and research. PDAs and their increasing Virchow Hospital, Humboldt- integration with information technology in hospitals could change the way health care is delivered in the future. But University of Berlin, D-13344 Berlin, Germany despite the increasing use of PDAs, evidence from well-designed research studies is still needed to show how much (D C Baumgart MD) these devices can improve the quality of care, save patients’ lives, and ultimately reduce health-care expenses. In this Correspondence to: Review of PDA use in health care, the operating systems, basic functionality, security and safety, limitations, and Dr Daniel C Baumgart future implications of PDAs are examined. A personal perspective and an introduction to medical PDA applications, [email protected] software, guidelines, and programmes for health-care professionals is also provided. Health care in the developed world is characterised by a Clinicians are rapidly adopting PDAs into their daily rapidly increasing use of information technology in practice.1 In one study, more than half of
    [Show full text]
  • The Use of Palmtop Computers for Learning a Review of the Literature
    The use of palmtop computers for learning A review of the literature Carol Savill-Smith and Phillip Kent research report The use of palmtop computers for learning A review of the literature Carol Savill-Smith and Phillip Kent Acknowledgements We would like to thank Jill Attewell, the Learning and Skills Development Agency m-learning programme manager, for her support, advice and contribution to the editing process, and Helen Rendell for assisting with the identification of research material for this review. Published by the Learning and Skills Development Agency www.LSDA.org.uk Feedback should be sent to: Information Services Learning and Skills Development Agency Regent Arcade House 19–25 Argyll Street London W1F 7LS. Tel +44 (0) 20 7297 9144 Fax +44 (0) 20 7297 9242 [email protected] Registered with the Charity Commissioners Printed in the UK 1477/08/03/2400 ISBN 1 85338 862 9 © Learning and Skills Development Agency 2003 You are welcome to copy this publication for internal use within your organisation. Otherwise, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, chemical, optical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright owner. Further information For further information about the issues discussed in this publication please contact: Jill Attewell m-learning Programme Manager Learning and Skills Development Agency. Tel +44 (0) 20 7297 9100 [email protected] This publication was supported by the Learning and Skills Council as part of a grant to the Learning and Skills Development Agency for a programme of research and development.
    [Show full text]
  • 1. Types of Computers Contents
    1. Types of Computers Contents 1 Classes of computers 1 1.1 Classes by size ............................................. 1 1.1.1 Microcomputers (personal computers) ............................ 1 1.1.2 Minicomputers (midrange computers) ............................ 1 1.1.3 Mainframe computers ..................................... 1 1.1.4 Supercomputers ........................................ 1 1.2 Classes by function .......................................... 2 1.2.1 Servers ............................................ 2 1.2.2 Workstations ......................................... 2 1.2.3 Information appliances .................................... 2 1.2.4 Embedded computers ..................................... 2 1.3 See also ................................................ 2 1.4 References .............................................. 2 1.5 External links ............................................. 2 2 List of computer size categories 3 2.1 Supercomputers ............................................ 3 2.2 Mainframe computers ........................................ 3 2.3 Minicomputers ............................................ 3 2.4 Microcomputers ........................................... 3 2.5 Mobile computers ........................................... 3 2.6 Others ................................................. 4 2.7 Distinctive marks ........................................... 4 2.8 Categories ............................................... 4 2.9 See also ................................................ 4 2.10 References
    [Show full text]
  • Configuring the Information Environment of Microcomputers with the Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System
    Configuring the Information Environment of Microcomputers with the Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System Felix Kasparinsky[0000-0002-1048-9212] MASTER-MULTIMEDIA Ltd, Entuziastov Shosse 98-3-274, Moscow 111531, Russia [email protected] Abstract. Since 2015, microcomputers have appeared in the information envi- ronment, which are a compact system unit with minimal functionality without peripherals. The article published the results of the analysis of the use of 6 dif- ferent microcomputers in various fields of activity. The purpose of the study is to determine the limiting factors affecting the efficiency of the targeted use of microcomputers. It has been established that for scientific and educational presentations, office and trading activities, it is cur-rently advisable to use fan- less microcomputers with a perforated case and an internal WiFi antenna, at least 4 GB of operational and 64 GB of permanent memory, and a microSD (TF) memory card slot, at least 128 GB, NTFS file system), Intel HD Graphics, USB3.0 and HDMI interfaces. Based on comparative experiments, methodolog- ical recommendations were created on optimizing the configuration of the hardware-software environment of microcomputers in stationary and mobile conditions. The problems of major updates to Windows 10, as well as the com- patibility of Microsoft Store software and third-party manufacturers, are ana- lyzed. It is recommended to specialize individual microcomputers for working with 32-bit applications; accounting and cryptographic programs; as well as conducting presentations with their video. Options for optimal configuration of the Start menu of the Windows 10 desktop are suggested. It is concluded that specialization in the hardware-software configuration of modern microcomput- ers allows you to increase the efficiency of using single de-vices and their paired systems in accordance with BYOD (Bring Your Own Device).
    [Show full text]
  • The Itsy Pocket Computer
    O C T O B E R 2 0 0 0 WRL Research Report 2000/6 The Itsy Pocket Computer Joel F. Bartlett Lawrence S. Brakmo Keith I. Farkas William R. Hamburgen Timothy Mann Marc A. Viredaz Carl A. Waldspurger Deborah A. Wallach Western Research Laboratory 250 University Avenue Palo Alto, California 94301 USA The Western Research Laboratory (WRL), located in Palo Alto, California, is part of Compaq's Corporate Research group. WRL was founded by Digital Equipment Corpora- tion in 1982. Our focus is information technology that is relevant to the technical strategy of the Corporation, and that has the potential to open new business opportunities. Research at WRL includes Internet protocol design and implementation, tools for binary optimization, hardware and software mechanisms to support scalable shared memory, graphics VLSI ICs, handheld computing, and more. Our tradition at WRL is to test our ideas by extensive software or hardware prototyping. We publish the results of our work in a variety of journals, conferences, research reports, and technical notes. This document is a research report. Research reports are normally accounts of completed research and may include material from earlier technical notes. We use technical notes for rapid distribution of technical material; usually this represents research in progress. You can retrieve research reports and technical notes via the World Wide Web at: http://www.research.compaq.com/wrl/ You can request printed copies of research reports and technical notes, when available, by mailing your order to us at: Technical Report Distribution Compaq Western Research Laboratory 250 University Avenue Palo Alto, California 94301 USA You can also request reports and notes via electronic mail.
    [Show full text]
  • Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)/Handheld Devices: Integrated Field Data Collection
    Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)/Hand- held Devices: Integrated Field Data Collection (Electronic Questionnaire + GPS, etc.) Amor LAARIBI UN-GGIM Secretariat UN Statistics Division New York Positioning geospatial information to address global challenges ggim.un.org Overview of the Presentation Challenges with Paper-based Data Collection/Processing Moving to PDA/Handheld-based Data Collection/Processing: . An Integrated Approach . Key Features . Advantages vs Disadvantages Implementation/Organizational Aspects Challenges/Recommendations Positioning geospatial information to address global challenges ggim.un.org Paper-based Data Collection Paper-and-Pencil Handheld Interviewing (PAPI) devices Paper-based Data Collection Self-administrated Questionnaire Internet Positioning geospatial information to address global challenges Atelier régional des Nations Unies sur le ggim.un.org traitement des données Paper-based Approach Data Collection Data Entry Data Coding/Editing -Key entry/computer-assisted Manual Manual - OMR/OCR/ICR Computer-assisted Data Coding/Editing Data Collection/Entry/Coding/Editing (partial) PDA ‘s Automated/built-in Manual Approach Computer-assisted Positioning geospatial information to address global challenges ggim.un.org Challenges with Paper-based Data Collection/ Processing Inefficient information gathering . Slow and time-consuming . Re-keying information is inefficient and increases chance of error . Paper-based forms increase chance of error . Submitting multiple forms for a single process . Cannot capture value-added data (e.g. geographic data) Data Integrity and Authenticity: . No way to check that the data entered is correct . No cross checking with third-party data sources Positioning geospatial information to address global challenges ggim.un.org Moving to PDA/Handheld Devices Personal Digital Assistant: . “A personal digital assistant (PDA) is a handheld computer, also known as small or palmtop computer.” PDA vs Handheld computer/Tablet: .
    [Show full text]
  • Extending Mobile Computer Battery Life Through Energy-Aware Adaptation
    Extending Mobile Computer Battery Life through Energy-Aware Adaptation Jason Flinn CMU-CS-01-171 December 2001 School of Computer Science Computer Science Department Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Thesis Committee: M. Satyanarayanan, Chair Todd Mowry Dan Siewiorek Keith Farkas, Compaq Western Research Laboratory Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Copyright c 2001 Jason Flinn This research was supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) under contracts F19628-93-C-0193 and F19628-96-C-0061, DARPA, the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWAR) / U.S. Navy (USN) under contract N660019928918, the National Science Foundation (NSF) under contracts CCR-9901696 and ANI-0081396, IBM Corporation, Intel Corporation, AT&T, Compaq, Hughes, and Nokia. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the author and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies or endorsements, either express or implied, of DARPA, AFMC, SPAWAR, USN, the NSF, IBM, Intel, AT&T, Compaq, Hughes, Nokia, Carnegie Mellon University, the U.S. Govern- ment, or any other entity. Keywords: Energy-aware adaptation, application-aware adaptation, power manage- ment, mobile computing, ubiquitous computing, remote execution Abstract Energy management has been a critical problem since the earliest days of mobile com- puting. The amount of work one can perform while mobile is fundamentally constrained by the limited energy supplied by one’s battery. Although a large research investment in low-power circuit design and hardware power management has led to more energy-efficient systems, there is a growing realization that more is needed—the higher levels of the system, the operating system and applications, must also contribute to energy conservation.
    [Show full text]