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EFB.MobileThe Electronic Field Book has been the only data collection software to use on DOT projects for years now. And lets be honest, it does a pretty good job but it is a little past it's prime now but DOS based data collectors have become nearly impossible to find. Enter EFB.Mobile! EFB.Mobile is a new version of EFB and has been designed to run Windows Mobile 5.0 or Pocket PC devices and Windows CE devices. These devices will be things like Rangers, Recons As well as a laptop computer. Here are some early details:EFB Mobile will run on Windows Mobile 5.0 or Pocket PC devices and Windows CE devices. There are different program files to be used depending upon which operating system your handheld device utilizes. In all cases, Windows .NET Framework 2.0 must be installed on the device in order for EFB Mobile to operate properly. Here is a screen capture of the main interface. The soft input device (the Windows Mobile keyboard) will display in the bottom portion of the screen:
.No new major functions are going to be added but there have been some good tweaks. It will still operate pretty much the way it always has. Current StatusTesting is still being carried out but I believe that the final version is getting close. This has been quite an undertaking so naturally, it has taken time but the end result should be worth it. Of course once it is released, we will have it here. We are also working on some new CEU correspondence courses covering this new program. While I have been testing the new version, I have focused on running it on a Samsung Net Book computer. There were several reasons for this choice with the primary one being economics. You can spend in excess of $1,000 on a Windows Mobile based data collector (more if you buy one with a full keyboard) and EFB will work just fine. However, you will be limited to running programs written specifically to run on Windows Mobile. By running EFB on a laptop, you get the full power of a computer in the field and you can run anything written to run on a PC. Plus, this Net Book was only $350! Cabling is an issue as modern laptops no longer come with a 9-pin serial connection. This forces you to use a USB to 9-pin serial adapter which can cause problems. These adapters are notoriously finicky and I had to try several before I found one that would work correctly. We still get the off communication error but I am at the point where I think that they are just "one of those things" that we will have to live with. As an alternative form of communication, EFB supports Bluetooth for Leica and Topcon instruments. The Leica Bluetooth connection is strong and seems works with fine while the Topcon Bluetooth connection still has some issues. |
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GAG Computer Software, Inc.
- Post Office Box 5024 -
Gainesville, Florida - 32627-5024
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